Love me a bit of Crystal Viper… These days always straddling the line between heavy metal and power metal, the Polish riff machine are at their very worst dependable. Which frankly at the moment we need more of as this year starts off as miserable as the last one ended.
Now I’ll get this out of the way first. After many years of pondering it, I am of the opinion that Lovecraftian lyrics and melodic metal don’t mix well. And this is a themed album. It can be done (Ironsword have done a grand job now and then) but not often and this album is no exception. But that can be overcome by just damned good songs.
So, after a little keyboard intro called ‘Providence’ the machine gun riff cranks up and the title track rides in. Immediately when the voice rips in this couldn’t be anyone else. Ms Gabriel is unmistakable, one of the best metal singers on the planet, and I’m glad to say she is in fine fettle. With a tight scampering riff running between Maidenesque and NWOBHM it’s an energetic and catchy start. Yay!
‘Whispers From Beyond’ is even more intriguing with a doomy beginning and a nice downbeat riff but it kind of steps into almost power ballad territory, which jars I’m afraid. Especially with the lyrical content, but even without it’s almost twee compared to the muscular remainder of the song. ‘Down In The Crypt’ hits the accelerator thankfully and produces a cracking pace and catchy track with Marta showing a little more of the vocal variation she did with the Moon Chamber side project. Lovely stuff.
I guess the kind of folky, swaying intro to ‘Sleeping Giants’ should have warned me. This is not my thing; lilting folky power metal. Great vocals and guitar work can’t rescue it. This is more dancing elves than Lovecraft, but putting that aside it is still just a bit bland. Again, a more up-tempo track rescues us, ‘Forgotten Land’ has one of those great driving NWOBHM riffs and again fantastic lead break, classic metal of the finest quality. ‘Asenath Waite’ is very power metal; galloping riff, air raid siren vocal gymnastics, nice hooks. Yeah, that’s ok too. ‘The Calling ‘ is excellent too, a good old stomp of a chorus, maiden twirls on guitar twisting into classic Viper riffing..
Yeah look; a couple of mis-steps aside this is a fine metal album. It is Crystal Viper so the quality and musicianship is top notch. It’s pure in heart and intent. Not as good as Queen Of The Witches, but frankly if this was any normal time we should all be clamouring for a UK gig to push this.
It’s quality. It’s bright and full of life that makes it a very cool way to start the year. They haven’t let me down. Depending on format there are a couple of cover tracks too. Friends will hate me for this but I really like the King Diamond cover….
Enjoy.
(7/10 Gizmo)
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