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Artist: 7 Days |
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Born out the songs not quite fitting with his other bands of Harmony and
Darkwater, the multi-talented composer
guitarist Markus Sigfridsson set about bringing a new band to life.
So
in 2004 7 Days was formed. Joining Markus would be former band mate
ex-bass player of Harmony, Andreas Passmark. It was Passmark that
recommended drummer/session drummer Daniel Flores, so all that was needed
now was a singer and the line-up would be complete. So enter stage right
Thomas Vikstrom, who was first introduced to Markus by Christian Liljegren, who
later offered a deal for the band on his label Rivel Records (Liljegren
Records), and so the seeds were finally set. The band released their debut
album ‘The Weight Of The World’ to critical acclaim in 2006. Now Markus and the
band have returned for their long awaited second album ‘Into
Forever’, this time with a few line-up changes, no not changes but
tune-ups, bringing in additional vocalist Liljegren himself, Erik
Tordsson and more of Caroline Sigfridsson, who guested on the bands debut
release. So does the album
live up to the band behind the music? Well that would be big YES!, it sure
does. As grandiose metal
albums go this is a corker. A real roller coaster of uplifting melody
rich tracks mixed with all out power driven metal with each vocalist
bringing something different to each track. After the intro ‘Through Dark And Light’
it's on to the album proper with the
title track ‘Into Forever’. A dark and mystical beginning to this one
with keyboards and bass jockeying for position before it's full blown
symphonic time, as the guitars and orchestrations join in. Then the track
just explodes as the vocals take over and it's metal all the way as male and female vocals duet in haunting synchronicity.
Keeping that dark
metal vibe going is ‘The Innocence In Me’, again a bass ridden
bonanza as Passmark just powers through the track, while Flores delivers
a real tour de force attack from the drum stool, all the while Sigfridsson
fires out some superb guitars. The triumphant bass
lines of Passmark get the fantastic ‘You Hold The Key’ under way.
A
great male and female duet run the length and breadth of this one, along
with some of the finest musicianship of the entire album. A plethora of
timing and melody changes keep you on your toes throughout. The album fulfils
what it sets out to achieve on so many levels, musicianship, vocal prowess, tempo and melody
changes. From the fiery guitar licks and hammering bass lines to the powerhouse
drumming this album has so much to offer the connoisseur of both
progressive and power metal. As the album
thunders on with the powerful all out attack of ‘Enter The Dream’
the haunting orchestral enriched ‘Crossing’ the all out brutality of
‘We Cry No More’, but its final few tracks that really give you food
for thought as they mix traditional old school guitar licks with film
score styled keyboards on ‘Under The Sun’ the almost Folk Metal of
the stunning ‘Scattered Mind’ before what is my track of the album
the simply sublime ‘Final Wisdom’ this one has all the elements of a
master class in how to do power infused Symphonic Power Metal a real
barnstormer and THE standout track of the album. For me the album
could have finished there but the album comes to a close with ‘What
Matters’ another powerful piece that rounds off what is quite simply a
stunning work and one that Sigfridsson and the rest of the band should
be very very proud of. |
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| Tracklisting:
1. Through Dark And Light |
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