Crown of Madness’ debut full-length album, Memories Fragmented, is a masterful dive into the realms of dissonant death metal, unveiling a profound evolution in their sound. Building on the foundation of their earlier short-form releases, the band has crafted a record that is as emotionally stirring as it is technically accomplished. To be released on February 28, 2025, via Transcending Obscurity Records, this album challenges genre conventions while embracing its introspective core, offering a refreshing take on a style often dominated by sheer brutality.
What immediately sets Memories Fragmented apart is its deeply personal and emotive tone, which contrasts with the detached harshness typically associated with dissonant death metal. Tracks like “When I Don’t Remember You” and “Ashes of Mine” weave hypnotic, melancholic melodies into the chaos, making the listener feel the weight of the album’s introspection. Sunshine Schneider’s layered guitar work and commanding vocals, coupled with Connor Gordon’s dynamic drumming, create a seamless interplay between mournful atmospheres and relentless aggression.
The album’s structure is a highlight, with a calculated ebb and flow that becomes increasingly addictive. Hypnotic riffs build momentum, punctuated by bursts of intense blast beats, as heard on tracks like “Sovereign Blood” and “Sea of Fangs.” This undulating pattern draws the listener into a trance-like state, where the combination of melody and dissonance is nothing short of mesmerizing.
While it remains rooted in the dissonant death metal tradition exemplified by bands like Ulcerate and Gorguts, Memories Fragmented brings a melodic, almost cinematic quality that’s seldom explored in this niche. The closing track, “The Grand Design,” serves as a perfect example, offering a culmination of the album’s themes with its intricate composition and sweeping emotional resonance.
Visually, the album’s artwork by Erskine Designs complements its sonic depth, depicting fragmented and surreal imagery that mirrors the record’s introspective journey.
Crown of Madness has delivered an ambitious and beautifully tempered album with Memories Fragmented. Devoid of pretension, it is an honest, poignant work that stands as a landmark release in dissonant death metal. For fans of the genre—or those looking for an entry point into its depths—this is an essential listen.
Standout Tracks: “When I Don’t Remember You,” “Dreamless Nights No Longer,” “Sea of Fangs,” “The Grand Design”
For Fans Of: Ulcerate, Devenial Verdict, Dysgnostic, Gorguts
Track Listing –
1. Visions From A Past Life
2. Sovereign Blood
3. Burdened
4. Ashes of Mine
5. When I Don’t Remember You
6. Deafening
7. Sea of Fangs
8. Dreamless Nights No Longer
9. Hollow Thresher
10. The Grand Design
