SEVENTH CRYSTAL: Entity (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Three years after their debut album, Seventh Crystal's “Entity” is their third LP. This creative abundance is all the more noteworthy given that last year, an EP completed this already full roster for such a young band.

The composition of the band has hardly changed since the previous release, with the exception of the departure of the keyboardist. This is not anecdotal, contrary to what we might think at first glance. In fact, and this is no coincidence, the Scandinavians have decided to harden their sound. However, their DNA remains made up of the same molecules. Seventh Crystal is hard rock/metal with melodic AOR genes, and a touch of alternative and progressive. A multi-stylistic patchwork, but a rational melting-pot nonetheless.

So, as we listen to the latest instalment from Seventh Crystal, we're invited to make some big splits. For example, we cross paths with Dream Theater on the syncopated break of 'Versus', where a Hammond organ solo completes the muscular picture, and with Coheed And Cambria on the radio-friendly 'A Place Called Home'. But also Myrath on the solo of '404', melodically close to One Desire, and Art Nation on 'Thirteen To One', with its alternative sounds and thrilling twin guitars. Navigating from assertive prog metal ('Path Of The Absurd') to modern metal with high-energy verses and a luminous AOR chorus ('Blinded By The Light'), the listener follows a highly varied emotional journey.

With a tracklist that's even more diverse than on previous releases, Seventh Crystal's “Entity” is a more hard-hitting opus than we've come to expect. The Scandinavians have also developed a particularly strong sense of melody, and in the space of three years and as many albums, can now claim to have entered the enviable circle of figureheads in their metallic and productive homeland. - Official website

SEVENTH CRYSTAL

ENTITY

FRONTIERS RECORDS

MELODIC HARD ROCK