Portrait - Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae

Portrait
Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
2011 Metal Blade Records
When Portrait virtually exploded onto the scene a few years ago, everyone was struck with two things about the band. First, singer Phillip Svennefelt's voice bore an uncanny resemblance to that of King Diamond. Second, Portrait's song structure was very similar to that of the original Mercyful Fate albums, and KD's "Fatal Portrait" release as well. Here on album number two, that structure is even more prevalent, but Phillip Svennefelt has been replaced by Per Lengstedt. The band is better for the change in frontmen. Phillip Svennefelt seemed to be locked in the pattern of singing one line in a high KD style voice, and singing the next line in a low, more sinister KD style voice. He would then repeat this style not only for the rest of the song, but for the rest of the album as well. As much as I like the debut, this really became grating after awhile. New frontman Per Lengstedt has a more subtle style, where he does not instantly sound like KD. Indeed, at first he doesn't really stand out from other power metal singers of this era. But as you listen more, the more you realize that he takes quite a few queues, not from King's exact sound, but from his phrasing, vocal flair, and the ability to create one hell of a macabre picture with his voice and lyrics. That said, on "Darkness Forever," he does use a specific phrasing that King used on "Into the Coven," and I promise you that you'll know it the first time you hear it. But that aside, his vocals combined with songs that have a strong similarity to old Mercyful Fate (but with far better production) makes for the kind of package that most other bands can't even conceive of, let alone compete with.