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[ More Music Reviews ]

Crystal Eyes: Starbourne Traveler

Melodic Power Metal Rock

4.0/5.0

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Massacre Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 27.11.2019 | Released: 06.12.2019

It takes Mikael Dahl (founder, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist) and Crystal Eyes four to six years, but the band eventually finds their way back to the studio. Starbourne Traveler, their eighth album, brings about a new version of Crystal Eyes, featuring new members Henrik Birgersson (Defenders Of The Faith) on drums and Jonatan Hallberg (Sacred) on guitar. Turning another page, whereas in the past, Dahl wrote all the songs, on this album it was a team effort.

Crystal Eyes

It's been five years since a studio album, perhaps a short refresher on Crystal Eyes metal music is in order. Essentially, Crystal Eyes plays a hybrid of classic melodic, heavy, and power metal, very guitar forward, and wrapped in some fine hard rock groove. While a teen, Dahl was inspired by the likes of Twisted Sister and Motley Crue, but you'll also hear vintage metal derived from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, and Helloween.

Crystal Eyes works the essentials like twin guitar riff harmony, shared guitar leads ala Priest and Maiden and then, underneath, the rhythm section delivers a strong measure of gallop and rock groove. Dahl as a vocalist has something of an assertive, sometimes raw, presentation, but your ears will easily adapt. In the song composition, all these things are wrapped in melody and harmony by the guitars and vocal arrangements, and Crystal Eyes is quick to drop in a catchy chorus.

To mention a few songs, Crystal Eyes gets the galloping metal rock groove going with Gods Of Disorder, Extreme Paranoia, and Into The Fire. Midnight Radio definitely turns on some heavy metal rock as Dahl pays tribute to the Eighties Swedish radio show Rockbox which higly influenced his mix tape. An acoustic ballad with some grand vocal choral harmony comes with In The Empire Of Saints, where Dahl mourns the loss of a friend to cancer. The title cut, Starbourne Traveler, mostly melodic heavy metal, rides upon a terrific Birgersson drum line. All in all, even with a five year wait, Starbourne Traveler was worth it. Crystal Eyes delivers another solid album of their guitar driven and melodic, power metal rock. Recommended.

Magic Kingdom: Met Almighty

Symphonic Power Metal

3.5/5.0

When he's not working his Iron Mask project, guitar magician Dugan Petrossi also juggles his Magic Kingdom band. Returning with their fifth long-player ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

All in all, even with a five year wait, Starbourne Traveler was worth it. Crystal Eyes delivers another solid album of their guitar driven and melodic, power metal rock. Recommended.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]