Crystal Viper: The Silver Key

While not typically a fan of female-fronted metal, I must acknowledge Marta Gabriel's impressive legacy with Crystal Viper, now on their 9th studio album, The Silver Key. Despite the departure of longtime guitarist Andy Wave, the band delivers a solid performance, with Marta handling vocals, bass, guitars, piano, and songwriting duties. The NWOBHM influence is clear, blended with power metal and symphonic elements, showcasing exceptional guitar work, driving bass lines, and Marta's crystalline vocals.

Some standout tracks are the melodic and memorable “Old House in The Mist� and “The Key Is Lost�, songs where neoclassical guitar technique merges with nuances of symphonic metal, resulting in material reminiscence of Bruce Dickinson’s solo output. The powerful and contagious “Book of Dead�, with Gabriel using her wide and somehow operatic vocal range, the title track, “The Silver Key�, to me the best song on the record with unquestionable catchiness that reminds me of the later era Maiden song “If Eternity Should Fail�. “Escape From Yaddith� is another very solid song, dark and doomy, and might contain the best guitar work of the whole album, and the bonus track (cd/digital) “Gods Of Thunder Of Wind And Of Rain� besides having another cool guitar shredding, teases with some powerful Viking metal, and does so without becoming an outlier from the setlist.

Although it may lean towards generic power metal territory for me, Marta's voice shines, crafting infectious and dangerous melodies akin to a viper's bite. The Silver Key is a worthy addition to any fan's collection and a pleasant listen for metal enthusiasts. Cheers to Crystal Viper for maintaining their high standards!"

Track Listing:
1. Return To Providence (1:43)
2. Fever Of the Gods (4:09)
3. Old House in The Mist (4:21)
4. The Key Is Lost (4:07)
5. Heading Kadath (4:03)
6. Book Of the Dead (4:03)
7. The Silver Key (5:01)
8. Wayfaring Dreamer (3:58)
9. Escape From Yaddith (5:04)
10. Cosmic Forces Overtake (4:46)
11. Gods Of Thunder of Wind and Of Rain (5:22)

Added: July 15th 2024
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 309
Language: english

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