Release date: Out now!
The infamous, female fronted artillery Crystal Viper have recently unveiled their second live album “The Live Quest” – arriving a full 15 years after their first creation of this very kind. Rolling out on the heels of their latest full-length release, The Silver Key, this new record feels like a light, relaxed, and confident addition to their already extensive discography.
When I sat down and hit play, I honestly went straight for the music without giving much thought to the title hinting it might be a live recording :D. The version I received didn’t include the “– Live” tag after each track (as it appears on streaming platforms), so I just dove in thinking, “Cool, more Crystal Viper.” Only after a few moments of listening I realized “Ohhh… wait… this is live, isn’t it?“. And I have to say: the production and mastering are really outstanding for a live album, so much so that if you’re not already familiar with Crystal Viper’s work, you might not immediately realize it is actually live at all!
Of course, this isn’t an album that would totally bombard you with new, (absolutely unheard before!!!) fresh material – quite obviously. The setlist for the recorded show features a fun choice of eight tracks (if I‘m not counting the intro) spanning their career, with a nice nod to the past in the form of “The Last Axeman” from their debut. (I love this little memoir!)
Instead of breaking down each track individually (since there’s no brand new material to review, live albums rarely do that), I’d rather focus on the overall energy and delivery of these already familiar songs. First of all, I was amazed by just how clean the performance was. I could hardly detect mistakes, which honestly amazed me.
Now the standout for me was the lead singer’s incredible vocal delivery. Without a doubt, it can get quite hard to catch a breath while constantly moving and jumping on stage, yet she pulled it off effortlessly. It’s easy (in comparison of course) to sound good at the studio where you’re allowed for as many retakes and tweaks – as your budget allows – but sounding this good live takes serious skill, stamina, and tons of hard work. Gotta say, Marta truly is an incarnation of a Polish Doro Pesch :D. I love her voice so much.
Of course, the same amount of praise needs to go to the guitarists and drummer as well. They were total powerhouses that night. The guitars locked into harmonies exactly when they needed. The energy was unmatched, yet razor-sharp. Every riff came across like a well-aimed arrow strike, and the drums… they didn’t just keep time, they hit like lightning, sharp and electrifying, sending jolts right through my headphones. (And it makes me kind of sad that I missed their show.)
I also have to give credit to the way the entire setlist was built. Each track flowed into the next like perfectly cut puzzle pieces, building an atmosphere that felt both relentless and celebratory. Crystal Viper have a real talent for that in my opinion. Creating not just another average show, but an experience. You can hear the crowd’s energy BREATHING through the recording, and it’s exactly that audience involvement that makes this more than just a performance captured on some stupid piece of a tape.
Sure, there were some rare moments when the instruments slipped slightly out of sync. Well, the kind of tiny human imperfections you can only catch if you’re really searching for them. But honestly, that’s a part of the charm live records have, and here it’s never enough to disrupt the ever flowing momentum. Am I right?
Track List
- Return To The Providence (intro) – 1:43
- Fever of The Gods – 4:27
- The Silver Key – 4:44
- The Cult – 4:54
- Metal Nation – 5:48
- Night of The Sin – 4:35
- The Witch is Back – 4:45
- Still Alive – 3:50
- The Last Axeman – 6:00
Total playing time – 40:46
Conclusion
Now to wrap things up, I believe Crystal Viper absolutely nailed it with this live recording. From where I’m standing, it could easily rank among the best modern live albums in heavy metal, at least what I‘ve heard so far! The production, the delivery, the atmosphere, everything just clicks. Honestly, I’m impressed. Really impressed. I’d say it’s totally deserving of a full 10 in the live album realm.
The NWOTHM rating: 10/10
Label: https://www.listenable.eu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalviperofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalviperofficial
Bandcamp: https://listenable-records.bandcamp.com
The Nwothm 
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