Crystal Eyes was one of those bands that I had heard a lot about, but never actually heard. The only previous knowledge I had about them was that they are a Power / Classic Metal band. Then when I received the album, the cover art made it look like a Death Metal band or something, and I was thinking is this the same Crystal Eyes I had in mind?. Luckily, for my Death Metal hating ass, it was a Power / Classic Metal album.
Crystal Eyes formed in 1992 originally thanks to Mikael Dahl and ex-member Nicolas Karlsson. They then recorded their first demo, Crystal Eyes, in 1994. They would go through various lineup changes and make 4 more demos before getting the attention of the Crazy Life label in 1998 and released World Of Black And Silver. Following that they would release In Silence They March in 2000 and Vengeance Descending in 2002. For their latest release,  Confessions Of The Maker, they recruited Daniel Heiman (ex-Lost Horizon) to do the lead vocals because Mikael decided that it was time for a change rather than him doing all the lead vocals.
Upon the first listen I was very pleased with what I was hearing. The press release that came with the album said influences were Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. Frankly, I don't really hear the Sabbath influence, but to say the least Priest is definitely prevalent. Call me a sucker for Vikings and such subject matter, but the songs that are favorite are Northern Rage and The Charioteer.  I just really dig that subject matter quite a bit.
The album overall has been very well produced, and sounds fantastic.  Though I think they need to make up their mind about singers because Daniel is only singing on this album. I really don't like it when bands change singers constantly because I think that bands need to be together a while to really get the best out of each other, but maybe it's just me. Anyway, if you dig Power / Classic Metal I would suggest picking up this record.