• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

It seems hard to believe that 2017's Queen of the Witches is Crystal Viper's sixth full-length album. This Polish band is nothing if not consistent both in output, cranking out a new record every 2-3 years, and in quality. Their last album, 2013's Possession, was decent but not up to the bar the band set with Legends. Queen of the Witches sees the band ramp up the Power Metal again, something toned down on Possession, and tracks like "I Fear No Evil" and "Rise of the Witch Queen" move along with an early Iron Maiden spring in their step. The performances are excellent, as always, led by leather-lunged Marta Gabriel, who breaks out more than a few glass-shattering screams. The songwriting is probably the least consistent aspect. Songs like "Do or Die" are instantly memorable while the ballads, "Trapped Behind" and "We Will Make it Last Forever" are instantly forgettable. The Crystal Viper tradition of including a cover finds them doing an admirable job with Grim Reaper's "See You in Hell." At the end of the day, if you've heard Crystal Viper before Queen of the Witches won't surprise you but you won't be bored either. Consistency isn't bad when you are consistently good and that certainly applies to Crystal Viper.