Frontiers [Release date : 08.11.24]
It’s hard to pin Seventh Crystal down. Is that a good thing?
Yes and no.
Vocalist and songwriter, Kristian Fyhr leads the band with assurance and direction.
Entity is the band’s third album, a progression in more ways than one.
The music is again placed within a guitar driven heavyweight rock framework, one that works its way into Progrock territory, putting down roots here and there.
Most notably, there’s a quartet of tracks at the centre of the album that stake the band’s claim.
‘404’s abrupt time changes keep us on our toes, diving into dark, moody territory… a sinister but engaging mixture of tone, rhythm and voices.
Then we get glimpses of light through the achingly desolate Progrock of ‘Architect Of Light’ and its polar opposite, ‘Blinded By The Light’ (not that one), where violent, cacophonous noise meets a memorably melodic chorus. It’s full throated stuff. Not for the faint hearted.
‘Path of The Absurd’ is the standout. This powerful, cinematic, only slightly self conscious prog rock song tracks though the life of the album’s traumatised protagonist, a broken, betrayed soul, searching for emotional rescue, and an escape from the modern world. It’s memorable.
But, it’s not how the album begins.
Opener, ‘Oathbreaker’ is a tough as teak melodic rock song, led by Fyhr’s commanding vocals. A sprinkling of modern rock touches in the arrangement gives the song a distinct “American contemporary” flavour.
Then ‘Thirteen to One’ powers into view on the back of a galloping beat : twin guitars and rushing, hard hitting rhythms underline Fyhr’s breathless vocals. At times there’s too much going on.
We’ve heard heavy melodic rock before, numerous times, but all the elements have seldom been assembled in exactly this manner.
***1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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