SEVENTH WONDER: The Testament (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

It's always interesting to see how a band bounces back after an album in half-tone. Even if "Tiara" had filled the gap left by eight years of absence of Seventh Wonder on the front of the progressive metal scene, it was far from reaching the level of its predecessors. The main reason was the lack of transcendent compositions and a production that put the keyboards in the foreground to the detriment of the guitars and the bass, which for a power metal band of this quality was a rather strange choice. With its sixth album, "The Testament", Seventh Wonder corrects all these flaws and refocuses its musical discourse on what characterizes him best since more than 20 years: a melodic progressive metal played by exceptional musicians.

First good news: unlike many of its predecessors, "The Testament" is not a concept album. Freed from this perilous and demanding exercise, the music of the Swedes is totally liberated and their compositions take a magnitude and a power to which they had rarely accustomed us. Especially because, even if the melodic research remains in the center of all the titles, "The Testament" is first and foremost a metal album. It is besides on the level of the riffs that Seventh Wonder strikes the strongest with this new album. The work on the guitars is phenomenal and most of the tracks shine with their sharp and ultra effective riffs ('Warriors', 'The Light', 'I Carry The Blame', 'The Red River').

Second good news: the production of "The Testament" is remarkable and really does justice to the work of the most impressive musician of the band, the bass player Andreas Blomqvist. His ease to follow in unison the hyper technical guitar leads of Johan Liefvendahl ('Invincible', 'Mindkiller') and his amazing soli on 'The Light' or 'Under A Clear Blue Sky' contribute greatly to the singularity and originality of the band's music.

Of course, this originality also lies in Tommy Karevik's extremely clear and precise vocals, which is the real reason why Seventh Wonder appeals so much to A.O.R.'s fans. With its catchy choruses and its vocal parts more than once leaning towards hard FM, it has long given the Swedish band's music a particular identity which is still recognizable among a thousand, which is its strength... but also its weakness.

Indeed, paradoxically, the best track of "The Testament" is without any doubt 'Reflections' which is... instrumental. With its magnificent piano intro and its sequence of formidable riffs, it is the quintessence of the combined virtuosity of the musicians of Seventh Wonder. On the other hand, the album closes with 'Elegy', a rather cheesy ballad that puts the vocals in the spotlight. This title of vaguely Irish inspiration would have undoubtedly made the happiness of James Cameron for the soundtrack of "Titanic".

"The Testament" is a thus solid album, very successful and quite addictive. Seventh Wonder is not far from having found the perfect balance between technique and melody, while remaining faithful to the progressive power metal that characterizes it. This is rare enough to deserve a lot of attention. - Official website

SEVENTH WONDER

THE TESTAMENT

FRONTIERS RECORDS

PROGRESSIVE METAL