Crownshift are the newest Finnish melodic death metal band set to take the world by storm. While most of the promotional material heralds Crownshift as an act comprised of members from Nightwish, Wintersun, Children of Bodom, Finntroll, etc — which is technically correct — it’s probably more apt to describe the band as a reunion of old friends. Guitarist Daniel Freyberg, drummer Heikki Saari, and bassist Jukka Koskinen all performed together in the final incarnation of the Norther, and their reunion with the inclusion of Tommy Tuovinen (MyGrain) is how Crownshift was conceived. While there can certainly be no denying the pedigree of these musicians and the quality of their other musical endeavors, how does the debut album from their newest band stand up?

As an opening track, Stellar Halo sets the bar very high as a groove-inspired melodic death metal outing. This anthemic-sounding song captures all the quintessential beats of a modern melodeath track from its fast-paced verse to its incredibly melodic chorus. Throwing in a very recognizable Finnish-sounding interlude that will instantly resonate with listeners is the icing on the proverbial cake, making this an incredible opener and introduction to Crownshift as a whole.

The second track Rule the Show diverges greatly, sounding like it has been pulled from Devin Townsend’s playbook being ambient and ethereal, and at times almost transcendent, while also strongly integrating core melodic death metal stylings to keep it grounded in the band’s wheelhouse.

A World Beyond Reach is next and channels a different vibe by embedding an infectious groove through its backline as a platform to exemplify many unique moments in this track. Whether that be its uplifting chorus; an unbelievable solo two-thirds of the way through; quiet musical moments and pauses and many more, there are so many elements that make this song an immersive experience from beginning to end.

If You Dare is probably the first track that will instantly evoke comparisons between Crownshift and other bands, namely Children of Bodom, with its heavy set key-laden verses. However, the chorus changes the dynamic being very melodic and sounding like something fellow-countrymen Omnium Gatherum might deliver, and there’s even a staccato vocalised section that has Tuovinen attempting his best David Draiman impersonation. This track isn’t all ‘comparisons’ though as while it’s easy to point to these clear influences, the sum of all these parts is quite a transformative and unique piece of work that embodies the best parts of all these acts and expands on them to create something familiar but also unique at the same time.

My Prison follows and flips the script on the band’s previously established sound with the slower track embodying introspective undertones that suit the lyrical content perfectly. With a stellar solo offering reprieve from the melancholic opening of this song and its energetic conclusion, this song beautifully showcases the breadth of what the band can achieve.

Shifting gears again, The Devils Drug opens with an energy and power that have little before been seen on the album. This track instantly evoked Hate Crew Death Roll vibes and its influence throughout is easy to see, and with its galloping bassline carrying the track it goes super hard.

As an instrumental, penultimate track Mirage evokes a sense of early 1990’s melodic death metal as an atmospheric outing that cascades its musical elements beautifully. Each musical layer intertwines perfectly to create a piece that is emotive and constantly fluctuating in a way that very few instrumental tracks can be. Bordering on Rock, progressive metal, melodic death metal, and ambience alone this track really caters to all listeners.

Closing out with a mammoth 10-minute long offering To The Other Side the band delivers a track that embraces all of the aforementioned genres to perfectly conclude the album. Leaning hard into the thrashier side of melodeath in its opening, before hitting an infectiously groovy section during the middle of the song, and transitioning into an ambient prog offering towards its conclusion. Several individual performances could be pointed out on this one, with Saari’s blast beats in the earlier chorus’ and Freyberg’s rock-inspired guitar solo towards the conclusion of the song as two that instantly come to mind. To describe this song as anything other than a journey would be a disservice as this is one track that takes the listener on an incredible adventure.

Musically there is so much to like about this release. While there can be no denying the presence that each member’s other projects have had on the band’s songwriting, Crownshift still manages to find a way to carve out their own unique identity. Flirting between rock, melodic death metal progressive metal and the nexus of genres in between, this self-titled album offers listeners a delectable palate of songs for all occasions, and for the most part, really sticks the landing.

With solid instrumentation that is more workman than extravagant, and with a diverse vocal display from Tuovinen, Crownshift’s debut offering fills a void that melodic death metal has been sorely missing for a few years. While the release of this album won’t set the world on fire, it should be on your radar and one that will grow on listeners over time.