Review by JD on August 29, 2009.

Full accelerator down speed, powerfully brutal heaviness that is so completely honest in the way it is delivered and heart worn on the sleeve... music like this really needs no real help to get noticed. Crown The Lost is such a band, but it is still my job to give them a wee little push, so to speak.

Hailing from the steel capital of the USA, Pittsburgh, PA... this seriously nasty new version of Thrash Metal comes screaming out at you like a banshee out of hell that has been hit with a Tazer gun. Crown The Lost is a band that has been floating around the metal world for more than just awhile... and all with out any real notice. My question of this is a simple one... WHY have they not been found!!

From the starting strains of the mind pulverizing ‘Defaming The Hypocrites’ to the CD ending explosion of the albums title track... there are eleven amazing songs that are so purely metal, honest as hell yet so well put together music that shamelessly gets in your face sort of Thrash Metal. There is no fluff, no Nu-metal rapping or blow torch in your throat Death Metal utterings here... what you get is pure metal at its finest.

Razor sharp slashing guitar lines underscored by chugging rhythms topped off by some very angry growling vocals all combine to fuel what could be arguably some of the best metal ever recorded. Musically they happen to be a band that is so deep with talent and fury but still is a band that is building with great intensity.

Crown The Lost is a perfect example of the new crop of metal heads taking props from the old school into its darkened hearts... and creates some pretty fine metallic blasts. Some bands don’t get how to do this right... thank any gods that you may or may not have that Crown The Lost has got it. Raise your beers to these guys... metal is back, and better than ever.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by JD on February 20, 2009.

Switzerland seems to be fuelling a fire of a newer wave of melodic yet still heavy Death Metal right now, and Dreamshade shows that they are in the thick of it all. This band has the talent, the in your face heaviness and drive... a potent and lethal combination if you are a band that is very hungry for world domination.

Dreamshade are heavy as anyone out there today in any metal market...and is serving up a huge and rather hard bitch-slap of sadistic in-your-face metal on this album. The Swiss Death-thrashers truly are a band that really does put the term 'heavy' back into Heavy Metal... and then redefines it at every turn.

They can play with great harmony, and all while shredding with such pinpoint accuracy that comes with great overall musical talent. They actually remind me a little of very early Cradle Of Filth that ends up meeting Progressive Metal in some dark alley and then having a bastard spawn. That may be a odd description for the bands music, but I would say it is the best way to explain how this Swiss explosion is.

Dreamshade have that certain something that is so remarkably proficient with their music and all without losing the heaviness like some bands end up doing. So many bands cannot say that, especially in the Death Metal scene. It is so true, Dreamshade does it and does it so damned well... and it shows that the genre is alive and kicking some really serious ass.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by JD on February 20, 2009.

Switzerland seems to be fuelling a fire of a newer wave of melodic yet still heavy Death Metal right now, and Dreamshade shows that they are in the thick of it all. This band has the talent, the in your face heaviness and drive... a potent and lethal combination if you are a band that is very hungry for world domination.

Dreamshade are heavy as anyone out there today in any metal market...and is serving up a huge and rather hard bitch-slap of sadistic in-your-face metal on this album. The Swiss Death-thrashers truly are a band that really does put the term 'heavy' back into Heavy Metal... and then redefines it at every turn.

They can play with great harmony, and all while shredding with such pinpoint accuracy that comes with great overall musical talent. They actually remind me a little of very early Cradle Of Filth that ends up meeting Progressive Metal in some dark alley and then having a bastard spawn. That may be a odd description for the bands music, but I would say it is the best way to explain how this Swiss explosion is.

Dreamshade have that certain something that is so remarkably proficient with their music and all without losing the heaviness like some bands end up doing. So many bands cannot say that, especially in the Death Metal scene. It is so true, Dreamshade does it and does it so damned well... and it shows that the genre is alive and kicking some really serious ass.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10