CRIME actually popped up out of nowhere in 1993, when these German guys from the town of Geislingen an der Steige started making their own brand of Melodic Rock, or if you wish AOR. They actually released their debut album “Hard Times” in that year, followed by their sophomore album “No Cure” in 1995. After that it all goes silent, until 2019, when original singer Stavros Moutzoglou („Staffi") dies in his hometown in Greece. That inspires the remaining members of CRIME to get together again, and they actually decide to start and write new music as well as relearning the older songs. The result comes in the form of a third studio album in 2022, which is called “Master Of Illusion”. Many people considered this to be a flash in the pan, but now, some three years later they are present again, presenting us with “Cold Air”.

On their fourth Melodic Rock/AOR album they have decided to just keep going in the direction they had taken before, and after a few listens I have to say that this can be considered a good move. I have to mention the few listening sessions, because at first listen/glance I actually found the music on “Cold Air” to be quite bland, and on the border of boring. It took me a few attempts to really start to dig what CRIME brings to the table, and now I can say that I actually am able to fully enjoy listening to the album. The songs need time to release their potential, to show the depths that are there, to develop into full experiences. But let me also warn you; if you are not a full-on Melodic Rock enthusiast or AOR aficionado, you will struggle to comprehend what this “Cold Air” is throwing at you through your speakers or headphones.

And even then you will not be wowed into thinking that you are listening to a full-on revelation of epic proportions. No, your thought will be that even though CRIME isn’t hitting the dizzying heights of immortality, they are certainly capable of playing good songs, recorded in just the right way. What always helps with Melodic Rock is a proper production, and in that respect CRIME have stuck gold, as the sound is exactly as one would hope. And for those who like their Melodic Rock to grow some balls from time to time, just listen to the title track “Cold Air”. It’s a belter.