HinweiseGenre : Progressive Death / Heavy Metal
Country : Finland
Year : 2007

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Jarno F. Moberg (vocals), Toni Tieaho (guitar), Erik Grönroos (guitar), Arto Tissari (bass), Timo Hanhijoki (drums)

The story about Crystalic is one easy to tell. This Finnish based band released three demos/promos holing so much quality I couldn't believe my eyes Crystalic wasn't signed on Roadrunner immediately. Strangely labels didn't strangle themselves to get their hands on the talented band – But Crystalic did find shelter under the wings of Thundering/Manitou Records. "Watch Us Deteriorate" is the band's debut giving away nine songs of which five were present on previous releases. The storyline takes a sudden twist when Crystalic turn out not being of European origin. Reliable sources reveal Crystalic are not from Tampere – Finland, but from Tampa – Florida instead, just a few vowels away. In fact Toni Tieaho, main man behind the band, is just a pseudonym for "evil" Chuck Schuldiner. The great riffs, emotional screams, fretless bass loops and majestic guitar solos could be instantly taken from "Human", "Individual Thought Patterns" and "Symbolic". How great songs like "Severe Punishment" and "Soulstabbed" may be, the Death comparison is unquestionable. I don't think the lack of an own identity bothers. Someone has to take up his responsibility and continuo the great Death legacy. Forgive me the clone-image I put on Crystalic, but I haven't felt that euphoric about technical death metal since "Symbolic". Perhaps bands like Gordian Knot and the recently reunited Cynic are the undisputable leaders of the Death heritage. The best and purest follow up band is definitely Crystalic. Their heavy sound, well thought riffs and excellent musicianship (damn I love the bass solos) makes the metal more than ever flow…