Crown Lands-Fearless (2023)

One of the latest surprises to emerge from Canada is the duo Crown Lands, a group formed in 2015 by vocalist and drummer Cody Bowles and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Comeau. Their style, clearly influenced by their compatriots Rush, is characterized by its science fiction and epic themes, as well as the talented musicianship of its members. After an intriguing self-titled debut album released in 2020, they worked hard on their second full-length album, "Fearless," which showcases their clear influences from Rush's golden era. Epic tracks like "Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II" also reveal other rock roots, ranging from the ambiguous rock of Nazareth to the powerful sound of fellow Canadians Triumph, resulting in a remarkable work that seamlessly and originally blends different styles. The hard rock tracks "Dreamer of the Dawn" and "The Shadows" leave us with a taste of 70s sounds, while in other cuts like "Citadel" or "Lady of the Lake", the Zeppelin influences are more than evident. Ultimately, this album is a good sampler of what this band could offer in the coming years, despite its clear and evident stylistic connotations and influences from the trio of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson.