Since Metalcore began to sweep the Metal scene, I have been thinking to myself, "Seriously what is the deal with merging Metal and Hardcore'? No one really answered to what I consider as an enigma. It can be from many reasons that I won't start talking about here because I will probably get upset in the process and I don't want that. Once again a band wrongfully described as Thrash Metal only for me to discover that the percentage of Thrash within this release is closer to zero and more than enough towards core. DRONE, which was even once signed to SPV, released another studio album, "For Torch And Crown", via their new local label, Metalville Records. Respectfully I admit that I have found nothing that actually made me to like this release that much. Seriously, how can one can interact and get along with something this anemic? A point to think about.

Well I can't be all negative towards the German lads as they displayed a few good moments where a different approach was taken as they spread a few melodies, nice rhythms and other than kick down riffing. "Deepest Red", one of the few tracks that made a difference within this release even displayed a solo guitar played well, nice chorus and a repetitive, yet cool, main riff. I also found a selection of breaking moments on "Bloody Mary" and "Burning Storybook" that made me twitch but no more than that I am afraid. I can't but help it that DRONE seemed to have reinserted the same type of riffing over and over, what is so special about that? Their points of light merely rely on several melodic flavors and harmonic choruses, yet the songs have more to those. At least the texts sounded serious enough and the production that glued the overhead halo around the material was good, but clearly it isn't enough.

To me DRONE sounded like any other Metalcore / Groove Metal band with nothing new to tell its listeners and moreover, it sells the same stuff within a particular release over and over without rethinking about the consequences to this action. Well maybe on their next endeavor they will pay attention because this isn't their debut or sophomore release.