CRASHDÏET - AUTOMATON - Released 29/4/22

27 April 2022

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The Swedish rockers are back with a sixth studio album. ‘Automaton’ is defined as ‘A machine which performs a range of functions according to a predetermined set of coded instructions’. Which I suppose can reflect how todays level of technology, has reached the point where many of our daily lives are subject to using the easy option. We no longer have to think, before carrying out the most basic of tasks. Thought provoking theme from ‘Crashdïet’ and an excellent choice of title. Now in their Twenty-Second year, the band have recently said goodbye to longstanding member Eric Young, who has hung up his sticks due to personal reasons. He is replaced for the foreseeable future by Lacu (Ex Hanoi Rocks). I loved ‘Rust’ in 2019, it was so full on rock and roll and an album that I played over and over, so is ‘Automaton’ on the same par?

Thirty-Nine seconds of howling machinery is the eponymous introduction, a surge of groaning metal that fittingly leads into ’Together Whatever’. What a storming rip tide of a song this is, perfect correlation from the band and the vocals of Gabriel Keyes are raised to limitless heights. Exhilarating stuff and with a dip into guitar heaven midway, it’s perfect head-banging matter. ’No Mans Land’ has a similar thud about it, the storyline is one of a road leading straight to hell and the mental escape, which is so synchronic and contemporary in thinking. More dramatic fret hitting and it does leave a pleasant taste. ‘Darker Minds’ is a crushing ballad with a bunch of those singalong lines that get you swaying in unison at the gig. It all becomes more sombre on ‘Dead Crusade’, even the intro is a statement piece, a grinding of Martin Sweet’s formidable axe. This is a heavier track with a serious riff and succulent guitar. ‘Powerline’ in contrast, is light and more melody seeps in. Soaring scales from guest vocalist Michael Starr (Steel Panther), who has so much clarity when he sings and there’s a positive feel with this one.

The drums issue a warning message for ’Shell Shock’ coming down, with a hard and demanding force. It’s a menacing track with an area of bending and distortion that makes it one of the finest on ‘Automaton’. Bruising and crushing rock, that is testament of how these Swedes can emit a sucker punch whenever they want. The next song ‘Unbroken’ is also one of anger and thrashing demeanour. Unstoppable and unyielding it’s a solid piece and only breaks towards the last bunch of flexible notes. ‘I Can’t Move On (Without You)’ brings the album to a close. A delicate ballad, with acoustic guitars and a beautiful use of the strings. Harmonies and warm tones settle and then rise for an embracing finish.

Like a lot of us, I think of Sleaze Metal when I hear the name Crashdïet, but after hearing ‘Rust’ and now ‘Automaton’ that description is a tad out of date. After all these years, the band have evolved into a damn fine rock band offering more than just glitz. This album is full of depth and wanders with a whole load of emotion. The addition of Gabriel on vocals has helped breath new life and I look forward to seeing them on the road again, as they are also incredibly good to watch.

‘The band have evolved into a damn fine rock band offering more than just glitz’

Highlights – Together Whatever, Dead Crusade, Shell Shock, Unbroken.

Automaton is out on 29/4/22 through Crusader Records.

Pre-Order AUTOMATON (Physical): https://www.crashdiet.org/pre-order

Pre-Order (Digital) : https://bfan.link/crashdiet-automaton

Track Listing: 01. Automaton 02. Together Whatever 03. Shine On 04. No Man’s Land 05. Darker Minds 06. Dead Crusade 07. Powerline (Feat – Michael Starr) 08. Resurrection Of The Damned 09. We Die Hard 10. Shell Shock 11. Unbroken 12. I Can’t Move On (Without You)

Recorded/Mixed at @crehatestudios

Produced by ??????? ???????

Artwork by ??????? ???????

Crusader records at @goldenrobotrecords

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/realcrashdiet

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/realcrashdiet

Line-up :
Gabriel Keyes – Lead Vocals
Martin Sweet – Guitar
Peter London – Bass
Lacu – Drums

Catch CRASHDÏET on tour:

04.05.2022 Stockholm Sweden Debaser strand

06.05.2022 Oslo Norway John Dee

08.05.2022 Copenhagen Denmark Pumpehuset

09.05.2022 Gothenburg Sweden Pustervik