This
is the seventh album by the excellent Swiss
melodic metal band Crystal Ball. Originally
formed back in the middle of the 90's as a cover
band and in 1999 they released their debut album
'In the Beginning'. After several hectic years
between 1999 and 2007, the band released six discs
and toured with Pretty Maids, Gotthard, U.D.O,
Doro, Krokus, Axxis and Pink Cream 69. After 6
years of silence, they are coming back with a steaming
hot and strong metal album that really
knocks me out.
With melodic hard rock and a powerful melodic
metal sound mixed together, this is truly
something that fits my musical taste perfectly.
'Dawnbreaker' is produced by German giant Stefan
Kaufmann and there is a clean and polished wall of
sound on the album, so a grandiose work done by Mr.
Kaufmann.
The remaining two original members: Scott Leach and
Marcel Sardella have re-awakened Crystal Ball and
filled the sleeping line-up with a couple of
new and fresh string warriors and they have also
recruited a great front man in the strong vocalist
Steven Mageney. Classic melodic hard rock with a
big bucket of the harsher metal blend together
perfect in the songs and with Steven and his grainy vocals
they have found an excellent formula.
What a brilliant disc they have done with all the
groovy, attractive rhythms and the stiff,
aggressive guitars. The smooth and gentle ballad
'Eternal Flame' breaks off the dominating up-tempo
metal and is as healthy balm for my ears. I feel
safe and confident when they guide me on their
journey with a moderate throttle opening in the
driver's seat throughout this album and any bad
tunes that require hard presses on the 'skip
button', I can't find at all.
On the contrary! There are lots of tracks that I
want to play over and over again and it results
that my overall rating is very high. I also wants
to play the songs in an unhealthy high volume,
much higher than my wife tolerates...
The score is higher than I had ever anticipated
before I started my journey with these alp
residents. The long break has
apparently done them good, because this comeback
album is an exuberant and very welcome addition to
my collection. I cross my fingers that they come
up to us in the north (of Sweden) if they go on tour
again...
An absolute must buy if you like melodic hard rock
with tougher and powerful metal sound.
Line
up:
Steven Mageney - Vocals
Scott Leach - Guitars
Markus Flury - Guitars
Cris Stone - Bass
Marcel Sardella - Drums
