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crystalviper crimenexcepta
Artist: Crystal Viper
Title: Crimen Expecta
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release Date: 27th April 2012
Label: AFM Records


Album Review

CRYSTAL VIPER is a Polish Heavy Metal band, formed in 2003 by Marta Gabriel, singer and guitar player. In April 2012, the band released its fourth full-length album, ‘Crimen Excepta’, which follows the success of records like ‘Legends’ (2010) or the debut ‘The Curse Of The Crystal Viper’ (2007).
The band’s most remarkable feature is Marta’s strong and unique vocals. ‘Crimen Expecta’ consists of eight regular songs plus two bonus versions, ‘Tyrani Piekiel’, a cover by their countrymen Vader and ‘Ghost Of Sherwood’. The opener ‘Witch’s Mark’ is a very powerful song with a catchy chorus that demonstrates Marta’s strong vocal range – from deep to high, from soft to strong. All song structures on ‘Crimen Excepta’ are appropriate, it is not too hard to indulge into the music but the more you listen, the more details you’ll recognize. ‘Child Of The Flame’ slows the tempo of the album a bit down and includes some nice group chants. The title track ‘Crimen Excepta’ is at the same time the longest of the album with a play time of seven minutes. In the middle, an instruments-only part is played, which then veers over to some male vocals.

This diversity suits the style of CRYSTAL VIPER very well. In general, Marta’s vocals are very dominant and definitely define CRYSTAL VIPER. Yet, the rest of the musicians do not need to stand behind, since the songs are multilayered, include many different facets and very well arranged. ‘The Spell Of Death’ has some occult and evil connotations, some unusual, harmonic twists and turns can be heard as well as fast, heavy riffs. The whispered, inserted vocals add a mysterious, haunted feeling to the atmosphere. ‘Hope Is Gone, Here’s New Law’ continues in that manner, before the last regular song ‘Fire Be My Gates’ ends the album in a very massive and dignified way, starting with an almost orchestra-like intro. The overall song is a bit slower, somehow majestic and Marta’s vocals once again set a broad spectrum of tonal shades into music. The Vader cover is interesting to listen to, since it encompasses distinguishable features of both bands, at the same time. Overall, the original spirit does not get lost, still the typical CRYSTAL VIPER touch is added. ‘Ghosts Of Sherwood’ closes the album in a calmer, soothing manner. In general, ‘Crimen Excepta’ is a good album, which is highly recommended to all fans of Heavy Metal.


Tracklist

01. Witch’s Mark
02. Child Of The Flame
03. It’s Your Omen
04. Crimen Excepta
05. Medicus Animarum
06. The Spell Of Death
07. Hope Is Gone, Here’s New Law
08. Fire Be My Gates
09. Tyrani Piekiel (Vader cover) (Bonus)
10. Ghosts Of Sherwood (Bonus)


Line-up

Marta Gabriel – Vocals, Guitar
Andy Wave – Guitar
Tom Woryna – Bass
Golem – Drums


Website

www.crystalviper.com


Cover Picture

crystalviper crimenexcepta


Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10





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