Crystallion - Heads or Tails (2021)

When dealing with a set of catchy melodies, blended with a very good level of technical work, and a strong sense off aggressiveness, it’s hard to beat German bands. It’s like a tradition for traditional German Heavy Metal to do things in a personal way that always sounds great, new and fresh; and it’s not different with the Bavarian quartet CRYSTALLION. It’s clear when dealing with their latest release, “Heads or Tails”.

They create a very good set of catching melodies and catchy choruses, using a good technical level (without exaggerations), and all works great in the hands of their musicians, even dealing with a Metal genre that is already eroded. But how the band breathe a new life in their music in a lovely and wonderful way, plenty of 80’s influences, some touches of German Power Metal, and always being a refreshing experience for the ears.

CRYSTALLION produced the album themselves, having the engineering and mix in the hands of Mario Lochet, and the mastering was done by Jan Vacik. All to make their musical work sounds perfect, great, with a very good set of instrumental tunes and a powerful melodic impact. All can be understood without problems.

The catchy mix of Heavy Metal weight with charming Hard Rock melodies shown on “Knights and Heroes” (excellent guitars, indeed, and what a remarkable chorus), the powerful and excellent tempos of “Living on a Lie” (bass and drums are working as paving a road with a massive weight), the headbanging songs “Save Me” and “I’m On Fire” (this last one shows some accessible parts), the massive German weighty touch of “Ready for the Sin” and “The King is Rising” are the ones for a first time on the album. But all the songs are able to catch the attention of the listeners in a few seconds.

Well, as this is their fifth album, CRYSTALLION shows a lot of experience. And “Heads or Tails” comes to be in the list of the best albums of this year!