Protector Cursed And Coronated CD (Slipcase, 2026, High Roller Records)

Cursed And Coronated is the sixth full-length album from Teutonic thrash metal veterans Protector following their highly regarded return with Reanimated Homunculus. Originally released in 2016, the album continues the band's revival of their classic old-school thrash metal sound and is now available as a premium 2026 slipcase CD reissue from High Roller Records.

Originally formed in Wolfsburg, Germany in the early 1980s, Protector established a strong underground reputation with their uncompromising combination of fast thrash metal, aggressive vocals and darker extreme-metal influences. After their original era ended, the band's return brought founding vocalist Martin Missy back to the forefront and introduced a new lineup of Swedish musicians who had already been working with Missy as Martin Missy and The Protectors.

Cursed And Coronated builds directly on the momentum of Reanimated Homunculus, with Protector remaining firmly committed to the raw, aggressive and cutting thrash metal style that defined their early material. The album combines rapid-fire riffing, driving drums, harsh vocals, crushing guitar work and darker death-metal touches without losing the unmistakable Protector identity.

One of the album's major highlights is the title track, Cursed And Coronated, which features the return of Urm the Mad, one of the memorable characters associated with Protector's classic era.

The album also continues Protector's approach of combining new material with songs that had previously appeared in the band's comeback period. Three tracks had already been released on demos and split singles between 2011 and 2013, while seven compositions were completely new at the time of recording.

Cursed And Coronated was recorded in May 2015 at the legendary Sunlight Studio in Norrtälje, Sweden, the same studio used for Reanimated Homunculus. The decision to return to the same production environment helped maintain continuity between the two albums.

Tomas Skogsberg once again handled production, continuing his association with the Protector comeback era. Mastering was completed by Patrick W. Engel, while the cover artwork once again came from renowned Swedish artist Kristian Wåhlin.

Musically, Cursed And Coronated sits firmly between classic German thrash metal and the darker edge of early extreme metal. The album is fast, aggressive and deliberately old school, but the songwriting remains focused enough to give the record plenty of memorable riffs and headbanging momentum.

Martin Missy's vocals provide the abrasive character expected from Protector, while the band's Swedish musicians bring tight and energetic performances to the material. The result is a record that respects Protector's 1980s foundations without simply attempting to reproduce them.

For collectors, Cursed And Coronated is an important part of Protector's modern-era catalogue. Alongside Reanimated Homunculus and the later Summon The Hordes, it forms part of a particularly strong period in the band's history, documenting the successful return of one of Germany's most underrated thrash metal acts.

The High Roller Records 2026 reissue provides an opportunity to rediscover Cursed And Coronated in a premium slipcase CD edition, making it an essential addition for collectors of underground German thrash and classic European extreme metal.

Whether you're a longtime Protector collector or discovering the band for the first time, Cursed And Coronated delivers the raw riffs, aggressive vocals and uncompromising old-school attitude that have kept Protector a cult name in the European thrash metal underground.

Recommended if you like: Sodom, Kreator, Destruction, Exhumer, Tankard, Possessed, Asphyx, and Demolition Hammer Protector fans, German thrash metal collectors, old-school thrash enthusiasts, underground extreme metal fans and collectors of High Roller Records releases.

Artist: Protector  
Title: Cursed And Coronated
Label: High Roller Records
Catalogue Number: HRR469CD2
UPC: 4251267724383
Release Year: 2016/2026
Duration: Album
Format: CD 
Packaging Type: Slipcase/Jewel Case
Condition: New & factory sealed
Special Attributes: Reissue

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Xenophobia
3. Selfdesdrugtion
4. Crosses in Carelia
5. Cursed and Coronated
6. Six Hours On the Cross
7. Base 104
8. The Dimholt
9. To Serve and Protect
10. Terra Mater
11. The Old Boil
12. Intro / Misanthropy (Live Dresden 2013)
13. Sliced, Hacked And Grinded (Live Dresden 2013)
14. Protector Of Death (Live Dresden 2013)