adg211288 Possession (2013) is the fifth full-length album by Polish heavy/power metal act Crystal Viper. This is their first release with new bassist Michał Badocha (At the Lake). Like with prior album Crimen Excepta (2012) Possession features a couple of guest vocalists, this time being Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin (Jag Panzer, Satan's Host) and Sataniac (Desaster). As a bonus track the CD version of the album features a cover of Riot's Thundersteel, while the LP version has a new version of Crystal Viper's own Night Prowler, the original of which may be found on their debut album The Curse of Crystal Viper (2007).

Despite Crystal Viper's common branding as a heavy metal act, most of their work that I've heard has been more closely related to power metal, albeit a power metal that had a rougher edge than the norm for the European variety. This was especially true of their last album Crimen Excepta. Possession blends more heavy metal elements into the sound than were present on that album, creating something that has more balance between the two styles. It's not an album that can be expected to fit into any cliché niches though. Not only does it have more aggression than the norm for this type of act, but Crystal Viper also prove quite effective in producing music that fits with the album's concept, creating theatrical melodies and undertones alongside the riffs for when effect is needed. It's yet more proof to my ears that Crystal Viper are one of the most underrated acts going right now, especially within the blossoming female voiced heavy/power metal scene that has seen acts such as the US's Huntress rise to prominence.

This said it does seem to me that contrary to my prior experience with Crimen Excepta, Possession is more of an album that grows on you. I must say that I'm still a bit disappointed in the first proper song on the album (following the short intro piece Zeta Reticuli), Voices in My Head. It's odd, but I do not like Marta Gabriel's vocals on this track, whereas I've always liked her otherwise, including on the rest of Possession. It's a song that has grown on me after a few listens to the album but things really picks up with Julia is Possessed, which in contrast to Voices in My Head is an absolute beast of a track, and the one to feature Sataniac providing growled vocals. Although he is pretty much regulated to a backing role behind Marta, the result is very good. The jewel of the album would have to be the lead single though, called Fight Evil With Evil and featuring Harry Conklin. Songs like this show Crystal Viper at their most catchy, and are pretty infectious, encouraging many replays. Unfortunately this time around the quality level doesn't stay at these sort of heights, but overall Possession is a solid release from Crystal Viper and is easily worth a 4 star range rating.

82/100

(Originally written for Heavy Metal Haven: http://metaltube.freeforums.org/crystal-viper-possession-t3272.html)