2005 re-issue

One of the brightest new power metalbands to pop up recently is Crystal Eyes, from Sweden. They blendin pieces of Hammerfall, Gamma Ray, and Running Wild seamlesslywith a bit of Yngwie sprinkled over the top and a splash of BlindGuardian in some of the medieval influenced sections. Its a recipefor success, and they are aiming for just that. "World of Black andSilver" is an excellent album being a debut release. Their sound ispretty standard formula, until you start counting the guitar workwhich is captivating throughout this disk. The riffs and solossplattered all over the tunes are extremely unusual, and veryaddictive. If there is one thing that stands out in this release,its the outstanding axe slinging. The vocalist is nothingspectacular, being in the same type as Joacim Cains fromHammerfall, but with a slightly deeper voice, better equipped forsinging about dragons and kings and all those medieval thingsconvincingly. The rhythm section is fairly tight, and hammers whenit needs to. Songs are all well written, with punch, flair, melodyand enough progressive type elements to keep them spiced up andinteresting. In fact if there´s anything I would count off for, itsthe lyrics, which, I am sure they did their best, but it comes offas cheesy if you take the words and actually read the verses.However, oddly enough, the way its delivered it gives the illusionof being perfect with shades of brilliance, which shows just howmuch good music can overpower lyrics in a heartbeat. Too manyhighlights from the album to mention, but I´ll pick a handfulanyway. "Extreme Paranoia" is a frantic speed metal tune thatreminds me of Gamma Ray. Haunting through and through is "Victimsof the Frozen Hate" with its guitar driven melodies, icy acousticguitar that sends shivers up the spine, and a very convincing vocalperformance. My pick of the album, its not too speedy nor too slow,but instead opts for a pacing inbetween. The solo completely rips,backed up by some slow heavy rhythm guitar work, while the leadguitar shreds all over the place, and the build-up after the soloback into the chorus is suitably dramatic. "Rage of the Sea"features a blistering opening riff that is so Running Wild-likethat its nearly scary. The medieval feel it radiates could alsohave landed it on something similar to the Conan the Barbariansoundtrack. Just another example of the high standards set foraxeslinging on this album. Its not your everyday filler riffs andsubstandard "just because" solos. That short opening riff isslipped in here and there throughout the song to retain that feelachieved at the very beginning. The fading sound of the ocean wavesadds an extra atmospheric touch to the ending. "Winds of the Free"is quick and fast like a strong blowing wind. Straightforward andpacked with guitar and a great chorus, its just another good songon a great album. The frantic double bass drumwork and fieryguitarwork blast this song wide open. The grand finale for thealbum, the title track, "World of Black and Silver" is an oddlittle tune, that truly sounds like it comes out of anotheruniverse, or perhaps even from a world of black and silver. Neverhave I heard acoustic work that is as grabbing as this in a waythat it just crawls into the skin, which provides the "silver" feelof the song. While the "black" would definitely be the insanelaughter the singer suddenly breaks off into, which is quiteunnerving. A mystical trip into a delusional world of insanity,which I have a feeling was inspired by the Crimson Glory song "LostReflection". Crystal Eyes may sound like a mishmash of otherfavorite power metal bands, but their songs are far from soundinglike standard material. They toss in plenty of little extras like,chimes, riffs, samples such as birds singing or the ocean waves,that takes the listener off guard. Many times during the first fewruns through the album, I would gasp in surprise over the directiona song would take or the sheer addictiveness of some of theirriffs. Its not a common thing for music to be capable of shaking upthe listener and going far beyond their current expectations asthis album often does. A real gem of a debut release for 1999, ifCrystal Eyes is capable of this kind of work now, just wait fortheir next album, they have the talent to make it big in the powermetal world. Keep your eye on this band, they will definitely bemoving up in the ranks very shortly.

Track listing:
1. Interstellar War
2. Gods Of The World
3. Winds of The Free
4. The Power Behind The Throne
5. The Dragons Lair
6. Eyes Of The Forest Gloom
7. Rage On The Sea
8. Victims Of The Frozen Hate
9. Extreme Paranoia
10. Glory Ride
11. World Of Black And Silver

Condition cover: nm

Condition cd: nm

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Skick gradering:

M (mint)/NM (near mint) = Nyskick/Mycket bra exemplar
+/- = mindre skillnader inom