Crossbow have existed over ten years, but 'Break the Ice' is the first official full length album from the band. Crossbow's metal actually sounds 10 years old, which is not a bad thing, mind you.

When comparing the band's metal with something in my record collection, I can pick pick up North American bands Jag Panzer and to lesser extent, Iced Earth. Crossbow's songs vary from headbangable stuff to calmer, atmospheric parts. The song compositions are not basic, but follow lyrics, I believe (promo reviewed, no lyrics available). As mentioned, this sounds older heavy metal. There's nothing new to be heard. Some of the music goes without much notice, but some songs are good. Guitar leads, even though familiar, are the highlight of the album. Guys stick to basic playing, this is not a technical show. David Ivanov's vocals are like from some other album. He doesn't hit same notes as the music, or then I'm deaf. This does happen throughout the album, but not all the time. On his roughest the man sounds like Kai Hansen, which I like. Generally, Mr. Ivanov's voice just doesn't fit with the music. Soundwise the album is kind of raw, maybe too much so for this kind of metal.

The vocals could be quite individual, but the truth is, that I don't think they fit together with the music. And the music isn't anything spectacular, but there's a lot of potential, just too many boring parts.

Rating: 3- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/04/2005 15:36