SEVEN THORNS - review added 22nd December 2010
Album Review: Return To The Past (2011)
For fans of: Power Metal... and EPIC! music
Danish power metal outfit Seven Thorns started in 1998, but it wasn't until 2005 that the band's first single 'Artificial Night' emerged. Debut album "Glow of Dawn" followed in 2006, but not long after the band went through some line-up turmoil and split.
"Return To The Past" is the second LP from the now recreated band, and features composer Mik, singer Erik Ez, guitarists Gabriel and Christian, bassist Nikolajk, and keyboard player Asger. Guests include Mikkel Henderson on keys and Olaf Lenk (At Vance) playing a solo on the song 'Liberty'. The album was recorded in Media Sound Studios by Peter Brander & Flemming “Glatz” Naumann, mixed by Peter Brander and the band, mastered by Tommy Hansen in Jailhouse Studios. The artwork is by Morten Langebaek. Got all that? Good...
The band's sound is power metal in it's truest battle-rich form. We're talking never ending drums, twiddling keyboards, hugely over-the-top speedy guitars and vocals you could use in combat. It's as if the band took Dragonforce, Helloween, Manowar and Blind Guardian, put them in a blender and smeared the resulting gloop over themselves. If an alien civilization was looking for the music which best defined all that is epic with heavy metal, this would be the only album they would ever need.
Good:
The vibe is ultra cheesy and obvious, but it's brilliantly atmospheric. Yes, you've heard it all before, but seldom is it done this well. The interweaving of keyboards and rhythms with the guitars is genius. In fact the musicianship as a whole is superb and really marks "Return To The Past" out. Although Erik Ez is mentioned above as vocalist, it's not 100% clear in the promo info if he did all songs on this album or has joined since and did none. Regardless, whoever did the vocals has a superbly characterful voice.
Not So Good:
The songs aren't anything special. It's the way these guys sing and play instruments that carries the release. The album really is VERY power metal, so it doesn't have much crossover potential to people who wouldn't normally like the genre.
The Songs:
The speedy 'Liberty' is a cheese fest through and through, but very likeable. 'End Of The Road' sounds like something from a 1980s fantasy film. Love those keyboards! 'Through The Mirror' has a few neo-classical flourishes and is one of the album's better tracks. 'Freedom Call' is a catchy velocity-fest and again up there with the best. 'Countdown' is less interesting, although certainly not bad.
'Forest Majesty' was the album's first single which surprises me as it's neither the best or most accessible track. Perhaps they finished it first...? 'Spread Your Wings' is a heavier entry, although the lightspeed drums are still there. 'Fires And Storms' boasts big harmonies and demands you to turn the stereo up to at least 12, if not 13 or 14. That's a good thing. The title track closes the LP, and it's an another big harmony-led track that couldn't have been anywhere else on the album.
In Summation:
The drumming is one dimensional (though good), the overall sound is way too familiar, but there's something about "Return To The Past" that makes it achingly moorish. Seven Thorns aren't original, but their music is bloody catchy.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
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Overall:
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Liberty
02. End Of The Road
03. Through The Mirror
04. Freedom Call
05. Countdown
06. Forest Majesty
07. Spread Your Wings
08. Fires And Storms
09. Return To The Past
Label: Nightmare Records
Artist's website(s): Seven Thorns | MySpace | Facebook
