Review: Danzig – Black Laden Crown

Many of you will be familiar with Danzig due to the now legendary horror punk outfit ‘The Misfits’. Even if you are not familiar with their music; the imagery, art work and logo has endured way past the band’s too short life and you simply cannot go to a metal / punk night or gig without seeing at least someone wearing one of their t-shirts. For me I first became aware of Danzig as a band in their own right. It was from a Def Jam Rick Rubin produced taster album in the late 80’s early 90’s that I became first aware of them. I can still remember being hit by the darkness of the track and being intrigued by the sound which to my young ears sounded almost alien in its pace and delivery. Rick Rubin may now be better known for reinvigorating people’s careers but during the 80’s and 90’s he was THE metal producer to have on board; producing classics such as Slayers “Reign in Blood, Slayer “South in Heaven”, Public Enemy and LL Cool J as well as all the early Danzig records. Def Jam were the label for music misfits and Rick Rubin the producer at the helm.

Danzig themselves have had a bit of a hiatus reforming The Misfits in between albums for some special anniversary shows so Black Laden Crown is the first album of new material in 7 years. I for one was looking forward to this day. As you can probably imagine Danzig produce doomsy, blusey records and they have not really deviated from that template the whole time. Black Laden Crown is not about to do this either but what Danzig have produced is yet another stellar album for the collection and one that would go in the top echelons of that collection. Its dark, very dark at times. It’s heavily doomsy but they seem to have almost spilt a little of that Misfit’s horror into the edges.

I have always enjoyed a little bit of doom and in the last few years even more so. So Black Laden Crown completely suits where I am right now and album opener “Black Laden Crown” itself is the prime example of this genre. It has Danzig’s thick treacle, part reincarnated Johnny Cash, part spokesperson of the ages voice, over one of the doomiest, slow paced but somehow invigorating riffs going. Add to this the group chants and it should sound like a doom rock cliché but somehow escapes this. Perhaps it is the signature Danzig guitar solos or much more likely it is just that Danzig have perfected their art. What an album opener, dark doom and addictive.

If I loved the opening track than ‘Eyes Ripping Fire’ is the perfect accompaniment. Slightly more upbeat (but still using that slow punk style underbeat to all their songs) it continues with the same doom sequences but then ups the pace with some heavier riffs but it is paced and timed so perfectly. Vocal wise, it’s great, the verse’s have a rhythm to it that perfectly matches the mood of the album. What draws you in to this album is the synergy between the pace, the mood, atmosphere and this vocal rhythm. You almost believe it is witchcraft. Take the next track for example “Devil on Hwy 9”. It was exactly the right time to introduce a meaner, heavier riff solo driven start to a song. It’s dirtier, it’s exciting but not once does the band lose that voodoo driven rhythm and pace. That is synergy.

The way that Danzig draw you into their records has always been their strength and this record really is no different. If anything, it draws you even more so. Songs like “Last Ride” just continue to bang away at your subconscious with the continual steady punctuated but slow beat. Hypnotic and a perfect background for lead solos, elongated vowels and Danzig songs. One track I really did enjoy is “The Witching Hour”, it bugged me a little at the beginning because it reminded me of something and I could not really put my finger on what, but it is the vocal annotations at the beginning, it is The Doors ‘Riders on the Storm” but Danzig style. It has that expansiveness of the original track, the only difference is whereas The Doors always sounded like they were on a slow trippy dream Danzig seems to live in this hour all the time. ‘The Witching Hour’ suits them well.

I could go into a detailed track by track analysis of this album, but really albums are there for you to discover on your own. It is worth mentioning “Blackness Falls” towards the end of the album though. Yet another sterling track, on an album of sterling tracks. It’s as claustrophobic as the title suggests, again that pace and rhythm is there, and that synergy with the vocals. It’s a like a never-ending spell.

This is a great record from a great band. For me this really does rival their early period and on some levels, surpasses it. Maybe because, I am older now and this suit’s me better; maybe Danzig have never left that zone as twilight moves into the later hours and they occupy and become masters of the night. Whatever, by the end of this record you will be hypnotized and want to join the Danzig Army. The Head Witches of Doom are back showing all Doomsters how it is done.

Black Laden Crown is out Friday 26th May

Danzig: official | facebook

 

 

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