David Halbe 
I discovered the music of Crashdiet when Generation Wild was released. I listened to the album daily on LAST.FM and eventually purchased a physical copy on CD when the album became available in the United States via Frontiers Records.
Crashdiet is a band that knows tragedy, they are a group who’s collectively gone through the ringer known as life.
Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, the group burst on the scene in 2000 with the glam metal classic, Rest In Sleeze (2005). This record put the band on the map, but their success was short lived when vocalist Dave Lepard tragically took his own life. Lepard’s death ultimately ended the band but support from family and friends urged the remaining musicians to continue.
The band re-grouped and released a new album, The Unattractive Revolution (2007), with Reckless Love vocalist, H. Olliver Twisted (Olli Herman Kosunen). The alliance was short-lived and Twisted left the band shortly after this release.
Crashdiet’s third studio effort, Generation Wild (2010), was undoubtedly their world-wide breakthrough release. I think this is the band’s most identifiable album and the effort I will always associate with the band.
I discovered the music of Crashdiet when Generation Wild was released. I listened to the album daily on LAST.FM and eventually purchased a physical copy on CD when the album became available in the United States via Frontiers Records.
The group’s new vocalist, Simon Cruz, is a premier front-man and he took the band to the next level with his memorable vocals. His stylized facial piercings, tattoos and Mohawk haircut became synonymous with group and help make the quartet more identifiable.
In my mind, Generation Wild was much more than just a monster glam release, it was literally a re-invention of a style for the band at the most pivotal time of their musical career. Simon’s inclusion was refreshing. His message was a throwback to the ’80s formula that made glam metal great. Highlight Tracks for me are: “Armageddon”, “So Alive”, “Generation Wild”, “Save Her” and “Chemical”.
Unfortunately, his tenor was to be short lived as Simon Cruz left Crashdiet shortly after the release of The Savage Playground (2013). I was devastated. The loss was unexpected and I personally thought Crashdiet was over.
Once again not to be thwarted, Crashdiet pushed on recruiting Gabriel Keyes as their new vocalist and releasing two full length albums Rust (2019) and more recently Automaton (2022).
Believe it or not, Gabriel Keyes left Crashdiet in February of 2024. The new vocalist is John Elliot.
We are told new material is in the works. Only time will tell if this rendition of Crashdiet will finally achieve the success and recognition it truly deserves. Until that time, I urge you to give this band a chance. It’s not every day that metal imitates life, but these ups and downs are too personable to ignore. This perseverance alone has given me cause to give Crashdiet a listen. \m/
CRASHDIET (2010):
- Simon Cruz – Vocals
- Martin Sweet – Guitars
- Peter London – Bass
- Eric Young – Drums
