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CRYSTAL EYES :
IN SILENCE THEY MARCH

This new CD from these Swedish Power Metallers has its good points and bad points. The problem is that the bad out weigh the good. On the plus side, you have a great vocal performance from Mikael Dahl, who can easily handle both the low, and high-end stuff. There is also some great guitar work from Jonathan Nyberg. Now the bad part... these songs are so week, filled with recycled ideas from second-rate 80s Power Metal bands, flat production, and choruses that are just a tad on the old fruity side. You'll be into a track, which seems decent enough, like lead of track "Time Flight", then, the chorus breaks in, the part where the band would want you to sign along live. And you just stare at your speakers in disbelief, as the sad, sappy, cheesy lyrics, and goofy rhythms poor out, and you can never imagine a crowd of metal heads pumping their fists, and chanting these lines in unison. The other thing that this CD suffers from, which is the problem with many Power Metal outfits, is that they appear to take the subject matter of their lyrics, way to seriously. We are singing here about fantasy, Sci-Fi, and armies of the undead, etc., a common theme in metal, especially Death and Black Metal, as well as Horror Punk. When these bands do it though, it's either way too over the top for anyone to take seriously (Cannibal Corpse), or it's done totally tongue in check (The Misfits). So, the bottom line here, is that hard-core Power Metal fans will probably think this kicks ass, and they'll fill my message board with hate mail. The rest of the metal community will have to look elsewhere for their occasional fix of Power Metal. In my opinion, the have the chops to produce some serious tunes, they just need the songs... maybe an outside writer could bring things into focus. For more info visit the bands web page.
RATING = 4 Power-Metal (Released 2000)

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CRYSTAL EYES :
VENGEANCE DESCENDING

Well, this long running group of Swedish Power-Metal pushers is back with album number three, which took them three years since their last effort (In Silence They March) to get out the door. I have both good and bad news about this disc. First the good, the production this time out, is nice and sharp, and if you're a fan, you'll be happy to know that the band's sound hasn't changed single a bit. Now the bad, if you're not a fan, you'll be disappointed to know that the band's sound hasn't changed a single bit. These guys are still dishing out some of the most cliched Power-Metal cheese to ever emanate from a head-banger's speakers. I'm talkin' lyrics that would make Twisted Sister look like Rage Against The Machine in comparison. Check these examples out.

CHILD OF ROCK

When we're dead and gone
you'll have to carry on
Show them that you're strong
and always remember our song

Oh, oh, child you were born to rock
Oh, oh, child you were born to rock
Oh, oh, child you were born to rock
Oh, oh, child you were born to rock
We were all born to rock!

THE WIZARD'S APPRENTICE

Soon your magic will lie in my hands
Every spell, powerful and grand,
of the greatest Art are going to be known to me
And then, my friend, I will no longer be
the wizard's apprentice.

As you can see, this is the stuff that makes most Metal fans, and those that have always looked down at the entire genre, roll their eyes in disbelief. As I played this is the car, I made sure to keep the windows rolled up, for fear that someone I know might smell the stinky-ass Limburger seeping out of my vehicle. When I was 13, I probably could have gotten into this, but that was the early 80s, and a different time altogether. As an amusing side note, I will mention my son, who is not quite two years old yet, thought this CD was great. When listening to "Child Of Rock", he actually shouted out the last line before it was sung! The song ends with the line "We were all born to...(then there's a big pause)... Rock! My son shouted out "Rock" before vocalist Mikael Dahl had a chance! Then, after the track ended, he demanded "more" and "again", until I played it for him a second time. Make of that what you will, as he also likes songs from "Barney", and "Dora The Explorer".
RATING = 4 Power-Metal (Released 2003)

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