THE CROWN Slam Former Singer TOMAS LINDBERG: 'No One Could Deal With Him When He Was Drunk'

Swedish thrashers THE CROWN have slammed former singer Tomas Lindberg over his departure from the group, blaming his split with the band on his excessive alcohol consumption while on tour.

Speaking to Sweden's biggest metal magazine Close-Up, bassist Magnus Olsfelt said, "The primary reason [for the split with Tomas] was the lack of personal chemistry. Because we had the same lineup for 11 years, it was hard to find someone who fit in with everyone all the time. And if you play together for that long, you don't have a lot of patience either. It went painlessly when we were together with [Lindberg's predecessor and eventual replacement] Johan [Lindstrand]. You get spoiled. But at the same time Tompa [a.k.a. Tomas] was the obvious replacement [for Johan] at that point. I don't know how much we dare say [about the reasons for our split with Tomas]. We agreed with him to go our separate ways because we didn't click on a personal level. But alcohol has always been a part of these episodes."

"It was hard to tour," interjected drummer Janne Saarenpää.

Magnus: "Yes, it was. Because we spend our time in a small bus and not at all have a habit of becoming drunk before gigs. Tompa is the other way around. That's his way of being, and he can't change that. Everyone should be able to be themselves in the band, and I suppose that's what made things go overboard. He did a perfect job on stage, but at the same time, no one could deal with him when he was drunk. [Tomas' previous band] AT THE GATES split up for that same reason.

"We wanted to have some sort of a meeting [to discuss our problems with Tomas], but it never happened. We haven't dealt with this within the group or with Tompa. Most likely he has a totally different take on the situation. Either way, it was dumb of us not to talk things through."

Janne: "We tried to [arrange a band meeting], but it seemed like no one could make it at the same time. Finally, there was no time [left to meet]. We were due to perform two weeks later and wanted to get it over with. So we had to do it over the phone. And then it [became] kind of silly."

"Aside from the tours, it didn't feel like Tompa gave his all for THE CROWN, but that it was something he did on the side. It's like having a colleague at work who doesn't give it his all. It's not fun working with that kind of a person. You want someone with as much of a fire as yourself."

In the same issue of Close-Up, Lindberg responded to THE CROWN's allegations, saying "Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I know for a fact where I stand on this. It's possible they have another point of view. I have absolutely no unsettled business with THE CROWN and think it would be nicer to hear opinions about myself and my person from them directly and not from Sweden's biggest hard rock magazine. That's why I choose not to comment on personal affairs and loose talk in print. I take care of my [day] job, and as many know, I have four established bands and a family — I'm a little more responsible than the guys make it appear. Then I wonder if it isn't stooping a bit low when you give your imagination a free rein about things that you don't have the slightest clue about. Why AT THE GATES split up I think we who played in the group know best ourselves. And I think I'm closer to Anders Björler [former AT THE GATES guitarist, currently in THE HAUNTED] and company than the guys from [THE CROWN's hometown of] Trollhattan are. It's unfortunate that my time in THE CROWN would end under these sad circumstances. But we mustn't forget that we made a good album and played a lot of shows."

In related news, THE CROWN have revealed plans to release a new version of 2002's "Crowned In Terror", the original recording of which featured Lindberg on lead vocals. The album, which will surface in 2004 through Metal Blade Records, will feature new bass lines and new vocals, but Johan and Tomas' duet in "Death Metal Holocaust" will remain untouched.

Says Janne, "In all honesty, this is nothing we're particularly keen on doing. It's something we promised Metal Blade as a 'thank you' for the big budget we got for the recording of 'Possessed 13'. But it will probably be fun for people to have all the albums with Johan on vocals."

THE CROWN have also hinted that their forthcoming "Possessed 13" CD (due on October 20) will possibly be the group's last to feature the high-energy thrash sound that has become the band's trademark.

"Somehow it feels like this is our final record, that it's not possible to make this [sound] much better," said Magnus.

When asked if THE CROWN will be laid to rest following the completion of the touring cycle for the new album, Magnus said, "I don't know if you can put it that way either, but you can see this as some sort of closure."