CRYSTAL EYES "World of Black and Silver" is a very anthemic Euro-metal album that has almost a New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) meets power metal feel to it. These guys apparently enjoy the medievil image, judging by the album cover and the lyrical content.

The album has a variety of thrashy speed and crunch to it but it's very tame compared to some of the more extreme and brutal bands out there. All of the songs are built heavily around the melodies and vocals of Michael Dahl and the intricate guitar playing of Jonathan Nyberg. The drumming of Kvjtim Gashi and bass playing of Claes Wikander is definitely competent, but didn't overly impress me.

The band delivers some powerful anthems and bursts of speed (the opening three tracks Interstellar War,Gods of the World, and Winds of the Free) show the band ripping at full speed, but there are also several slower lulls in the music with a focus on the choruses and crunchier gallops (track 8. Victims of the Frozen Hate is the band's power ballad) and Track 4 The Power behind the Throne is a very moody opus with some catchy guitar rhythms and some very likeable choruses.

Overall, World of Black and Silver is very good. The effort is certainly there and the bands songwriting skills are pretty strong. In my opinion, the guitarwork of Jonathan Nyberg really stands out for Crystal Eyes. I really didn't care for the heavy reverb and distant hollow feel to Michael Dahl's vocals (which are extremely similar in sound to that of Heir Apparent). The band seems to be influenced by Iron Maiden (who isn't) and probably to a lesser extent Hammerfall. I think most power metal fans would like these guys somewhat, but I don't think this album will keep fans interested for a very long period of time. These guys are worth a listen.

· Track 1 - Interstellar War
· Track 2 - Gods of the World
· Track 4 - The Power behind the Throne
· Track 9 - Extreme Paranoia

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