SWEET CRYSTAL Still standing CD ---> Christian A.O.R / Melodic Hard Rock A la JOURNEY, SURVIVOR, WHITE SISTER..! CHECK VIDEO

This American Christian band comes out of Michigan and they are a big AOR sensation in the underground scene. Their debut CD 'Still standing is filled with high quality 80s typed hook laden AOR with superb vocals, catchy choruses and loads of pure 80s AOR keys and in general, the band has a big sound, comparable to JOURNEY and SURVIVOR. SWEET CRYSTAL has been around for over 25 years now, so I guess you can say that they have gained some experience through the years. It's amazing that they haven't been discovered sooner, because their AOR is from a very high level and could have placed them next to the big guys back in the 80s. The whole CD is sensational, with no weak songs. The vocals of lead singer/keyboardplayer/bassist Marq Andrew Speck are definitely giving the AOR of SWEET CRYSTAL the finishing touch, because his voice is quite superb and comes dangerously close to JIMI JAMISON from SURVIVOR. A lot of the songs are uptempo 80s typed AOR rockers that remind me of WHITE SISTER, early FM, CRY HOLY, SIGNAL, AVIATOR, early ALLIES and most of all SURVIVOR and JOURNEY. Favourite tracks are "When I think of you" (straight-ahead 80s AOR a la WHITE SISTER), "In God we trust" (superb 80s AOR keys and harmonyvocals), "No two masters" (AOR ballad duet with a great female singer) and "In your name" (hello JIMI JAMISON's SURVIVOR Power AOR ballads!). On the other hand, why pick favourites, because the rest is also fantastic, like "Do you believe in love" (semi AOR rocker, very much like SURVIVOR) and "Soldiers of the crown" (uptempo 80s AOR with cool keyboard lines and a sound like CRY HOLY and the very first ALLIES classic). The keyboardwork on all the songs is very impressive and reminds me of the 80s AOR, but also Pomp freaks will go nuts, especially on the live track "Stand up and shout". There's even some Prog./Sympho on this record, in the song "This way forever" where we get an impression of how ASIA sounded with good old JOHN WETTON on vocals. All in all, this album is a must have.

Track listing
1. Do You Believe in Love
2. Soldiers of the Crown
3. When I Think of You
4. This Way Forever
5. Messiahsong
6. In God We Trust
7. No Two Masters
8. In Your Name
9. Stand up & Shout
10. Looking Back
11. Ominicity