Tag: Leon Goewie
0 Vengeance – Crystal Eye (2012)
Dutch rockers Vengeance have been rockin’ since 1983. Their lineup has changed many times over the years, but one thing has been constant, the band has been kicking ass on each and every release they have put out. In 2012, the band has released their ninth album, Crystal Eye. The new album features an All Star Lineup for Vengeance. Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper) handles the guitar work, Chris Glen is on bass, and former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade is pounding the skins for Vengeance. While its cool that Leon Goewie has put together a cool new lineup, it is vocals that is the true star of Vengeance. He has a distinct vocal style that falls somewhere between Brian Johnson & Udo Dirkschneider. His excellent vocals and metal growls help to deliver one cool album for Vengeance.
I really enjoyed the songs “Bad To The Bone”, “Shock Me Now”, and “Desperate Women” (“Desperate Women” is easily my favorite). These are just some of Crystal Eye’s highlights.
“Me and You” starts off Crystal Eye right with an upbeat, hard rockin’ anthem that should be a real crowd pleaser.
If you ever needed a theme song for your backyard BBQ, the song “Barbeque” is it. I thought this song was kind of silly at first, but I have to admit that it is pretty catchy.
Former Black Sabbath singer, Tony Martin wrote the song “Whole Lotta Metal” for Vengeance, and this is easily one of the best songs on Crystal Eye.
The album closes with the instrumental track “Jan`s End Piece” which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his unexpected death. ( Jan passed away from a heart attack on January 28th.)
Crystal Eye is easily the best Vengeance album since Back in the Ring. If you are a hard rock fan, you gotta check this one out!
For more information on Vengeance, please visit the band’s website. You can hear samples and purchase Crystal Eye at this link.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Me And You 04:02
2. Bad To The Bone 04:51
3. Barbeque 03:31
4. Shock Me Now 03:28
5. Five Knuckle Shuffle 04:10
6. Desperate Women 04:03
7. Whole Lotta Metal 04:11
8. Promise Me 03:43
9. Crystal Eye 06:13
10. Missing 04:51
11. Jans End Piece 01:16
Vengeance is:
Leon Goewie – vocals
Keri Kelli – guitar
Chris Glen – bass
Chris Slade – drums
Guest musicians: Michael Voss – guitar, vocals / Timo Somers (Delain) – guitar
1 VENGEANCE SIGNS TO SPV/STEAMHAMMER
New Album CRYSTAL EYE
All-Star Line Up – feat. singer Leon Goewie with Chris Slade (ex- AC/DC) Keri Kelli (ex- Alice Cooper) & Chris Glen (ex- MSG)
Release Date: February, 27th 2012
Dutch rock legend Vengeance is back with a musical bang: almost three years after their most recent studio album “Soul Collector”, their latest recording “Crystal Eye” is ready for release and is set to delight all fans of the band’s straightforward, timeless hard rock. Vocalist Leon Goewie promises eleven haunting new songs which forge an arch between the group’s glorious past – documented by the return of the legendary band logo from the cult recordings “We Have Ways To Make You Rock” and “Take It Or Leave It” – and their future-oriented present.
“Crystal Eye” will be out on 27 February 2012 (Germany: 24 February, USA/Canada: early March) on Steamhammer/SPV. Goewie comments the worldwide collaboration with the german Hanover based label enthusiastically: “We are proud that we have signed with SPV/Steamhammer. We finally found our home and together we have many ways to make the fans rock!”
Olly Hahn, A&R at Steamhammer/SPV, is equally delighted: “I was always a fan of the band and now they are part of the SPV family, which is fantastic. The new album rocks big time and will bring a huge smile on the face of every fan!”
The album’s sensational all-star cast is just as spectacular as the new material: alongside original vocalist Leon Goewie, “Crystal Eye” features drummer Chris Slade (ex- AC/DC), guitarist Keri Kelli (ex- Alice Cooper), bassist Chris Glen (ex- Michael Schenker Group), and guest guitarist Timo Somers (son of Vengeance guitarist Jan Somers, who sadly passed away in January 2011). “More than ever before, this is a band which consists of friends,” comments Goewie, whose excellent reputation as an exceptional vocalist made this impressive line-up possible: Goewie, Slade, Glen and Kelli also form the nucleus of AC/DC cover band Chris Slade`s Steel Circle who rock the popular clubs whenever their time allows it.
“Crystal Eye” was produced by Michael Voss, who composed most of the songs in collaboration with Goewie. The title track was penned by former Vengeance guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One), and Tony Martin (ex- Black Sabbath) contributed ‘Whole Lotta Metal’ tailor-made for Goewie and Vengeance. The album closes with the instrumental ‘Jan`s End Piece’ which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his unexpected death.
“I’ve listened to the new tracks a couple of times now and consider this the most professional album I’ve ever done,” says Goewie proudly, adding: “The fun and humour which are typical of Vengeance are all there on “Crystal Eye”, but in addition, the material is perceptibly more serious, which I feel really suits Vengeance mark 2012.”
Goewie & Co. will schedule a tour featuring their illustrious album line-up for March/April 2012.
