Melodic Metal CRYSTAL BALL originated as a covers band during 1995. The band received exposure in Germany in 1997 when their track 'Stand By Me', produced by KINGDOM COME and CHINA guitarist Angi Schilliro, was broadcast on a national TV talk show. This success led to CRYSTAL BALL scoring another song, 'Eye To Eye' produced by erstwhile VICTORY guitarist Tommy Newton, for use as the theme music for Swiss international boxer Stefan Angehrn in early 1998.

CRYSTAL BALL's debut album 'In The Beginning', with production on hand once more from Newton, arrived later that year. The album would be picked up for a Japanese release by Zero Corporation Records for issue in February 1999. This version of the record inluded an extra bonus track 'Silence Of The Night'. With Zero Corporation's demise the record was re-issued in Japan by Toshiba EMI in September and a European imprint came courtesy of Germany's Point Music. CRYSTALL BALL opened for KROKUS on their Autumn 1999 Swiss tour.

The band's second outing 'Hard Impact', once more handled in the studio by Newton, would be promoted on the European mainland by support gigs to PRETTY MAIDS in February of 2001. Japanese versions of the album, released on Pony Canyon Records, included an extra track in 'Goodbye Hero'.

CRYSTAL BALL would act as guests to DORO and then U.D.O. on their November 2002 tour of mainland Europe. The band opened up for KROKUS once again on their March / April 2003 Swiss tour. Promoting the November 2003 album 'Hellvetia' saw live work extended into 2004, the band opening up for a double billing of PINK CREAM 69 and AXXIS during March then acting as guests to U.D.O. in May. However, keyboard player / guitarist Tom Graber was forced to bow out due to illness on the eve of these shows.

The band, alongside DORO, BONFIRE, EDGUY, SAXON and IN EXTREMO would be among acts participating in the 27th January 2005 'Rock for Asia' festival held at the Saturn Arena in Ingolstadt, Germany to benefit the victims of the December Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. CRYSTAL BALL cut a new album for 2005 entitled 'Time Walker', released in August and once again produced by Stefan Kaufmann. European dates in December, ranging across Germany, Belgium and Holland, witnessed a package billing with THUNDERSTONE and TEMPESTA.

In January 2007 singer MARK SWEENEY announced his debut solo album 'Slow Food' for April release.