Sweet Crystal - This Way Forever (Pearl Sound Remix)
Rock, Gospel
Michigan, U.S.
Overall Impression: With “This Way Forever,” long-running Christian rock outfit Sweet Crystal delivers a soul-stirring ballad that feels like stepping into the golden glow of a long-lost era. The track is steeped in a richly nostalgic sound, evoking the grandeur of classic rock’s stadium-filling glory days. There’s a distinct vintage magic at play here—the kind that recalls the likes of Journey, Foreigner, and TOTO at their most emotionally open-hearted—yet it’s all grounded in Sweet Crystal’s signature message of spiritual renewal and grace. Sweet Crystal knows their lane, and they drive it with conviction. “This Way Forever” is a throwback in the best sense—not stuck in the past, but drawing from it to craft something timeless and heartfelt. It's a soaring, spirit-led rock ballad that boasts killer hooks, conviction-filled performances, and a level of spirituality that many a Christian rock enthusiast will find deeply endearing.
Strongest Point(s): The arrangement is particularly strong. From the opening bars, the track establishes a warm enveloping sense of texture. Earthy acoustic guitar arpeggios provide the foundation, while sweeping string arrangements and ethereal synth textures help create both an immersive and expansive sound. The open sound of the verses allow the vocals to breathe within the sonic space, allowing the lyrical narrative of redemption, reunion, and spiritual restoration to take center stage. It’s in these moments that the emotional depth of the vocals truly shines—soft, reflective, yet still powerful. Then comes the chorus, and with it, a percussive shot of extra energy, with the drums establishing a classic rock groove that gets the blood pumping. The shift from quiet introspection to triumphant affirmation is seamless, yet powerful. The band handles these transitions with grace, never letting the grandeur overwhelm the intimacy, but instead using it to mirror the emotional arc of the lyrics. Of course, the effectiveness of the arrangement is bolstered significantly by the solid performances and the undeniably strong sense of synergy amongst the band. There's clearly a deep level of understanding here, so much so that each performer is positively feeding off one another, helping to ensure the flow of the music always feels organic, and perhaps even more importantly, dynamic.
Target Audience Appeal: "This Way Forever" is an engaging Christian rock ballad and I can see it strongly resonating with lovers of the genre.
Artist target suggestions: All Above Me, Brother Firetribe, Mastedon, Petra, Asia, The Outfield, Journey, Starship, REO Speedwagon, TOTO, Foreigner, Christopher Cross
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.