Crystal Tears – Athanato

Crystal Tears
Athanato
Label: Gio Smet Records
Out: 13^th March 2026
Playing time: 44:34

Crystal Tears are a Greek Metal band that has been active since 1997. The only remaining member from that time is drummer Chrisafis Tantanozis. The band has been playing together in its current line-up since 2019. In addition to three demos and various singles, they have also released four albums. However, the last one, ‘Decadence Deluxe’, dates back to 2018. So after an eight-year hiatus, one can probably speak of a comeback. And ‘Athanato’ is the first album with the current line-up. Swedish guitarist Mike Wead aka Mickael Vikström (Candlemass, King Diamond, Memento Mori, among others), Swedish singer Helena Josefsson (Sandy Mouche) and British singer and guitarist Jay Walsh (Bull-Riff Stampede, Fourwaykill, Xentrix, ex-Blaze Bayley) were invited as guest artists. ‘Athanato’ was released by the band themselves in September last year. The CD is now being published by the Belgian label Gio Smet Records.

The title track, ‘Athanato,’ opens the album with initially calm guitar sounds. But then it becomes slightly thrashy with very rough vocals. However, pleasing melodies shine through again and again. In ‘Bloodstorm,’ the riffs also blast out of the speakers. Mike Wead contributes a powerful guitar solo. The vocals on ‘Naked’ are provided by Helena Josefsson. At the beginning she whispers, later singing with a high and soft voice. Riffs set the rhythm. A strong guitar solo rounds off the whole thing. This song clearly contrasts with the rest and brings a new colour to the album. Melodic guitars introduce ‘All Sins Remembered’. Later, riffs and Antony Hämäläinen’s raspy voice dominate. ‘Crawl Into Your Grave’ also really takes off. ‘Ghostdance’ proves that it can be even more aggressive. In places, the vocals sound calmer and less raspy. But here, too, we hear beautiful melodies again and again. The same can be said of ‘Ov Flesh And Pain’. Here, however, the tempo is turned up a notch. ‘Nosi Balasi’ is a cover of the 1989 single by Filipino singer Sampaguita (real name Maria Teresa Alfonso aka Tessy Alfonso). And it’s significantly harder, thanks in part to the rough vocals. However, it is well done and lifts the song into heavy metal territory. Crystal Tears demonstrate their musical and technical abilities on the highly melodic instrumental piece ‘Eros And Psyche’. ‘Chaos Thy Name’ leans towards Speed Metal. The album concludes with the Guns N’ Roses cover ‘You Could Be Mine’, a highlight of the album. Antony Hämäläinen sings here in a duet with Jay Walsh.

With ‘Athanato’, Crystal Tears have released a good metal album – hard, uncompromising and varied. However, listeners will have to get used to Antony Hämäläinen’s rough vocals, which can be heard almost throughout. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to listen to the album over and over again.

Crystal Tears – You Could Be Mine: https://youtu.be/XZz3Qujnw5o?si=acHDpUmx17xOFdhR

Lineup:

Antony Hämäläinen – Vocals
Kostas Sotos – Guitars
Alex Chamalidis – Bass
Chrisafis Tantanozis – Drums

Track list:

• Athanato
• Bloodstorm (feat. Mike Wead)
• Naked (feat. Helena Josefsson)
• All Sins Remembered
• Crawl Into Your Grave
• Ghostdance
• Ov Flesh And Pain
• Nosi Balasi
• Eros And Psyche
• Chaos Thy Name
• You Could Be Mine (feat. Jay Walsh)