Religious metal is often stereotyped as being low quality or corny. That stereotype is no longer true, as some of the best metal albums in recent years were made by religious people. One of the most prominent examples is Crowned in Sorrow. It is a one-man band formed by Derek Corzine sometime around 2019. They released their full-length debut In Memoriam around the beginning of this year, and when I listened to it, I was amazed, for not only did it display musical proficiency, but also great spiritual power.
The band combines doom-death metal with a large amount of melody. The production is pristine. Everything can be heard clearly while remaining heavy. The musical skill put on display is impeccable. The drums mainly play slow beats that are sometimes subtle and other times hard-hitting. There are also moments when they include double bass and elaborate fills. Aside from traditional metal instruments, they also include classical instruments such as the cello and organ on “Ashes”, as well as the piano on “Remembrance”.
The guitar work is excellent. As is typical of doom-death, they fill up the music with simple yet crushing slow-paced power chords. They play palm-muted riffs when they pick up the pace, and there are even parts where they play thick chugging riffs. On “We Carried Your Body”, they turn into a full-blown dirge. However, it’s the melodic sections where they truly shine. Their glorious, uplifting sound serves as a stark contrast to the dark and depressing chords. The album also features many solos, all of which are beautifully crafted.
The vocals are the best part. The primary style is a deep growl that is performed extremely well and can get even more guttural on songs like “Blue to Gray”. What really interested me, though, were the clean vocals. They were performed with a level of passion that few bands can hope to match, and it paid off because they sound magnificent. Derek sings straight from the soul, and “Far Beyond Death” is his best performance here. Speaking of which, that song also features guest vocals from DC Mills of Vials of Wrath, who performs excellent rasping screams.
Many metal bands write songs about death, but Crowned in Sorrow is one of the few bands that does so in a thoughtful and heartfelt manner. Every track deals with someone or something in the frontman’s life that has died, but there are three in particular that truly stand out to me. “Far Beyond Death” is the best song on the album, both instrumentally and lyrically. It speaks of how death is not the cessation of existence as the modern world says but a doorway from the material to the spiritual, and we all have to cross through it one day. Derek performs clean vocals for the chorus, which reads:
“Far beyond the reach of death
There is a place of pure life
Only to be found
Through faith in Jesus Christ”
When I first heard that, I was in awe of its beauty. I can’t even remember the last time a metal song touched me on such a deep emotional level.
“Ending It All” is a song about suicide. The main character is in despair over the tyrannical lockdown measures that have been forced upon him by his government, so he decides to end it all. This story is sadly too common. Certain metal bands tend to glorify suicide, but Crowned in Sorrow warns against it in the chorus.
“Step into His light
Don't give up the fight
You are worth more
A soul worth fighting for”
“We Carried Your Body” describes a funeral. It’s amazing from a songwriting perspective because the mood of the instrumental work matches the mood of the lyrics. The first part of the song is dark and dreary, full of crushing riffs and sorrowful verses.
“The rain was cold
The air was thick
The north wind wrapped around my neck
Sending chills deep within
The gathering shivers
Hearing the final words
“From ash to ash
dust to dust”
Then the tone becomes uplifting as it shows how the righteous will enter His heavenly kingdom upon death.
“The celebration of your life
As mourners gather round
Now the Almighty God beckons you
To receive your Heavenly Crown”
In Memoriam is one of the greatest doom-death albums ever recorded. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s one of the best metal albums of all time. The instrumental work is fantastic, the growls are powerful, the clean singing is heart-touching, and most importantly of all, it has soul. That is why it resonates with me so much. Not only does it feel authentic and sincere, not only does it speak highly of God and the transcendental, but it also feels transcendental. Listening to this album is a religious experience that is not easily forgotten. I know I’ll cherish it for a long time.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.