Cobra Speed Venom

Formed as a primitive garage act in 1990 under the name Crown of Thorns, the group that would become The Crown appeared on a compilation in '92, and the legendary dark and brutal demos Forever Heaven Gone (1993) and Forget The Light (1994) followed, which resulted in a deal with Black Sun Records (Grotesque, Nifelheim, Ceremonial Oath) and the much-lauded debut album The Burning (1995). Blending a strong sense of melody with the thrashing ferocity of American acts and atmospheric flavor of Scandinavian tradition, the band impressed media and fans alike with a perfect amalgamation of feeling and sheer brutality. A video for "Of Good And Evil" was shot and further helped to spread the band's moniker, as did their cover of "Mandatory Suicide" on the Slatanic Slaughter ? a tribute to Slayer compilation.