Scorpions, Crystal Ball reviews

In Musical Orbit by Jupiter

Jupiter at Highwire Daze Online Crew East Coast Editor

Hey everyone! It’s

Jupiter Lee - East Coast

Editor. Check out my record reviews here and be sure to add me on Facebook! Link is at the end of my column...

Rock Believer Scorpions Spinefarm Records

With the release of their 19th album ROCK BELIEVER and having sold more than 120 million albums, for 50 years SCORPIONS have remained one of metals’ most precious and important bands. Having only two remaining original members are vocalist / frontman KLAUS MEINE and guitarist RUDOLF SCHENKER.

Barreling into the first tune is Gas In The Tank and has this smokin’, rockin’ yet commercial sound to it. MEINE showing he still has one of the best voices in metal today. Contemporary metal and rock beats, extraordinary musical arrangements prevail and show no signs of them slowing down the pace they’ve set for themselves. Track 02, Roots In My Boots further shows their musical prowess with its’ fast paced riffs. Monstrously heavy is #06 Seventh Sun. Track 09 Peacemaker is one of my favorites.

Another highlight for me is their last song, track #16 When You Know (Where You Come From). This tune is totally different from the rest . Simply acoustic guitar and MEINE ‘s voice. The album is so well - produced and makes you wonder if there’s anything they can’t do. The album contains 16 tracks.

Make sure you leave a good hour to experience ROCK BELIEVER. Stay tuned for a SCORPIONS tour scheduled for around March - April 2022!

Crysteria Crystal Ball Massacre Records

From Switzerland, welcome to the new album from CRYSTAL BALL. It’s called CRYSTERIA. Formed in 1998, it begins their 3rd decade as a band. Musicians include vocalist / frontman STEVEN MAGENEY, guitarist PETER BERGER, guitarist SCOTT LEACH, bass guitarist CRIS STONE and drummer MARCEL SARDELLA.

Opening with a gripping keyboard intro then quickly followed by driving, melodic guitar on track 01 What Part Of No. Though I feel it’s more a guitar - based song, tasteful keyboards are a big part of their sound but they’re not over-mixed. Drummer has a fresh, melodic sense to his playing. Track 02 You Lit My Fire has a surprisingly catchy chorus. Harmonies could rival QUEEN. Also I think you can hear some RONNIE JAMES DIO influence in MAGENEY’s voice. Guitar solo is short and to the point; very nice! Track 03 features RONNIE ROMERO on Call Of The Wild. Track 04, I Am Rock contains a cool medium tempo galloping type beat. Next track 05 Undying begins with a drum intro that helps to define the 4 on the floor groove and the driving force behind it. Everyone is on the top of their game in this band. Bass and drums work especially well together. The album has many songs about keeping your hopes and dreams alive. Excellent double bass drum work on the title track 06 Crysteria and will surprise you with it’s killin’ ending. Track #7 Make My Day contains a different feel and beat.. strutting, fresh and exciting. Vocal harmonies are a huge part of CRYSTAL BALL’s sound and is almost like having another instrument. Digging this very much. Onto track 08 , No Limits, syncopated keyboards compliment SARDELLA’s drum beat. Well - spaced vocals leave just enough room for all of their awesome instrumentations. Another really catchy hook then modulates into another flawlessly executed guitar solo. Driving rhythms are throughout the recording and maintains a consistent flow. The final tune, Til You Meet Again, was written with piano and vocal. At 55 minutes in length and 13 tracks, CRYSTERIA has a great flow to it and also features many very special guests. This will be a great live band!!

https://www.the-scorpions.com/ https://www.crystal-ball.ch/en/band/

JUPITER on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Jupiter-Lee-173082899386911