Who thought that Swiss Hard Rockers CRYSTAL BALL would still have secrets to disclose after their long history? Well, not style-wise, but “Secrets†is the title of CRYSTAL BALL´s sixth album. When you take a band like the Swiss Hard Rock force under contractual wings you wouldn´t want them to change. Fortunately CRYSTAL BALL continue to follow their way in impressive fashion. This band needs no trendy new age elements or fake images to be interesting. “Secrets†is a great piece of Hard Rock, put together by professionals. The album was recorded and produced by Michael Bormann, in his studio in Duisburg (Germany) and mixed by Achim Köhler (Primal Fear, Brainstorm and others). Mighty thunderous anthems like “I Will Drag You Down†will not only resound in the CD-players for many years but also solidify the great reputation that CRYSTAL BALL already possess.Imagine: the band started in 1995 as a cover band (named “Cherry Pieâ€). These years of stage experiences became the foundation of CRYSTAL BALL, under whose banner the band became one of Europe´s major forces in the Hard Rock genre. Tentatively entitled “In The Beginning†CRYSTAL BALL started their crusade in 1999. The first album was very successful, but topped with ease from the follow-up “Hard Impactâ€, hailed album of the months in several magazines. Immediately tour plans came up, realised by supporting Pretty Maids and Gotthard. Nobody was able to hide from CRYSTAL BALL. The result: a new record contract with Nuclear Blast.With “Virtual Empire†CRYSTAL BALL showed up more varied but still traditional and melodic in 2002. The band massively toured Europe, together first with Dokken, then with U.D.O., Doro and Krokus. The special humour of CRYSTAL BALL shone through in 2003 with “HELLvetiaâ€, the third album. “HELLvetiaâ€, produced by U.D.O./former Accept member Stefan Kaufmann, who CRYSTAL BALL met on their tour with U.D.O., became a more edgy effort and increased the success of CRYSTAL BALL enormously. It was the band´s return from the slightly experimental “Virtual Empire†to the old style. Successful tours with Axxis, Pink Cream 69 and Krokus saw CRYSTAL BALL increase their fan following again.
“Timewalker†continued in the tradition of delivering great catchy songs full of freshness and power. Once again produced by Kaufmann the album displayed the exceptional class of CRYSTAL BALL. The band´s very first headliner tour with then-labelmates Thunderstone followed the release.Now that CRYSTAL BALL inked a new record deal with AFM Records they are really enthusiastic about the future. “Secrets†will bring one of the busiest and hardest working bands back to the top of the Hard Rock map. This whirlwind of positive power and delight in playing is a must for every fan of powerful Rock music.
