Employing a punitive blend of blackened death metal, heady progressive metal, and blistering metalcore, Pennsylvania's Black Crown Initiate emerged in 2012 and found success with the arrival of their 2016 sophomore effort, Selves We Cannot Forgive. The band continued to build momentum both at home and abroad with the release of 2020's Violent Portraits of Doomed Defeat, their first outing for Century Media.
The Reading-based unit was founded by James Dorton (vocals), Rik Stelzpflug (guitar, vocals), Andy Thomas (guitar, vocals), Nick Shaw (bass), and Jesse Beahler (drums). ...