Northern Crown – In A Pallid Shadow

Northern Crown
In A Pallid Shadow
July 3, 2020
38:41

“In A Pallid Shadow” is the third album by the US doomsters Northern Crown, this time (partially) financed with crowdfunding. The Americans have been able to keep the two-year rhythm.

With “Leprosarium” the album starts as one can expect. Dark riffs, strong, sublime vocals, dark organ sounds and a great solo in the middle. One of the faster songs on the record. Because already with “The Last Snowfall” the pace and heaviness are reduced a little. The song develops like a number that other doom bands have played before and many more will afterwards. But it is also not easy to fabricate great innovations in the Epic Doom sector. A well-crafted song with beautiful melodies. Real ballads, on the other hand, are a rarity. But Northern Crown serve us with “A Vivid Monochrome” a pure ballad that makes one or the other cold chill run down the spine. Gentle piano sounds, soulful vocals, strings and towards the end the guitar can come up with a terrific solo.

“8 Hours” then has to offer the genre-typical characteristics again. Interrupted by an acoustic middle section and interspersed with a wonderful keyboard melody, excessive boredom is very well prevented. With the more than 9-minute “Observing” the album is ended appropriately. Here, too, the Doom standard is loosened up with acoustic interludes and spoken word passages, whereby the band tries to stand out from the crowd of like-minded competitors.

With “In A Pallid Shadow”, Northern Crown certainly don’t have to hide behind the latest releases from competitors like Candlemass or Sorcerer. Even if it turned out to be quite short for my taste with less than 39 minutes. But this kept the level high and avoided unnecessary fillers.

Northern Crown – Leprosarium: https://youtu.be/_twfdyxb_Xc

Lineup:

Leona Hayward – Bass, Guitars (lead)
Zachary Randall – Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals (backing)
Frank R. Serafine – Vocals, Guitars

Guests

Evan Hensley – Guitars (lead)
Dan Konopka – Drums

Track list:

• Leprosarium
• The Last Snowfall
• A Vivid Monochrome
• 8 Hours
• Observing