Band:

Crystal Ball

BiografieMake it or break it! Usually the third album decides, whether a band will breakthrough and ascend into the premier league of metal or fall by the wayside. Switzerland’s Crystal Ball already released two brilliant albums, In the Beginning and Hard Impact, which gathered a great response from the metal scene, as well as the media all around the world. Crystal Ball stands for the melodic side of power metal, led by melodic hymns and catchy tunes. Above all, there are the charismatic vocals of bandleader Mark Sweeney! Almost the whole band contributes to the backing vocals, creating great choirs that perfectly fit the bombastic sound of the five guys.

The line up of the band is the strongest since their formation in 1995, when they were just a cover band. Soon they started to create their own sound and played more than one hundred concerts in their first couple years, supporting bands like Primal Fear, Axxis, Bonfire, Pink Cream 69 or their Swiss compatriots Gotthard. In 1998, they were invited to compose a track for Swiss boxer Stefan Angehrn, for whom they wrote the song "Eye To Eye," which was shown all over Swiss national TV stations. Later in 1998, Crystal Ball entered the Area 51 studios to record their debut album In the Beginning with producer Tommy Newton (Victory, Helloween and others). After its release in 1999, Crystal Ball did a headlining tour through Switzerland and later on, they supported the hard rock legend Krokus all over Europe. In 2000, the Swiss band recorded their second album Hard Impact, once again with Tommy Newton. The album got very good reviews, Metal Heart (Germany) called it an "ear-wig parade full of great ideas and catchy refrains" and awarded it a perfect score! For the track "Queen of the Night," the band also did a video clip, followed by a European tour supporting Pretty Maids and various festivals shows.

In 2001, Crystal Ball signed a new record deal with Nuclear Blast Records, which were convinced by the great qualities of the band. Never change a winning team, so Crystal Ball once more recorded with producer Tommy Newton, who brings them up to another level once again! Virtual Empire is full of hymns; just listen to tracks like the bombastic "Am I Free," the up-tempo track "Dance With the Devil" or the great ballad "Look in My Eyes," which will be released as a single in Switzerland, where the band are already heralded as national heroes. Straight after the release on May 21st, Crystal Ball will support Dokken before they appear on several European festivals. So 2002 will definitely be the year of Crystal Ball. Enjoy this unique band and inspire yourself! This is the sound where the sun comes out and shines into every heart!
Quelle: http://www.nuclearblast.deDiscografie1999 CD In The Beginning

2000 CD Hard Impact

2002 CD Virtual Empire

2003 CD Hellvetia www

Interviews

Crystal Ball / Scott Leach (guitar)
Donnerstag 25.07.2002
Die schweizer Melodic Hard Rock Band Crystal Ball dürfte spätestens seit deren Deal mit Nuclear Blast in aller Munde sein. Wir haben schon vor einiger Zeit Gitarrist Scott an der Strippe gehabt konnten es jedoch aus logistischen Gründen erst jetzt online stellen. Deswegen erscheinen einige Textstellen vielleicht etwas veraltet. Sorry
Crystal Ball_1
Mittwoch 15.11.2000
Die melodischen Hard Rocker von Crystal Ball aus der Schweiz sind nun mit ihrem zweiten Werk "Hard Impact" am Start. Grund genug um ein Interview mit Scott Leach zu machen.

Reviews

Dawnbreaker - Cover
Die Schweizer Formation von CRYSTAL BALL melden sich nach sieben Jahren zurück und präsentieren mit „Dawnbreaker“ nicht nur ein neues Studioalbum, sondern haben mit Steven Mageney auch gle
Hellvetia - Cover
Da ist sie - die neue - von den Schweizer Melodic Rockern CRYSTAL BALL.
TIPP
Secrets - Cover
CRYSTAL BALL machen auf ihrem neuen Album "Secrets" das was sie am Besten können: Melodic Hard Rock!
Timewalker - Cover
Da sind sie wieder - die Schweizer - von CRYSTAL BALL. Hellvetia liegt ja nun schon ein paar Tage zurück und

Seiten