CRYSTAL VIPER is a 4 piece Traditional Heavy Metal band from Katowice, Silesia, Poland. This is their first ever live release and was recorded during ''The Silver Key Tour'' in Poland, Germany, Austria, Denmark and throughout Europe. The quartet has been at it since 2004 and are starting to make a name for themselves especially during the pandemic. I remember reading a lot about the band during the pandemic years and that's where I first came across the band. I had heard from various articles and friends that Marta Gabriel was a force to be reckoned with and one of the most dynamic frontwomen in all of Metal and they were absolutely right.

First of all, I am definitely impressed by the live mix of this album. It's always hit or miss when mixing, recording and mastering a live album especially in Metal (and in Progressive Music as well). Sometimes the instruments are not mixed well with the vocals or vice-versa but I was surprised by the quality of the mix. This reminds me of two very good live albums from the last few years, both in Tilburg, Netherlands by Power Metal stalwarts ALESTORM and KAMELOT respectively. It's no easy task to feel the live atmosphere when you listen to any live recording but they managed to an awesome job on this one. Their sound ranges from ACCEPT like Speed Metal to classic Power Metal while channeling their inner NWOBHM. Each song has it's own identity and nothing seems to be homogenous and that's a great sign for any new fan out there.

Traditional heavy metal is a difficult field to stand out in. Even the better of the younger bands occasionally have moments that make you wish you were listening to the bands that inspired them instead. That used to be my exact opinion about so many bands, old and new that I discover: why would I listen to them if I could listen to WARLOCK instead? Over the last few albums, however, they have gradually been improving, eventually becoming a mainly mid-tempo, yet surprisingly varied heavy metal band with a more pronounced aggressive edge than most of their peers. Admittedly, the excellent vocals of Marta Gabriel have contributed to that immensely. The live album setlist is packed with a chock-full of fantastic riffs and memorable lead guitar themes all over the place, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of anyone who likes traditional heavy metal as much as I do.

CRYSTAL VIPER amongst countless bands that you see in the festival line-ups through the world, they were on the fine print but now they are right up there with acts you do not want to miss. If you like bands like COBRA SPELL, BURNING WITCHES and old school aforementioned WARLOCK, this is right up your alley and the live album is a great way to start as an introduction to the band.