Review | Crowne – Wonderland

Frontiers Music Srl

Swedish supergroup Crowne returns with `Wonderland’’, their third studio album. From the outset thunderous riff of the opening title track, it’s clear: this is a band at the peak of its powers!

Uniting the melodic rock legacy of Scandinavia with the grandeur and muscle of modern power metal. If you’ve followed Crowne’s and their musicians’ journey, you’ll know their promise has always been sky-high. Jona Tee and Alexander Strandell represent everything that is crisp and new, while bass force John Leven and his counterpart Christian Lundqvist stand at the helm of the history of Scandinavian metal, making the band flourish with everything the genre and Scandinavia brought to the plate of melodic rock over the decades. It is a perfect marriage of old and new, borrowed and blue. `Wonderland’’, delivers on every front, and then some.

A UNITY

Crowne isn’t just a band; it’s a summit of titans. Alexander Strandell’s vocals (Art Nation, Lionville, Nitrate) soar with a passion and clarity that cut through even the densest arrangements, while Love Magnusson (Dynazty) unleashes guitar work that is both tasteful and electrifying. Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.) paints the soundscape with lush, cinematic keyboard layers and keen hooks and melodies, John Leven (Europe) anchors the low end with his dominant thunderous authority. This all lies atop Christian Lundqvist’s (ex-The Poodles) propelling precision and fire, providing the right groove and thunderous anthemic setting to land immediately.

From the opening moments, `Wonderland’ immerses the listener in a world of epic atmospheres and anthemic choruses. The production is massive, allowing every instrument its space, yet never sacrificing the unity of the whole. Each track feels meticulously crafted but never sterile; the band’s chemistry is palpable, and their joy in creation is infectious. Benefitting from the towering magnitude of the musical constructions, of Tee, ,,Waiting for You” unites urging turbulence with multi-melodic mastery. The bass lines and guitars deplete a variety of scales and melodies, with the chorus anchored deep into the past of melodic rock and metal.

THE EMOTIONAL CORE OF THE ALBUM

Strandell’s voice is the emotional core. Impassioned, commanding and powerful, yet never overblowing the characteristics of the tracks. He brings a dynamic range that few in the genre can match, shifting from intimate verses to skyscraper choruses with apparent ease. ,,Waiting for You” is a masterclass in melodic tension and release, its hook lingering long after the final note.

The true wonder of the album however lies in the core of songs with compelling melodies. ,,Eye of the Oracle” is bred on the `Out of this World’ album of Europe ,but blends the melodic wonder of Treat and Return. Tee’s keys are stacked atop the guitars, gripping in the melodies, and making all blend with towering force. Subtle, slick, but immensely wonderful. What sets `Wonderland’ apart is the technical brilliance woven into every track. Magnusson’s riffs and solos are not just showcases of speed and dexterity; they serve the song, adding drama and colour. ,,Heaven Tonight” and ,,Legacy” claw deep into the rich heritage of the Scandinavian bands. Blending past and present, the songs just go down like treats, due to their tailor-made melodic antics.

BIFF BYFORD

Jona Tee’s keyboards are more than mere background, they elevate the arrangements, adding depth and cinematic flair like on ,,Legacy” and the impressive melodic creation ,,The Fall”. Leven’s bass and Lundqvist’s drumming form a rhythm section that is both muscular and agile, driving the album with relentless energy. ,,Warlords of the North” (co-written by Saxon’s Biff Byford) is anchored in era of NWOBHM, with rousing accolades, and Leven’s bass scattering in the low end. The groove is metallic and powerful, with hooks dropped constantly.

When the pace goes up, the foundation increases strength. ,,Timing is Right” is exquisite on its melodic chorus, but the fast-pulsing beat and bass propel it with insane intensity and Strandell pitches and croons atop of Tee’s swirling keys and Magnusson’s guitar licks. The chemistry of the track is topped by the immersive melodic rocker ,,Hearts Collide”, with its insane vocals and melodies dropping. The pulse of the song is high, and the song immediately lands with its crooning melodies and weeping guitars.

Absolutely phenomenal is the slow mover ,,Goodbye” and crawling ,,Love Thy Enemy”, displaying the band’s creative skills and vision. Going all in, Crowne blends modern sizzling keys with heavy and powerful basslines atop the powerful drum hooks. Strandell’s vocals distorted, add intensity to the powerful urge of ,,Legacy” that is one of the albums absolute gems. The hook dropping is enormous, the chorus daring and powerful!

CROWNE – THE CONCLUSION

Topping of the album, the jagged riff of ,,The Fall” ignites the song that orbits with Alexander’s awesome vocals and ebbing keys. Leven’s bass drones low, with the groove in ominous pace. Phenomenal! The influences of Crowne are clear: fans of Europe, H.E.A.T., Dynazty, and The Poodles will feel right at home, but the band never lapses into nostalgia. Instead, they build on these foundations, infusing `Wonderland’ with a modern edge and a sense of ambition that is wholly their own. Art Nation and Tee’s epic tour de force New Horizon dominate the Scandi airwaves. Blending classic elements with fresh new visions, Crowne strikes hard.

There’s an honesty and exuberance to `Wonderland’ that is impossible to fake. The album is a pleasure to hear—not just for its technical fireworks, but for the sheer joy that radiates from every note. Crowne have crafted a record that will thrill fans and musicians alike, a testament to what happens when world-class talent comes together with a shared vision and a love for the genre. `Wonderland’ is more than an album. This is a celebration of melodic heavy rock, delivered with conviction, skill, and heart. Crowne have raised the bar for themselves and the entire melodic rock scene.

Release date: 22 August 2025