Review of Crown the Lost - Reverence Dies Within

It is only fitting that the Steel City forges some fine metal. Pittsburgh, PA’s Crown the Lost sent in their self-released album, Reverence Dies Within, and we thank them for that. This new quintet thrashes hard, turning back the clock that sounds fresh out of the past. However, there are enough modern moments included that fans of more recent metal will not feel alienated.

The production is low-budget, but balanced with some punch on the guitars that comes through over the minor fuzz. This punch is welcomed, as these boys are not afraid to bash out catchy riffs, when not shredding through a solo or playing leads from the Gothenburg School of Melody. Blast beats appear when necessary, lending an atmosphere of intensity. Where Crown the Lost will undoubtedly lose a few potential fans is with the vocals. The singer, who is all of 18 years old, sounds a bit like Bruce Dickinson, just a small step deeper and with less range. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought they were an English band. I find him endearing, but others may be turned off by his vibrato and his comfort zone pitch that is rarely strayed from.

Reverence Dies Within is comprised of nine songs, which are all well-developed and coherent pieces that show maturity years beyond the average member’s age. Some tracks naturally rise to the top, like the long album closer, “This Dead Hour” or “Swear to the Pearless”, a mid-paced romp, but all are listenable. Crown the Lost’s record is by far one of the best unsigned/demos that I have covered in my long tenure at Metal Review. Labels should be battling to sign these guys, unless I’ve overestimated the market for power-tinged thrash and riffs riffs riffs. Well done.

Release Details

Crown the Lost

Reverence Dies Within

Comments

Related