Genre: Thrash/Heavy

Label: Cruz del Sur Music

IS Rating: 8

Comments: A stunning sophomore release from an underrated quintet.

Release Date: May 22, 2009

Who ever thought someone who reviews albums could actually impress with original music? Such is the case of David E. Gehlke, the rhythm guitarist for his Pittsburgh based thrash band, Crown The Lost. When he’s not covering the metal scene at large for Blistering.net, Mr. Gehlke is hard at work with bandmates Joe Bonnadio, Kevin Antonacci, Shaun Gunter, and vocal wunderkind Chris Renaldi writng the most jaw dropping music imaginable. Some three years removed from their first stab at greatness, “Blind Faith Loyalty” is a heady collection of tracks that are equally progressive, technical, melodic, and ambitious.

In the order of things, Crown the Lost are somewhere between Control Denied, In Flames, and Bruce Dickinson’s solo output. Their music is guitar driven with a not-so- surprising predilection for mind boggling duels, complexity, and endless appreggios. But what really makes them stand sout is their vocalist Chris Renaldi. At 20 he’s already a vocal god in the Bruce Dickinson mold. Hear him put emotion and bombast into the songs “Defame The Hypocrites,” “Symbiotic,” Dreaming In Reverse,” and “Hollow Refuge.” Othe rtimes he’s busy reaching the same notes as Kign Diamond while the band even go so far as add hoarse growls here and there.

For anyone wanting to savor an underground gem that hasn’t been tainted by trendiness or suffocated by a bloated scene, Crown the Lost are a breath of fresh air. Overlooking the lack of truly memorable songs and headache-inducing chunks of musicianship, these guys are in a league of their own. You’re just dead certain enormous things lie in wait for Crown the Lost if only they can write that flawless album hidden within.

Miguel Blardony