CROWNE is a Swedish melodic hard rock band with hints of metal mixed in, that formed in 2021. The project started as a solo project for singer "Alexander Strandell" working with "Jona Tee" as producer, and transitioned into an entire group. All of the members have previous experience playing in other Swedish melodic bands and they consider this collaboration a supergroup. They released their first album "Kings In The North" in 2021. With the addition of guitarist "Love Magnusson" as a permanent member, (he provided guitar solos for the first album), they released their follow up album, "Operation Phoenix" in January 2023 on Frontier Music SRL.

"Operation Phoenix" starts with a sole piano and moves into a mid-paced rocker with strong vocals, a strong rhythm section and melodic guitar solos. "Champions" is an uplifting straight up rocker, with the guitars riffing side by side with the keyboards, and then coming to the forefront during dueling guitar solos. They have released an official video of this song, along with the next song. "In The Name of the Fallen" showcases the bands harmonious vocals, while utilizing time changes musically.  "Super Trooper" slows everything down at the start and then speeds up and slows down again. "Ready To Run" has a more piano keyboard sound throughout, with screaming guitar solos. The vocals are a little more on the screaming side. "Juliette" starts with full orchestration and moves into a darker song with more of a metal sound. This is in my opinion, the best song on the album, and even ends with a 100% metal sound effect.

"The Last Of Us" is more of an anthem with loud guitars and full backing of the keyboards and rhythm section. "Just Believe" has an 80's- feel with a simpler, less produced, radio friendly sound. "Roar" is a faster paced classic power metal song with a fantasy theme with strong vocals throughout. This song contains one of the better guitar solos on the album. "Victorious" is another uplifting keyboard driven song, with very melodic dueling guitar solos. "Northern Lights" finishes off the album with a slower, anthemic song, as close to a ballad as they get on the album.

"CROWNE" proclaim themselves as the most exciting, thrilling supergroup ever created out of the Swedish melodic hard rock scene. They feel that "Operation Phoenix" builds upon the rock- solid foundation of their debut and takes it to a new level. This album contains a more positive theme than their first album. If you are looking for melodic rock from Sweden, with strong vocals, played by musicians at the top of their game, "Operation Phoenix" will not disappoint.