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6.5
- Bands:
CRYSTAL VIPER - Duration: 00:41:15
- Available from: 06/28/2024
- Label:
-
Listenable Records
Streaming not yet available
Crystal Viper are back to make themselves heard, a Polish band that has always not held back when it comes to showcasing grit and energy while remaining anchored within speed and classic heavy metal sounds.
If the previous “The Cult” – from three years ago – had disappointed us a little due to a return to the origins with more direct and metallic songs, but with few ideas compared to some modern digressions contained in the previous works, this new one “The Silver Key” continues on the same path; in fact, it seems that the group wants to get straight to the substance without obvious contamination, to the delight of the purest defenders.
This time, however, we notice a variety in the songwriting that positively surprises us: the songs run decisively along often wild rhythms, but there are also some quieter and more melodic passages that don’t hurt at all, finding a good balance overall.
If for the lyrics the band is inspired by the horror stories of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, as for the music the main influences are certainly Chastain, Metal Church and obviously the eternal Judas Priest.
Powerful and fast songs with sharp vocal lines interpreted well by the rough and explosive uvula of the singer, leader and bassist Marta Gabriel, absolute protagonist of the entire album: “Fever Of The Gods” and “Old House In The Mist”, in particular, form an opening pairing full of energy, two songs that run quickly without inventing anything but showing a good shot.
But the variety of the work, mentioned above, is discovered when arriving at the engaging midtempo “The Key Is Lost” and with the title track, another song that moves with the engine revs always under control, highlighting a good taste for melodies by the Nordic band with a delightful chorus. There even finds space for a ballad with the following “Wayfaring Dreamer” – to be honest, a little flat – before getting back to speed with the vigorous “Escape From Yaddith” and “Cosmic Forces Overtake” driven by Gabriel’s pounding bass.
The ninth studio album by Crystal Viper strikes decisively, showing quite mature songwriting and allowing itself to be listened to with a certain pleasure.
