08/05/2025
Hi Everybody.
I've got a new review for "In For The Kill", the debut EP from London based Melodic Rock/Metal band .
Crusader – In For The Kill EP (2025)
Running Time 14:30
8/10
Review by Rick Tilley
If I think back to the 1980’s, when I was first discovering the explosion of Rock & Metal bands, there was a time when MTV (when it actually played music) was awash with bands like Cinderella, Def Leppard, Dokken, Giant, House Of Lords, Lillian Axe, Quiet Riot, Skid Row, Steelheart, Tyketto, Warrant, Whitesnake & Winger, amongst many others.
Some of those bands are still around today, in one form or another, but the 1990’s was a bad time for Melodic Hard Rock, Hair/Glam Metal bands as the Grunge movement and then Nu-Metal spread their horrid tendrils over everything, forcing the aforementioned acts, as well has Heavier bands to go underground, split up or change their sound to try and fit in, often alienating the fan base they still had left.
Thankfully, in the early 2000’s, many bands started emerge from hibernation and they were joined by new ones aiming to emulate their heroes such as Crashdïet, Crazy Lixx, H.E.A.T and Reckless Love. They have since been joined by many more and a new contender from London, England has arrived in 2025...Crusader!
Now when I hear that word I automatically think of the Saxon song and album from 1984 because I am such a huge fan of that band but ‘Crusader’ the band worship at the feet of 1980’s Glam/Hair Rock & Metal and they do it incredibly well. Their three track EP “In For The Kill” is full of references to Def Leppard, Warrant, Great White & Dokken etc and even though it’s difficult these days to be totally original they put enough of their own stamp on proceedings to not be direct copies. It helps that they have an incredibly capable vocalist and guitarist. Also, for a debut, the production is nothing short of superb.
All three tracks ‘Wanted Man’, ‘Time (Never Stops Running)’ and ‘In For The Kill’ have great riffs, choruses, solos, even key changes in the correct place and make me think back to a time when I actually had hair and could sit in a field at a festival without getting cramp. It leaves me wanting more, which is always a good thing, and I’m very much looking forward to a full album.
If this genre of Rock/Metal music is your thing then you probably won’t hear a more authentic sounding release in 2025.
https://thebandcrusader.bandcamp.com/
Metal Message ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001
