Trollhättan Death Metal combo previously known as CROWN OF THORNS. Although often confused with Jean Beuvoir's American Melodic Rock act, Sweden's CROWN OF THORNS, founded in 1990 by ex-IMPIOUS vocalist Johan Lindstrandt and very much in the Grindcore mould, were a much heavier proposition altogether. Over time THE CROWN rapidly developed into a premier technical Death Metal outfit. CROWN OF THORNS first hit the tape trading scene with an impressive demo, 1993's 'Forever Heaven Gone'. Shortly after its release the band got to play the Swedish Hultsfred festival alongside ENTOMBED and IGGY POP but lost guitarist Robert Österberg to Punk act ÖLHÄVERS. His replacement was Marcus Sunesson who cut his teeth with the 1994 demo 'Forget The Light'. This tape scored them a deal with Black Sun Records for the debut album 'The Burning'. CROWN OF THORNS also made their mark on the SLAYER tribute album 'Slaytanic Slaughter' contributing their take on 'Mandatory Suicide'.

The band's sophomore outing 'Eternal Death' continued the trend and yet again the Swedes were adding to another tribute album, this time nailing a cover of 'Arise' for the SEPULTURA homage 'Sepultural Feast'.

Continued threat of litigation from the American CROWN OF THORNS resulted in the band adopting the title THE CROWN in 1997. Undaunted the band toured Europe in early 1998 on a billing with SACRILEGE resulting directly in a deal with American label Metal Blade for third album 'Hell Is Here'.

To promote the record THE CROWN embarked on further European dates on a Black Metal festival package bill of IMPALED NAZARENE, EMPEROR, MORBID ANGEL and PECCATUM. A further cover version ensued, this time a crack at BATHORY's 'Burnin' Leather' for the 'Power From The North' compilation.

THE CROWN toured Europe in December 2000 as part of an almighty Death Metal package that included ENSLAVED, MORBID ANGEL, BEHEMOTH, HYPNOS and DYING FETUS.

THE CROWN guitarist Marcus Sunesson would join THE HAUNTED for American touring in 2001. Drummer Janne Saarenpää would deputise for GOD DETHRONED for their 'No Mercy' festival appearances. A further round of American dates, commencing in Tampa, Florida on the 24th April 2002, saw support from DARKEST HOUR and ALL THAT REMAINS. The 'Crowned In Terror' album would witness a huge leap in sales and exposure for the band, surpassing sales of all previous albums combined and even entering the national Swedish album charts at no. 8.

Thomas Lindberg would also guest on shared lead vocals in union with KREATOR frontman Mille Petrozza for the track 'Dirty Coloured Knife' on the 2002 album from Israeli metal act EMBLAZE. The singer, along with Marcus Sunneson also sessioned on DARKEST HOUR's 'Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation' album.

In a surprize move Lindberg split from THE CROWN in early June rejoining his former act THE GREAT DECEIVER. The band swiftly reinstating original vocalist Johan Lindstrand, albeit with both parties stressing the temporary nature of the union, for their appearance at Finland's 'Tuska Metal' festival and the German Bad Berka 'San Open Air' event. However, in late September Lindstrand confirmed that he had re-joined on a permanent basis.

THE CROWN allied themselves with SKINLESS and MONOLITH for the 'Crowning Europe In Terror' tour in March and April of 2003. The band returned later that year with a new studio album 'Possessed 13'. A limited edition two disc set of the album added both the band's 1993 'Forever Heaven Gone' and 1994 'Forget The Light' demos, a 1992 demo track 'Last Rite', a cover of BATHORY's 'Burnin' Leather' and a 2000 demo version of 'Rebel Angel'. Solidifying their reunion with Lindstrand the band even re-entered the recording studio to manufacture a new version of their 2002 album release 'Crowned In Terror' with Lindstrand replacing Tomas Lindberg's vocals. A further round of November touring on the European mainland saw THE CROWN hooked up with road partners DARKEST HOUR and MONOLITH DEATHCULT.

Although the October 2003 album 'Possessed 13' scored laudatory reviews the band struggled to get onto any decent tour packages. On the 7th of March of 2004 the band called it quits, drummer Janne Saarenpää candidly admitting via an official web posting that the band's inability to match the quality of their music with good business sense had led to their downfall.

The album 'Crowned Unholy', issued in August of 2004, would actually be a remake of the band's fifth album 'Crowned In Terror'. This revised version added re-recorded vocal tracks by Johan Lindstrand, re-recorded bass tracks by Magnus Olsfelt and a brand new intro programmed by drummer Janne Saarenpää. Also included would be a DVD entitled 'The Crown Invades Karlsruhe', documenting a show on THE CROWN's final tour in Karlsruhe, Germany on 24th November 2003. 2004 the band members of THE CROWN (except Johan Lindstrand) formed a band called DOBERMAN.

Johan Lindstrand would front INCAPICTY for a one off gig on 1st October at the Belsepub in Gothenburg supporting IMPIOUS. In December Lindstrand has announced the formation of his brand new project, billed ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET. Entering Deadline Studios, and working with Valle Adzic of IMPIOUS as engineer, this venture cut the opening demo 'When Hatred Comes To Life'. Meantime, THE CROWN drummer Janne Saarenpää recorded for Canadian act AVEN AURA in mid 2004 on their debut album 'The Shadow Of Idols'.

In March of 2005 Marcus Sunesson re-emerged as member of the new band ENGEL, a Gothenburg based quintet also featuring guitarist Niclas Engelin, of PASSENGER, GARDENIAN and IN FLAMES repute, drummer Morbid Mojjo (a.k.a. Daniel Moilanen), a veteran of MINDSNARE, SANDALINAS, RUNEMAGICK, DRACENA, RELEVANT FEW and LORD BELIAL, bassist Robert Hakemo, ex-GARDENIAN and GOOSEFLESH together with vocalist Mangan Klavborn. Meantime, guitarist Marko Tervonen was in collaboration with TRANSPORT LEAGUE frontman Tony Jelencovich in a new unit billed ANGEL BLAKE. This project soon scored a label deal with Metal Blade Records and also subsequently drafted Janne Saarenpää on drums. Tervonen would also retain ties with his former THE CROWN colleague bassist Magnus Osfelt, acting as producer for the four-stringers STOLEN POLICECAR project. Johan Lindstrand spread his talents by also signing up as new frontman for INCAPACITY in December.

On December 1st 2009 was announced, that DOBERMAN was renamed back to THE CROWN.