The state of the Metal Nation is strong
alpha128 | Cleveland, OH USA | 05/16/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Metal Nation" (2009) is the second studio album by this female fronted heavy metal band from Poland.
Crystal Viper attains two important achievements with "Metal Nation". First, they create an album on par with their acclaimed debut, avoiding the sophomore jinx. Second, and perhaps most importantly, they succeed in sounding like themselves without repeating themselves. "Metal Nation" is undeniably Crystal Viper, but at no time did I think, "This sounds just like (insert song title here) from The Curse of Crystal Viper."
The band spreads its wings (like a feathered serpent) on this release. Their previous influences (Warlock, Iron Maiden, et al.) are still there, but subdued this time. Furthermore, Crystal Viper adds new ingredients to the mix including orchestrations and keyboards. There is even a power ballad entitled "Her Crimson Tears" that is pretty good.
But don't worry about Crystal Viper going soft. There is plenty of hard-hitting speed metal including the title track, "The Anvil of Hate", "Zombie Lust (Flesh Eaters)" and "Legions of Truth". "The Anvil of Hate" previously appeared on The Last Axeman compilation; this sounds like a new recording of the song.
The last track on "Metal Nation" is a thrashtastic cover of "Agents of Steel" by Agent Steel (from Skeptics Apocalypse). I bought the "Skeptics Apocalypse" LP record upon its release in 1985, and I can tell you this cover is great. The vocal range Marta Gabriel (aka Leather Wych) displays on this track is incredible. It can't be easy, even for a woman, to hit the high notes of John Cyriis, and yet she does it flawlessly.
In conclusion, it's refreshing to hear a band progress without losing sight of what made them special in the first place. The state of the Metal Nation is strong, thanks to Crystal Viper. Hail to the Wych!"
