Krystaleen at Arlene's Grocery

Is this the United Nations of heavy metal? Maybe something like this could only happen in Queens. Moroccan guitarist Omar Zerrei and Irish-American bassist Ben Rose played in bands together throughout high school. They recruited Israeli-American guitarist Eitan Gavish and Ecuadorian drummer Jaime Carangu in 2009. In 2010, the band placed first in Club Loaded’s Unsigned Band Festival, one of New York’s largest band competitions. Now with a new lead singer, a petite African American with a big voice, Natalia, Krystaleen is looking to bring traditional heavy metal to the New York area rock club circuit.

At Arlene’s Grocery tonight, Krystaleen showed itself to be an impressive developing band with a promising future. Gavish and Zerrei played fast and lyrical, trading lead guitar licks in the manner of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden or Exodus. Rose and Carangu played rhythm lines that were similarly fast and power-packed. Natalia sang in a wide range without growling – just please stop the stupid Satan nonsense. Krystaleen now needs only what every young band needs – opportunities to experiment, define and mature its unique identity through live performances.