Portrait : Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae

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by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae is the second album from Swedish traditional heavy metal revivalists Portrait, and the first to feature new vocalist Per Karlsson (who also fronts Overdrive). With their more evil sound and occult-themed lyrics, Portrait is a darker alternative to bands like Wolf, White Wizzard and Enforcer, one that takes its cues more from King Diamond and Mercyful Fate than Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

If you’re into this kind of music, Portrait is the kind of band you have to love. They execute their twin lead guitar sound brilliantly, thrashing away when called for, serving up some absolutely mesmerizing solos, and keeping things melodic (they’re a Swedish band after all) throughout. The driving rhythms and wicked guitar work is accentuated perfectly by Portrait’s new singer. Karlsson’s vocals aren’t as much of a dead-on King Diamond impression as Phillip Svenefelt’s, but he brings more power and depth to the band’s sound while still delivering an impressive falsetto.

Obviously Mercyful Fate and King Diamond serve as the template for Portrait’s sound, but there is also an old school NWOBHM vibe on Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae that brings to mind some of that movement’s more sinister bands like Angel Witch, Cloven Hoof and Holocaust. You hear that more so on the faster, heavier songs like “Bloodbath” and “The Passion,” whereas the more epic tracks like “Darkness Forever” and “Der Todesking” are straight-up Mercyful Fate worship.

Given the increase in popularity of traditionally-inclined heavy metal bands, it’s not surprising that a wave of darker bands has emerged. If you’re a fan of classic sounding, evil natured heavy metal along the lines of Ghost, Satan’s Host and In Solitude, plus of course the originals King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Angel Witch, you’ll absolutely want to check out what Portrait has to offer. Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae is one of the strongest traditional metal albums so far this year, and given the sheer volume of high quality traditional metal albums released in 2011 that’s saying something.

Genre: Heavy Metal

Band:
Joel Palvarinne (b)
Anders Persson (d)
Christian Lindell (g)
Richard Lagergren (g)
Per Karlsson (v)

Track Listing:
1. Beast of Fire
2. Infinite Descension
3. The Wilderness Beyond
4. Bloodbath
5. Darkness Forever
6. The Nightcomers
7. The Passion
8. Der Todesking

Label: Metal Blade

Website: http://www.portraitband.se/

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10