Swedish Sleaze Kings Crashdïet have dropped a bomb on fans this morning announcing the departure of much loved vocalist Gabriel Keyes. The news has left fans uncertain of its future but their is hope in the distance. The band were quick to put any potential rumours to heel as they announced who will be taking over the torch of vocalist and who will be kicking up a storm behind the drums.
The surprising announcement came via social media just after 9am this morning. The post spoke about Gabriel’s decision to leave the band after “much soul searching” and to “focus on other things in life”. The news has caught fans completely off guard after recent activity on social media announcing upcoming shows with no inkling of internal changes.
Replacing Gabriel is Confess frontman John Elliot. Confess is a part of the Swedish glam and hair metal scene starting in Stockholm back in 2005. Gabriel released his own statement encouraging the fans to welcome John to the band. Most fans have commented that they are “heartbroken” at the news but wish Gabriel the best with his new adventures.
Not only were fans hit with this news but also the confirmation that long term drummer Eric Young was not returning behind the kit. Instead, Martin Sweet‘s (guitarist) brother Michael has taken the crash and is rolling with the band. Michael is also the drummer for goth glam metal band ToxicRose. Michael has covered Eric for many shows since 2011 so he was a “natural fit” for the band. Peter London (bassist) has been dealing with health issues citing burnout and took time out from the band to regain his strength. Now the band is ready to take on the next chapter in their saga.
A Brief History of Crashdiet
The band was first conceived in 2000 and quickly gained a cult following in its native country Sweden. They released a few demos via downloads on their website and people started to take notice. But in late 2002, the band decided to call it quits, but one man wasn’t happy about that. Dave Lepard (vocalist) reformed the band and announced Martin Sweet and Peter London had joined the band on Christmas Day, with a call out for drummers. By April 2003, Eric Young was announced as the drummer. The band was complete.
Later in 2003 the band released their self titled EP and was signed to Universal Records in 2004. Crashdïet had arrived!
Rest In Sleaze was released in 2005 and debuted at number 12 on the Swedish album chart. Four singles were released from the album: Riot in Everyone, Breakin’ the Chains, Knokk ‘Em Down and It’s a Miracle. Even with its successful album, they were not that well known outside of Sweden. They went on tour to support the album throughout Sweden in the autumn and even performed at Download Festival, UK in 2005. Sadly this high was to last.
January 20th 2006, Dave Lepard committed suicide after battling severe depression which he hid from family and friends. The band announced that they would not continue the band explaining, “The band consisted of four people and now one of them has left us.” But after talking with Dave’s family and giving their blessing, Crashdïet announced in April 2006 that they would carry on the band in Dave’s memory.
22nd January 2007, H. Olliver Twisted joined the band. A Finnish singer from the glam metal band Reckless Love, he is best known now as Olli Herman and is also the singer for Finnish band Popeda. The band released the album “The Unattractive Revolution” on 3rd October 2007, it charted at number 11 on the Swedish album charts with the singles “In the Raw” and “Falling Rain” being unleashed. Crashdïet supported fellow Swedes Hardcore Superstar on their tour from November 2007 to April 2008 but in July 2008, it was announced via the bands website that an agreement had been made between the band and H. Olliver Twisted to leave the band.
Time to Cruz
The next chapter began with the announcement of vocalist Simon Cruz in 2009 with him playing his first gig with the band at Sweden Rock Cruise in October 2009. Generation Wild tore into the Swedish album charts at number 3 upon its release in April 2010. The single, Generation Wild was released in February 2010 with a music video that was eventually banned by MTV due to obscene imagery. In September 2010, the band opened up for Ozzy Osborne in Globen, Sweden and then went onto play to 55,000 people at SWU Festival in Brazil, where the band amassed a huge following! Fourth album, Savage Playground was released in January 2013 with the single Cocaine Cowboys being released the previous December. Everything seemed to be going great and then suddenly during the band’s 2015 tour in Japan, Simon Cruz came off stage and never came back, leaving fans and probably band members in a state of bewilderment.
The music of Gabriel Keyes had brought excitement to fans around the world and amazement at how he blended in the previous vocalists into one outstanding voice. From the release of We Are The Legion in December 2017 to the album Rust via Frontiers Music Srl in September 2019, the band’s work has been met with much praise and love. Even during the dark times of the global Covid Pandemic, they managed to delight fans and bring them together through events such as the Quarantine Thrills YouTube livestream.
Once the darkness had lifted, they were back performing to audiences all over Europe including here in the UK. I adored their show at Call of the Wild in May 2022 and reminded me how much joy and energy they brought to their shows. But once again, this chapter has closed on a very thick book of Swedish Sleaze Kings history.
What Now?
Crashdïet has overcome tragedies and line up changes during its 24-year journey, yet continues to captivate audiences with their infectious sleaze riddled music. With six albums to their name, there’s no doubt that they are here to stay and will keep rocking into the future.
GlamRat 