I really tried to get into this, but it just was not happening. These guys are just too poppy for my taste. At the bottom of their bio reads “This album would prefer living a long and prosperous life in a record collection containing JUDAS PRIEST, 80’S BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN and ACCEPT.” I know they are not talking DIO era BLACK SABBATH, ‘cause this does not even come close. “Mob Rules” it is not. The only thing even remotely close to IRON MAIDEN is the harmonized guitar parts. The rhythm section here is pretty dead in the water. MAIDEN has bass god Steve Harris and the drums (whether it was Clive or Nicko) eschewed double bass pedals.

Most of these tunes start off not bad and then the poofter chorus comes in and ruins it. These guys just sound too friggin happy or something. Some of it is not too bad. “Battlefield” is definitely one of the better tunes. “Dawn Dancer” is not too bad either. However I have to say “Roads of Loneliness” is quite possibly one of the worst pieces of wretch I’ve had the displeasure of hearing. Not to be outdone “Dead City’s Dreaming” closes with the even worse “The Halls of Valhalla”. Somehow this crappy tune almost redeems itself half way in with some off the cuff prog metal and the singer pulls out some HALFORDesque chops that he should have used much more of earlier in the proceedings when it would have mattered. I’ll pass.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.crystaleyes.net

RELATED ITEMS: CRYSTAL EYES - "Vengeance Descending", 2003