Despite going through their fair share of turmoil and tragedy, Crashdïet have long cemented themselves as titans of the Scandinavian hard rock scene. For you American readers unaware, allow me to get you up to speed. The band formed way back in 2000. In 2005, they released their debut album, Rest in Sleaze, to global acclaim. In an era where retro oriented acts like The Darkness and Wolfmother were achieving superstardom stateside, it was very possible Crashdïet could’ve followed suit, had original singer Dave Leppard not committed suicide at the tragic age of 25.
What followed was a revolving door of singers until the arrival of Gabriel Keyes in 2017. With Keyes at the helm, they released 2019’s Rust. Albeit a very strong effort, it was no Rest in Sleaze, or even 2010’s Generation Wild for that matter, the latter being their first of two albums with singer Simon Cruz. In my heart of hearts, I knew that this incarnation of Crashdïet had yet to make their masterpiece; a crowning achievement that would blow the mind of every lipstick faced, hairspray headed, tried and true glamster that STILL proudly walked the earth, defiant of 21st century conventions and norms. Lo and behold, I was right.
Automaton sees Crashdïet at a musical peak that has not been showcased in well over a decade. Unapologetically boisterous and proudly loud, the band kicks it into high gear for an outing of spirited metal, hard rock, and AOR. “Together Whatever” opens the outing in grand fashion, combining the Sunset Strip sleaze of Skid Row and ironclad mannerisms of Painkiller era Judas Priest. It should be noted that the riffing and musicianship is unusually heavier than most past Crashdïet releases, especially on cuts like “Dead Crusade” and “Unbroken”. That said, those of a more melodic inclination need not fear. There’s no shortage of singalong choruses, gang vocals, and slick melodies interspersed throughout.
“Shine On”, “No Man’s Land”, and “Shell Shock” are intense exercises in arena metal, with enough hooks and charisma to appeal to headbangers of all ages. “We Die Hard” on the other hand flirts with classic AOR, as does the Scorpions circa Savage Amusement romp that is “Powerline”, the latter featuring a guest appearance from Steel Panther singer Michael Starr. “Darker Minds” and “I Can’t Move On (Without You)” serve as the obligatory ballads, the former on the “power” side and the latter on the, uh, unplugged side. However, neither take away from the cohesion of this release. And how could I forget the sleazy steel of “Resurrection of the Damned”? If some unknown band had released this in 1989, they would’ve earned a multimillion dollar record deal and an opening slot for Mötley Crüe.
Crashdïet have certainly not crashed and burned! They’ve returned with a vengeance and passion that’s sure to fuel them well into the 2030s. I just wish my fellow Americans would take note. Perhaps this country’s newfound love of Norwegian hard rockers Wig Wam, currently plotting their first American tour this summer, will cause a ripple effect for all the other top-tier Scandinavian names I have highlighted on this webzine over the past two years. One can only hope!
8 out of 10
Label: Crusader Records
Genre: Glam Metal
For fans of: Skid Row, Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe