Kings Crown cd review by Angelic Warlord

King’s Crown founding members Dadion Lester (guitars) and Shelly Proctor (drums) can trace their history to two early eighties Richmond, Virginia based bands, The Strokers and Axeworthy respectively.  The musical bond between the two was forged when The Strokers let their drummer go and subsequently hired Proctor.  The Strokers later disbanded with the end result being Lester and Proctor putting together Hot Trigger, another Richmond area band that developed a loyal fan base in addition to being offered a deal with a major label.  With drugs and alcohol taking their toll, however, Hot Trigger turned down the deal and soon broke up.
As the years passed, Lester began to amass a wealth of new material with a lyrical direction reflecting the faith based upbringing of his past.  Developing the vision for an album influenced by his hard rocking roots and newly found lyrical inspiration, Lester got in touch with Mike Temple, a talented bassist whom he performed with in a reunited version of The Strokers.  A phone call out of the blue from Proctor, who recently had come to the faith, solidified the drummer position while a song service leader at a local church, Eddie Sparrow, was recruited to handle lead vocals.  Hence, King’s Crown was born.
The 2008 independently released full length debut from King’s Crown can best be described as a joining of hard rock, classic rock, instrumental rock and acoustic based ballads.

When King’s Crown hits the nail on the head songwriting wise, it does not get much better.  The group puts its best foot forward on straightforward hard rockers such as the driving “For Christ’s Sake”, Rez Band flavored “Can’t Keep Me Down”, mega melodic “Passion Statement” and all out metal of “C/O A Raging Fool”.  King’s Crown can head in creative instrumental territory (“There’s A Place Part 2”) while delivering a ballad with a hard rock edge as well (“Like Jesus” and “The Plan”).
King’s Crown proves a talented outfit.  It all starts with the mid-octave vocal sensibilities of Eddie Sparrow, whose gritty vocal style perfectly suits both the hard rockers (“Can’t Keep Me Down” finds him adding an edge of grit to his delivery) and ballads (he provides a smoother touch on “Like Jesus”).
Sparrow forms a monster guitar team with Lester.  The two combine for the upfront crunch on rhythm guitar on the albums heavier pieces while Lester provides for the albums tasty lead work (“Can’t Keep Me Down”, “Passion Statement” and “The Plan” showcase this best). 
Production values shine for an independent release.  Give credit to King’s Crown for their competencies in the studio.
 
The driving “For Christ’s Sake” displays the bands potential.  Compelled its length by a razor edged rhythm guitar, the song brings the type of high energy momentum and profound chorus hook guaranteed to keep you coming back time and again.  The album deserves to include a few more hard rockers along this line.  “For Christ’s Sake” is a song of faith:
My feet are on the rock
And I came home
Lord you were there waiting for me
You’ve seen me in my bad times
And my good
“Can’t Keep Me Down” proves three minutes of muscle with its slamming wall of rhythm guitar and grit-laden vocal approach.  Plenty of snarling guitar leads decorates this one – Lester puts on a literal clinic here – as does the powerhouse drumming of Proctor.  Put this one on Rez Band classics such as Silence Screams and Innocent Blood and it would sound right at home.  Finding salvation is the subject at hand:
Well I was lost but now I’m found
When He came in and turned me around
I’m walkin’ tall and standin’ proud
With God the world can’t keep me down
He’s the answer, gave all His only Son
To help us follow the road
 
“Passion Statement”, by far the albums best track, is a welcome return to hard rock.  The song begins to narration detailing the betrayal and crucifixion as a bass guitar solo underlines the terse environs.  “Passion Statement” proceeds to plow ahead at a dogged mid-paced clip, spanning its verse portions and pointed chorus in giving rise to quite the abundant melody.  Lester tears it up on lead guitar.  Lyrically, “Passion Statement” makes exactly that:
 
“The Plan” is a flowing piece combining elements of the acoustic and electric (similar to “Like Jesus” but heavier and reflecting more of a semi-ballad touch).  Relaxed and laid back in tincture, the song proves masterful with its refreshing acoustic laced passages – backed by a pronounced bass guitar – and others heading in a more hard rocking direction.  If anything, the albums crystal clear production values really shine here.  As does the bands lyrical propensity:
Got on my knees and started to pray
Dear God don’t let it end this way
He said you must understand
That you are part of the master plan
Seek me first, take my hand
And I will lead you to the promised land
 
 
“Infidels”, the albums sixth acoustic track, begins to narration from former President Bush.  The only difference this time is that a string section highlights the backdrop.  Lyrically, “Infidels” represents King’s Crown take on the war against terror:
Sorry I’m not that naïve
Killing people in the name of their God
Have religion on your sleeve
Kill them there and they won’t come
Over here
Where will we be in 2093
Where do Allah’s people go
In the end we’re all infidels my friend
Without God’s word to help us grow
Hard rocker “C/O A Raging Fool” also opens to narration, this time from Tom Brokaw as he depicts the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  The song soon dives into an aggressive guitar riff, plowing ahead relentlessly as quite the energetic environs is put into place.  Momentum does not let up until the halfway point for a passage upheld for a quietly played guitar.  This stands out as by far the albums heaviest piece.  “C/O A Raging Fool” builds upon the themes present on “Infidels”:
I’m from a third world nation
Hidden from investigation
I’ll take your life if it’s worth ending
To make a point that’s condescending
It it’s a week
If it’s a year
Time is on my side
Say that I’m wrong you’ll get a bomb
C/O a raging fool…
 
Track Listing: “Introduction” (:59), “For Christ’s Sake” (4:23), “Can’t Keep Me Down” (2:57), “One More Day” (4:05), “I Know A Man” (3:49), “Passion Statement” (4:22), “Like Jesus” (3:38),  “The Plan” (4:42), “Victory” (1:39), “My Sweet Jesus” (4:19), “Infidels” (3:27), “C/O A Raging Fool” (4:12), “There’s A Place” (5:13), “There’s A Place 2” (5:59)
Musicians
Eddie Sparrow – Lead Vocals & Guitars
Dadion Lester – Guitars & Mandolin
Mike Temple – Bass
Shelly Proctor – Drums
Guest Musicians
Bettie Gill – Vocals
Bob Quarles – Keyboards
Kerry Lester – Tambourine
Chris Lester - Cowbell