Reviews
2006-09-16
Seventh Wonder are a Swedish prog metal band, who's this is their second release, not a groundbreaking piece, but it’s a quality slab of prog metal, well played, well produced, with some not-overly complex arrangements and a strong melodic backbone which elevates this release.
Star Of David starts off the album well enough, The vocals are not the typical high pitched ones you'd expect, vocalist Tommy Karevik has a strong voice which he uses well. Playing is excellent, with some serious neo-classical touches. What I liked especially about the release, apart from its well-apparent quality, is the heaviness the band is unafraid to delve into, as in the second track – Taint The Sky, which features some really good riffs, it comes off as melodic hard rock meets prog, and works well.
Longest and most complex piece is the title track, Dream Theater like guitar lines with fantastic bass work; I cannot fault the guys' ability. This is a real crowd-pleaser for any prog fans, its done just right, and still there's a solid melody that will keep just about everybody happy. Almost power metal catchiness is evident in Not An Angel, great neo-classical guitar work, this is slightly more pop-like, but the band makes even that sound good.
Out of a hundred and one prog releases out there, this one shines, a treat for both melodic metal and prog fans, thumbs up.
Alon Miasnikov
