Crystal Tears Generation X
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer
If you are into power metal, then this release is for you. Generation X is the second release from the Greek power metal quartet Crystal Tears, and it is about a pure a display of power metal as one can imagine. Not pretending to be anything but power metal, Crystal Tears belts out track after track of intense and aggressive music loaded with all of the standard power metal trademarks and a huge amount of melody.
Formed back in 1997 in Thessaloniki, Greece, Crystal Tears had three demo releases and one official release under their belts before joining forces with Dutch power metal vocalist Ian Parry (Elegy, Infinity Overture, Ayreon) in 2008. This seems to be a winning combination. Parry’s voice is very appropriate for the genre – strong and edgy with a decent range. Like many power metal singers he has one of those extreme voices that you’ll either love or hate. Guitarist Dimitris swings a fine axe – laying down massive hooks and dynamic riffs while managing to be delicate when called for – and he is a good soloist with a deft touch and a sense of propriety. Stratos Dionisopoulos is a great metal bassist, equally as comfortable laying down simple backing bass or big bubbling bass passages. Chrisafis Tantanozis is a solid drummer whether doing manic double bass or simple cymbal fills.
The album launches with “Inner Spirit” and pulls no punches. It is filled with big guitars, pounding drums and booming bass and solid vocals – totally intense but somehow still melodic. This is the trademark of Crystal Tears, and is consistent from song to song. “Heroes” is a real energetic track with an amazing solo that highlights Dimitris Goutziamanis’ massive guitar chops. The intro to “Crystal Tears” is one of the few slow and relaxed passages on the CD and proves that the band has the capability to play slow and emotional if they choose to do so. “Rock Until We Fall” is the band’s best track and embodies their unpretentious in-your-face attitude. It gives Parry the chance to push his vocal range to the max and give each band member the opportunity to show off.
Generation X is well engineered and produced with all elements falling into place smoothly. Instruments and vocals are well balanced and everything is clear. The mix does have a bit of the typical power metal sterility, but this is not inappropriate for the genre. The song structures are simple and basic as the band forgoes many of the flourishes and frills of other power metal acts, and provides straightforward and refreshing melodic metal.
Crystal Tears is a very good power metal band, laying down the heavy stuff without apology. Musically they are tight, polished and precise. The one flaw with Generation X is the lack of musical variation. Every track pretty much grabs the listener by the throat and throttles him to death without mercy or compromise. A slower track or two would have provided a welcome respite from the relentless pounding and made the album musically complete. As it is, Generation X can wear you out by the end – and unless you are a SERIOUS power metal fanatic the constant pummeling is too much of a good thing.
If you are a power metal fan, you can’t go wrong with Crystal Tears. Their music is simple, direct, melodic pure power metal – a shining example of the genre at its most refined. If you are hunting for music that pushes the envelope or evolves the style, look away.
Genre: Power Metal
Band:
Ian Parry (vocals)
Chrisafis Tantanozis (drums)
Stratos Dionisopoulos (bass)
Dimitris Goutziamanis (guitars)
Track Listing:
1. Inner Spirit
2. Heroes
3. Nightmare Serenade
4. Empty Paradise
5. Crystal Tears
6. In The Beginning
7. Rock Until We Fall
8. Predators
9. Flesh N Bone
10. The X Generation
Label: 7hard Records
Website: http://www.myspace.com/crystaltearsgr
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10 (8.5 if you can deal with the intensity)