“I guess it’s a grower and who knows, in a year’s time I might be floored but as for now, it’s a good album that doesn’t linger.” That’s how my 6/10 review of Seventh Wonder’s last album Tiara (2018) ended. Well, firstly, the album was a grower and when I think back, the 6/10 comes across as a bit too cheap because I dig it more today than I did after a few spins four years ago. Secondly, I can’t say I’m floored but it’s an album I really enjoy today. I also told myself that checking out the band’s back-catalogue would be on my check-list, something I still haven’t got around to do but I’ll get there, I’m sure.
Now the time has come for the release of the band’s new record, their sixth and with their last record in mind I expect it to be at least as good, hopefully even better than its predecessor. The album’s first taster “Warrior” which also opens the record says right from the word go that Seventh Wonder won’t disappoint. The song kicks off with a beefy riff and continues semi-proggy with a thunderous rhythm section and a heavy use of keyboards. Singer Tommy Karevik’s splendid voice throws out some smooth vocal-lines along with some nice harmonies. A distinct chorus that catches on immediately completes a brilliant opener.
They carry on with the album’s second single “The Light”, a tune that brings on a raunchier outlook and a progressive song-structure. It’s a mid-tempo number that holds the band’s Metal-roots as the foundation but brings on slicker melodies that lands somewhere between AOR and Melodic Rock with some layered vocals and immediate hooks all over with a terrific chorus on top, impossible to get rid of – not that you’s want to. And let’s not forget the fantastic bass-work here – must be mentioned. Very good. The slower paced “I Carry The Blame” takes on a sombre and more laid-back route close to balladry. Still, the song is carried by a heavy, prog-laden rhythm with a lush keyboard and clean guitars. The pre-chorus ups the tempo some and the chorus is big, bombastic and colorful yet with an underlying darkness. This is magnificent.
On a bigger prog-metal note “Reflections” opens with an intriguing keyboard/piano part before it kicks away on bouncy note with a slight Dream Theater influence and lots of instrumental backs and forths. It blends heavy and hard parts with more subtle, melodic and held-back parts going ebb and flow and it brings on some delicate guitar and keyboard lines with fine tuned melodies all over. I kinda miss the vocals here but it’s still a good tune. “The Red River” comes on edgy and pounding on a rough rhythm and is heavily in-your-face and quite headbang-friendly. It opens with a fragile piano part before it turns fist-in-the-gut poundy. The guitar riffs rowdily but it also contains great harmonies, a held-back pre-chorus and a bang-on-target refrain that hits like a ton of bricks. Brilliant.
While heavy and progressive “Invincible” is also quite straight forward with easily accessible melodies in both verses and chorus. With a plethora of smooth arrangements the song is really a Melodic Rock meets AOR track with prog elements and musical instrumental sections inserted. It comes across as a joyful feelgood track with a heartwarming atmosphere and astounding chorus that sticks right off the bat without ever going for the syrup. Brilliant. “Mindkiller” holds a busy and bouncy rhythm and some shredding interactions on a heavy and robust note. The dark undertones and the Metal edges are contrasted with some distinct vocal-melodies on the smoother side and a smashing chorus that flirts with 80’s Melodic Rock. Great stuff.
“Under A Clear Blue Sky” comes across as an upbeat kind of semi-ballad, like a calm version of prog-rock. Karevik’s subtle vocals are a bit lighter in the verses but still powerful and the rhythm-section is punchy with an organ that brings on some Classic Rock touches. There’s an instrumental mid-section where they trade off crispy and heavy guitar riffs and keyboard-leads, a bit on the Dream Theater side of prog. The chorus is fast and ballsy with some warm and hooky melodies which brings on an instant catchiness. This 9-minute epic is clearly a stand-out track here. Great. The closing “Elegy” is a slow, laid-back and stripped ballad with acoustic guitar and piano, an added keyboard orchestration and a cello. The song have a saddening atmosphere and a gorgeous vocal-arr. It’s delicate, enchanting, embracing and emotional. A lovely closer.
This album is splendid. It’s great. Seventh Wonder is a melodic prog-metal band with clear influences from AOR, Hard Rock and even Pop but what divides them from many Prog bands is that the focus lies on writing good songs, memorable melodies, hooks and catchy choruses first and technical escapades second. Because believe me you, these guys can play – and then some. Where Tiara took some time to grow on me, this album stuck right from the word go and now I can’t stop listening to it. With an album without a bad song in sight, the time for Seventh Wonder to take yet another step on the ladder of success. Well done. Very well done.
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. Warriors
2. The Light
3. I Carry The Blame
4. Reflections
5. The Red River
6. Invincible
7. Mindkiller
8. Under A Clear Blue Sky
9. Elegy
CD & Festival reviews 