Review CRYSTAL BALL “Reset”

Just a few days ago, Shakra released their new album, and now another Swiss hard rock band is ready to step into the spotlight with a new record: Crystal Ball.

For more than 25 years, Crystal Ball have stood for solid hard rock built around riffs, hooks, and songs that get straight to the point. With Reset, the Swiss veterans have completed their 12th studio album and are back in full swing. The record becomes particularly interesting when you consider the lineup changes the band faced in 2025. Longtime members Cris Stone and Marcel Sardella both left Crystal Ball, making Reset a rather fitting album title.

The new record feels like a fresh start — the band’s second one following a lengthy hiatus in the early 2000s. Crystal Ball kick things off with the title track and “I Wanna Know,” both released as lead singles. The pounding “Reset” stands out in particular, showing that the band has lost none of its feel for a well-crafted hard rock song. Frontman Steven Mageney adds another ingredient with his gritty voice, giving the material a rougher edge.

Track by track, the needle works its way through what feels like an endless groove. Songs such as “Revolving Door” and the driving “Back to Square One” are the kind of moments that make your foot start tapping almost without permission. “Just Because You Are” then combines gritty vocals with metallic guitar work, adding another shade to the album’s sound.

There are quieter moments on Reset, too. “For Better or Worse” is one of them. The semi-ballad may not exactly rewrite the rulebook, but it fits the album’s overall flow nicely and gives the record a chance to breathe.

So, what can we take away from Reset? Crystal Ball are clearly still a band to keep on the radar. The lineup challenges of last year have been dealt with, and the Swiss outfit now have a solid new album in their hands. Reset should give Crystal Ball a good shot at making another appearance on the Swiss charts — and perhaps proving that sometimes a reset is an opportunity rather than a threat.