CRYSTAL BALL – Deja-Voodoo [Limited Digipack Edition +2] (2016)

Swiss rockers CRYSTAL BALL are set to issue “Déjà-Voodoo“, their 9th album on September 2, 2016, in Europe and October 7, 2016, for North American markets. Released on Massacre Records, “Déjà-Voodoo” comes hardly a year after the release of their highly successful album LifeRider, and this Limited Digipack Edition includes 2 exclusive bonus tracks.

Crystal Ball started as a pure melodic hard rock band and their first two albums still are among my favorites from the end of the Nineties. The has been slightly hardening the sound since, but always with melodies as focus.
There’s that old adage that ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it’, and it’s gratifying to see Crystal Ball have stuck to a tried and tested sound. With eleven tracks (13 on this Limited Digipack Edition) on the album your certainly not short changed.

The new album opens with title track ‘Déjà-Voodoo‘, fueled by a pounding rhythm section, the twin axe attack and the distinctive vocals of Steven Mageney. From here through to closer ‘To Be With You Once More’, the Swiss rockers deliver a solid Hard Rock album with a an edgy melodic metal feel on many songs.

All are strong numbers, and it’s always difficult to pick highlights when you enjoy the whole album. But let’s just mention the two extremes which represent this album pretty well: the really good power ballad ‘Home Again’, and then ‘Without A Net‘ a kick ass tune which has the album’s producer Stefan Kaufmann (ex Accept) on backing vocals.

Speaking about production / sound, “Déjà-Voodoo” it’s fantastic. Kaufmann has provided that ‘edgy yet catchy’ factor typical from his former band Accept but with Crystal Ball’s typical profuse melodies in the songwriting the result is the best of both worlds.
I think Crystal Ball offers an improvement compared to their previous albums; the songs are direct and capture your attention instantly. Bright & punchy heavy rock, that’s it.
Highly Recommended

01 – Deja-Voodoo
02 – Director’s Cut
03 – Suspended
04 – Never a Guarantee
05 – Reaching Out
06 – Home Again
07 – To Freedom and Progress
08 – Time and Tide
09 – Without a Net
10 – Full Disclosure (Bonus Track)
11 – Fool’s Parade (Bonus Track)
12 – Dr. Hell No
13 – To Be with You Once More

Steven Mageney – Vocals
Scott Leach – Guitars
Tony “T.C.” Castell – Guitars
Cris Stone – Bass
Marcel Sardella – Drums

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