My first introduction to French Black/Death crazies Svart Crown came on 2010's Witnessing The Fall, which in all honestly left me with the impression of nothing more then solid undistinguishable blackened death metal. None the less I was still eager to do this review. The one thing that sets French BM and most French extreme metal apart from the rest of the world is their unusual and often time bizarre approach to composition, which may be why I was a bit underwhelmed with Svart Crown the first time around as there really wasn't anything resembling bizarre here. So let it begin. Opening the album with the brief instrumental MANIFESTATIO SYMPTOMS, clocking in at under 1:30 sets the tone for the oncoming assault without over staying it's welcome. Opening salvo GENESIS ARCHITECT get the affair going, structure wise hinting at a bit of Morbid Angel, but the comparison ends there. The compositions offer variety and are intricate in their execution. Certain melodies seem repetitive but at time hypnotic in nature. The standout track for me by far is IN UTERO-A PLACE OF HATRED AND THREAT, a hateful punch in the face that also offers up some nice grooves that surely will get some necks snapping. Svart Crown are obviously precise with their instruments, the chaotic dissonant riffing may bring some to mind of Immolation but it never gets to the point of blatant plagerism, as Svart Crown adds enough black to their madness to keep from falling into being a straight up death metal band. VENOMOUS RITUAL was another standout track with it's slow rumbling bass line and atmospheric dirgy Black Metal riffs showcasing a band that is able to mix things up without losing their essence. Another highlight for me was the drumming. New sticksman Nicolas Muller is fantastic displaying skill in his speed as well as his fills. At 43:16 this album doesn't overstay it's welcome with filler. In closing I will say that this is if nothing else a solid slab of Black/Death and while this might not be the breakthrough album for these French maniacs, keep sharpening the knives boys, your almost there.

                                                                                                                                             7.5/10
                                                                                                                                 Review by G.Dutko