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Ten Crowns

Traitors and Martyrs (2005)
Counterintelligence

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Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 28th 2006

The whole “so and so sounds like Cookie Monster” assessment when it comes to talking about metalcore vocalists has become trite and cliché by this point, so I’ll use a different analogy to describe the singer for Ten Crowns: garbage disposal. The scraping, gargling cyclone of noise that you’re likely to hear when shoving your leftovers down the hole in the sink bears a striking resemblance to the vocals in this metalcore snoozefest.

Sticking to a very specific formula, complete with chugging guitars and pulsing bass, Traitors and Martyrs does not offer much if anything in the way of musical diversity. They stick to their approach through each of the fifteen nerve-grating tracks, only sporadically offering some quicker chord progressions or underlying attempts at melody. “No Turning Back” is the only real shining example of this, as for two minutes they’re able to break away from the heavy chugging to let the guitars deviate from that pattern and integrate some slick metal riffs. Aside from random tidbits such as that, everything else is just standard fare.

The vocals do pack a decent enough punch, full of anger and ferocity, but the lack of variety in inflection really sinks this ship, because there’s only so long you can listen to what really sounds like the exact same song, over and over again. The riffs are lacking and uninspired, seemingly just trudging through, doing only what’s necessary for one song's completion.

Not so surprisingly, the lyrics don’t add any sort of depth or insight: "I will forever be a traitor to this world, if it means I can live my life my way / No one on my side, in a world full of martyrs I am defiant / I am strong, I am a traitor, to what you live by, to what you know.” Coming from the album’s title track, it doesn’t go beyond expressing any token themes of solitude, revenge, or backstabbing. Oddly enough, in the liner notes appears a quote from Walt Whitman, whose words were far more eloquent than anything this four-piece can contribute. Regardless of lyrical shortcomings, the music just cannot make up for it. The riffing is tired, the drumming boring, the bass almost nonexistent, and the overall song structures just leave a lot to be desired.

The highlight of the entire album, however, is when the song “I Stand Alone” stops in the middle for the singer to say "Alright, this is for all the little boys parading around at hardcore shows. Grow up, or get the fuck out." Classy.

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Anonymous (March 8, 2006)

ten crowns is one of the nicest bands iv ever meet.Every time i go to the shows theyre always badass to me.Just because you guys still think punk is gonna make a comeback doesnt mean you have to go bash something you dont know shit about.And what the the bassist does at shows is called moshing,but some of you wouldnt now because all you do is run in a circle and push each other.I think the album is badass and them live is even more.

Anonymous (March 6, 2006)

Who are you? I've never seen you. You've never said anything to me. I've never started a fight at a show, I don't start shit. If you have a problem talk to me don't go around crying about it on a forum, I'm a resonable dude if i knocked a beer out of your hand, I'm sorry. If i'm ruining your experience let ME know because these people on here can't do anything to make your show experiences better, but I guess I can. If you've got a problem with someone let them know because this wont solve anything.

Anonymous (March 5, 2006)

no i'm no punk rock faggot, but every time i try to go and enjoy a show, hes allways fucking it up for people. starting shit. moshoing into the crowd, and just plain being piece of shit..........i like the cd very much so, just not the bassist.....

Anonymous (March 5, 2006)

im sure this cd just made you realize the worthlessness of your life and your shitty review is the best you could do at trying to rebuild a small amount of self-esteem.
solitude, backstabbing, and revenge are all goods things to me
thanks for the laugh

Anonymous (March 5, 2006)

you must be a punk rock faggot

Anonymous (March 5, 2006)

the bassist is a bitch and moshs into the crowd like a big fat idiot.....stay in the pit!! if u spill my beer one more time i'll bust that bass across your face

Anonymous (March 5, 2006)

the bassist is a bitch and moshs into the crowd like a big fat idiot.....stay in the pit!! if u spill my beer one more time i'll bust that bass across your face

Anonymous (March 4, 2006)

Hahahahaha yes

Anonymous (March 4, 2006)

come to TEXAS and see how these guys get a show moving...

-Coconut Andy

Anonymous (March 3, 2006)

hey guys guess what you silly little nigger shits are just going to sit around for the rest of your lives thinking good punk is still around get shot

Anonymous (March 3, 2006)

ha ha all you kids are faggets... good record great band from texas....

jroq

Anonymous (March 2, 2006)

less deicide, more minor threat

Anonymous (March 1, 2006)

kill heavy metal for hardcores sake

Anonymous (March 1, 2006)

kill heavy metal for hardcores sake

Anonymous (March 1, 2006)

Hey Joe, is that you?