Judging by the production alone, the observing listener will realize that this is a German band. The vocal sound by itself can verify that this is not a Mediterranean or Scandinavian release.

Wicked Senastion make their come back to discography after a cease of six years (their latest album titled “Exceptional” was released in 2004 through MTM Music) but it should be noted that they have put themselves on ice for the past four years. 

Founding member and main composer for the Wicked Sensation is also the main factor for their come back. Michael Klein freshended up the lineup and reemerges with just one old member, the original singer Robert Soeterboek ( known to many by his participation in the Arjen Lucassen’s Dutch band Ayreon), plus the contribution of skilled musicians like the omni-present Dennis Ward and Dick Bruinenberg whose credentials are not to be taken lightly (played for legendary Magnum singer Bob Catley and the Elegy, Consortium Project, Adagio and Patrick Rondat among others). This is a tough group of musicians, however is “Crystallized” and equally tough come-back?

Generally speaking, it is. The production is excellent and the Germans’ European Melodic Hard Rock sounds pompus, wild, ravishing at times, comforting at others and gives a solid impression in general. We won’t find many AOR sounds in this album, since the vast majority of the tunes refers to what we call the European hard Rock idiom (the likes of Whitesnake and Gary Moore to Casanova and Frontline). There is some variety in this new CD and I could say that “Crystallized” may be covering all the band’s previous works. Rhythmic songs, fast passes, melodic moments, everything is here for the fans of the German/Central European thing. 

The album breathes in a bluesy atmosphere at its mellowest, granting a finesse that you do not usually expect from Melodic/AOR bands. Adding up Andy Derris (Helloween) proves to be an excellent choice since his guest vocals to “My Turn To Fly” bind masterfully with Soeterboek’s deep voice. There are more guests though. Arjen Lucassen excels in “Gimme The Night” while keyboard expert Eric Ragno (click here to read about his recent endeavors) pays a visit for “Give It Up”. 

Fans of bands like Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Bonfire, Gotthard, Frontline, Company of Snakes/The Snake and Shylock, will enjoy “Crystallized” to the fullest. I don’t think anybody expected such a strong album from a “sleeper” band. It’s good, really good.