“Of Love and Death”, the second full-length album from German Epic Metallers CROM is set for release on Pure Steel Records on the 25thNovember. 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, TRIPTYKON, ex CELTIC FROST) on additional guitars and choirs. Artwork for the album is once again by the noted artist Kris Verwimp, an old friend and collaborator of Grosse’s. Long-time CROM fans may recognise two tracks on the new album. “My Destiny” first appeared on the now much sought-after 2004 Demo, whilst “The Fallen Beauty” featured on the EP of the same name, but both have been re-recorded for “Of Love and Death”. Track listing on “Of Love and Death” 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)
Whilst CROM’s debut full length album “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 fighting battles he knows he can’t win. The music side of both albums was, in fact, recorded at the same time, but the songs on “Vengeance” were chosen to reflect the warrior’s point of view, whilst the ones that I wanted to include on “Of Love and Death” were the ones that we could all relate to on a day to day level. I appreciate that fans see CROM as synonymous with the fantasy warrior aspects, and that “Of Love and Death” might come as a bit of a surprise. Maybe we should look at is as the “calm before the storm” of the next album”.
CROM’s deal with Pure Steel Records is for two albums, and work has already begun on the follow up to “Of Love and Death”, and if the title “When Northmen Die” is anything to go by, it promises a return to the Pagan/Viking themes that Grosse’s fans are more familiar with, as well as a heavier sound. More information about CROM, including a background to all the releases with comments from Grosse about his thinking behind them can be found on the band’s newly designed website.
The SoundCloud player which contains “Reason to Live” from “Of Love and Death” as well as a medley made up of tracks from the album, together with tracks from “Vengeance.”
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