CRYSTAL BALL „Timewalker”

Music: Melodic Heavy Rock/Metal
Country: Switzerland
Website: http://www.crystal-ball.ch
Duration: 44.25
Cool Songs: Digital World, Tear Down The Wall, Powerflight, Fallen From Grace

From the land of Celtic Frost and…ahem, Krokus, comes the fifth full length from Switzerland’s Crystal Ball. Entitled ‘Timewalker’, it arrives some two years after their Nuclear Blast debut ‘Hellvetia’. I do not have fond memories of that album at all. In fact, it astounds me that a band so ‘safe’ and ‘predictable’ as this is still able to command a contract from such an esteemed label. If ever you wanted a perfect definition of bland, middle tier melodic hard rock cum ‘light’ metal band, Crystal Ball is it.

Clearly, Crystal Ball is doing something right though. But other than providing honest, professional sounding 80’s style heavy metal with a massive emphasis on big stadium, sing-a-long choruses, I cannot for the life of me understand what their appeal is. Obviously there is a certain part of the metal market (somewhere in the middle of Europe and big city Japan) that find Crystal Ball’s take on an extremely well worn style very attractive. These folk must be the most accommodating and easily pleased metal fans on the planet.

Crystal Ball has never been the most innovative metal band. Sure, they appear to be one of the hardest working (five full lengths in seven years says so), but apart from a few slightly interesting moments of creativity, ‘Timewalker’ is virtually the same old story. Obviously, Crystal Ball is very comfortable with their lot. They certainly don’t ask much of their audience (and that’s probably half of their appeal right there), however, as much as fans of big 80’s style stadium anthems (Bon Jovi/White Lion/Bonfire et.al) will identify with the material on ‘Timewalker’ the big problem still remains – Crystal Ball just don’t have the songwriting to cut it. You’ve heard this all before, done much better, in a way more productive and exciting period in metal/hard rock.

‘Timewalker’s major strength actually lies in the conceptual theme that revolves around an individual from the past (or as depicted on the cover art, a native Amazonian) ‘time walking’ through significant moments of history – i.e.: Digital World – a look at the current day, Tear Down the Wall – Berlin 1989 and Powerflight – Lindberg’s Transatlantic Crossing are just a few of the topics addressed. It’s just a pity that musically, everything on this is just sooooooo cliché and uninspired. I’m not exactly thrilled with the overtly Helloween-ish ‘happy’ power metal romps of
‘Celebration’ and ‘Sensational’ either. Oh, the sugar…the cheese…

If you just have to have every conceivable heavy rock/melodic metal album in existence, then Crystal Ball’s ‘Timewalker’ is for you. But in all honesty, when you consider the hundreds of other like minded acts that do this waaaay better, I cannot see why you would need this album. It’s solid and professionally delivered and all, but as far as something memorable, phhttt!! It’s just not there folks. I won’t be playing this again next week, let alone next year.

note: 4.5/10

Tracklist

Digital World
Tear Down The Wall
He Came To Change The World
Walk Through Time
Mozart Symphony
Powerflight
Fallen From Grace
Celebration
Sensational
The Eye Of The Storm
Talking To The walls

Line-up

Mark Sweeney – Vocals
Scott Leach – Guitar
Tom Graber – Guitar & Keyboards
Danny Schallibaum – Bass
Marcel Sardella – Drums