If The Savage Playground is the first studio album the Swedish band have recorded with a repeat performance from a vocalist, then they must be doing something right. It's only taken them four studio albums to find what they were looking for. After the tragic death of original member Dave Lepard, and a short stint with H. Olliver Twisted (now more commonly known as Olli Herman, frontman of Finnish glam metal band Reckless Love), Crashdïet returned with 'Generation Wild', and locked down what appears to be the perfect outfit for their image and sound in the form of Simon Cruz. Opening the album with a post-apocalyptic feel - a theme mirrored by their April UK tour co-headliners Jettblack and their music video for 'Raining Rock' - they're quick to blast into heavy-duty riffs very reminiscent of their 'Rest In Sleaze' era. Equally powerful is the first single from the album, 'Cocaine Cowboys', which starts slowly with a bluesy intro that instantly reminds me of Aerosmith's 'Hangman Jury', before blasting in your face that signature Crashdïet sound. Upon first listen, the most noticeable element to the album is how their music has matured since their debut release. Of course, the rebellious attitude, dirty hooks and big riffs that made them grab our attention first time around are still present. However, the record as a whole is less - macabre? - than their previous efforts, and in terms of musical stylings, surprisingly melodic: especially evident in tracks such as 'California'. Personal standout track has to be 'Lickin' Dog': over three minutes of nothing but insults. What's not to love about that? Overall: a great achievement. Crashdïet are sounding better than ever, and the strength behind 'The Savage Playground' should propel them far enough to reach the parts of the globe they've yet to dominate; introducing a whole new audience to one of the best sleaze rock bands on the circuit today. The Magnificent Seven may have dealt in lead, but with these cowboys, their biggest and baddest weapon is rock.