A couple of years ago I came across this self released debut from a band called Crown the Lost and I was quite impressed by the band's take on some ripping thrash meets traditional heavy metal sound. The band had a couple of guitarists who could shred and while the songs weren't really awesome or anything it was still one of those debuts that hinted at great things to come. Looks like someone in Cruz Del Sur was listening to them as well because the band got signed and Blind Faith Loyalty is a step up in every way from the debut.

The focus of the band right through this album is on some very impressive riffing, strong song writing and a pretty awesome drummer who provides a solid backbone to the songs. The guitars of Joe Bonaddio and David E. Gehlke are front and centre on Blind Faith Loyalty and these two guys can really rip it. The band, at its best falls somewhere between Nevermore, Mystic Force and current Arch Enemy and that’s a pretty cool place to be in my book. Stand out tracks include album opener Defame the Hypocrite which comes across like a tribute to the Bay Area with some nice interplay between a soaring clean baritone and some raspy thrash vocals, Bound to Wrath which has an anthemic chorus and some melodic guitar playing, Symbiotic which is the mid album epic and draws heavily from Nevermore, the aggressive old school thrash vibes of Impose Your Will and the superb Privation which has a pretty impressive performance from the vocalist and some kick ass guitar playing.

The band sounds great on Blood Faith Loyalty. The songs are given enough time to develop and at the same time the band seems to know when to call a halt to it. There are no unnecessary digressions into self indulgent wanking even if both these guitarist sound more than capable of doing so. I get the feeling that the vocalist is probably trying a bit too hard and I’m not sure if he’s trying to sound like Warrel Dane but his clean singing doesn’t always fit the fierce and aggressive riffing on offer. Apart from the occasional disconnect provided by the vocalist, Blind Faith Loyalty is full of some pretty kick ass metal.

I have to say that Crown the Lost has lived up to all the promise they showed on their debut album. This is an impressive outing and they manage to stay away from all the clichés and potholes of the genre to deliver an album that has plenty of repeat value.

Label - Cruz Del Sur
Year of Release - 2009