Work has been completed on “Of Love and Death”, the new album from the German Epic Metal band CROM. Formed in 1997 by former DARK FORTRESS guitarist Walter “Crom” Grosse, the new album will be CROM’s sixth release and a follow up to 2008’s critically acclaimed “Vengeance”. Produced by Grosse himself, and engineered by Victor Bullok at the latter’s At The Crypt Studios, the line up on the album comprises Crom on vocals, guitars, bass and choirs, Seraph (DARK FORTRESS, NONEUCLID, REVAMP) on drums and V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS, TRIPTYCON, CELTIC FROST) on additional guitars and choirs. Artwork for the album will once again be by the noted artist Kris Verwimp, a long-time friend of Grosse’s. Two tracks from the new album can be heard on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/cromsrevengeWhilst “Vengeance” dealt with love and loss in the heroic settings of legendary kings and warriors, “Of Love and Death” still features Grosse’s soaring vocals and epic melodies, but this time the same themes are dealt with on a much more personal and intimate level. “Vengeance was the album that really defined CROM’s sound in terms of melody and vocals” explained Grosse, “and I was always drawn to the subject of the doomed hero, weary and disillusioned with fighting, but knowing that he has to go on until his death, because it’s the honourable thing to do. However, many people interpreted that album as being either “Pagan” or “Viking”, which was never my intention musically. CROM’s music is very definitely “Crom” and hopefully the new album will not have to have such a narrow definition attached to it”.
“Of Love and Death” includes a completely re-arranged and re-recorded version of “The Fallen Beauty” a song that has become something of a signature for CROM, and is included as a bonus track on the nine-track album. A label is currently being sought for the release of “Of Love and Death”, and a live line up is being put together after a hiatus in live performances. Track listing as follows:
1. Reason to Live
2. Lifetime - The Fallen Beauty Part II
3. Just One Blink
4. The Oceans Wide
5. My Song For All The Broken Hearts
6. My Destiny
7. This Dying World
8. Eternal Dreaming
9. The Fallen Beauty 2010 (Bonus Track)
Source: Press Release
