Crosswind
Oppressing Forces / Beyond

October 2010
Released: 2010, Stormspell Records
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Luxi Lahtinen

Woah...a pretty darn catchy power/speed metal here, this time coming from Athens, Greece: Crosswind, this 4-piece Greek force to raise the flag of power/speed metal high for their country, has truly got lots of sheer talent behind them. The band has put out 2 highly acclaimed demo-EPs thus far (a 4-track BEYOND and a 7-track OPPRESSING FORCES - both in 2009), and now Stormspell Records saw their opportunity to release both of them on 1 CD due a huge demand for them.



Musically, Crosswind has absorbed many familiar elements into their own, very energetic power/speed metal sound that could well be taken from some Helloween, Gamma Ray, Running Wild, Blind Guardian, Edguy or some other albums of more power metal orientated troops. It all sounds somehow so familiar and safe, but despite having so many familiar and sort of ´safe´ elements incorporated into their songs, I don´t feel like raising my blaming finger in their direction, and making them feel somehow guilty for what they have accomplished with their songs on these 2 fine EPs here. On the contrary, it´s way easier to say that there´s lots of ambition and passion put behind this band and the execution and flow of the songs are on a great level. So, no harm is done in that sense, I think.



Vocalist Kyriakos Vasdokas obviously is the most carrying force in Crosswind with his powerfully yet so effortlessly executed vocal delivery; surely one of the most convincing and best ones that this whole power (or speed) metal genre has got to offer in 2010. And when his excellent vocals are accompanied with sharp guitar riffs (mostly akin to Running Wild/Gamma Ray) and overall strong harmonies and melodies, the band can feel secure standing on a firm ground with all their 8 legs.



So what we have got in our hands here, is a very enjoyable album from this Greek power/speed metal group Crosswind. If you have any power/speed metal in your own veins, I doubt you hardly want to miss this.