"Chained" is Crystal Eyes' 6th album and a natural follower to "Dead City Dreaming". It's the second and last album with Danish singer Nico Adamsen before Mikael Dahl returned to the lead singer position. The ending ballad "Guardian" features Mikael on vocals and the song is now one of the all-time fan favourites. "Chained" is also the second album that was being mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman and production wise it's strong. Influences from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, Dio, Manowar, Running Wild etc. may be obvious but since the band's aim is to write music as it was in the good old Eighties, they're just proud that people mention these bands when they listen to Crystal Eyes. Even though you hear traces of all those bands mixed, you'll never hear any rip-off because it sounds like Crystal Eyes with their unique sense for melodies and guitar work. The main theme of the title "Chained" comes from the lyrics which are reflections of life and situations you're stuck in and can't do anything about. But the main meaning is of course that we are "Chained to Metal".