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REVIEWS:
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Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls
5/5
Reviewed: 2-20-09
Tracklist:
1. A new beginning
2. There and back
3. Welcome to Mercy Falls
4. Unbreakable
5. Tears for a father
6. A day away
7. Tears for a son
8. Paradise
9. Fall in line
10. Break the silence
11. Hide and seek
12. Destiny calls
13. One last goodbye
14. Back in time
15. The black parade
Yep, the many major
progressive metal fans that have been raving about this CD for
the last few months were right...
I don't really consider myself a progressive metal fan since I
only dabble in the genre, so I passed on getting into Seventh
Wonder when they first entered the metal world. I barely gave
their debut 'Become' and 2nd CD 'Waiting in the wings' a glance
as they were released, but after seeing tons of praise for their
3rd CD 'Mercy Falls', I decided to head off and do some serious
and attentive listening of samples. Something about what I heard
was calling for me to give this band a chance, so I quickly
grabbed all 3 of their CDs, with my fingers crossed.
As I do with most bands that I get into, I began listening to
their debut 'Become' first, and I was immediately impressed with
the excellent musicianship and I even liked vocalist Andi
Kravljaca, who I felt had a good voice. As for the CD as a whole,
I ended up feeling like it was a promising debut, and I was
already looking forward to hearing their 2nd CD. A month after
starting to spin 'Become', 'Waiting in the wings' was thrown
into my listening rotation and it was during only the first spin
when I realized this is a very special band that had already
surpassed the stage of simply being promising. The other thing I
noticed right away was that the band had a new vocalist, Tommy
Karevik, and while I liked Andi, calling Tommy superb is
understatement, as his clear and melodic voice is up there with
the best of them.
A month after my first spin of 'Waiting in the wings', the time
had finally come for 'Mercy Falls', and even though I was aware
the CD received tons of praise, I hadn't anticipated that it
would completely blow me away. Seriously, how is it possible for
this CD to be so amazing? I don't know, but I can tell you that
I love EVERYTHING about it, and have had it in constant rotation
for several weeks. I'm thrilled that Tommy returned as the
vocalist, and quite honestly, whenever I'm not listening to this
CD I'm craving to get it spinning again, as it's by far one of
the most memorable CDs I've ever heard.
While 'Mercy Falls' (and Seventh Wonder in general) is
definitely progressive metal, there are some hints of power
metal (the opening moments of track 9 "Fall in line" for a quick
example), it's easily heavy enough to satisfy, and surprisingly,
there is plenty of speed present. This is not wierd, boring or
wimpy progressive metal folks, it's all about catchy songs with
spectacular melodies. So even though much of this CD could be
lumped with Dream Theater and their many followers, there are
some parts that bring to mind Circus Maximus, Pathosray, Anubis
Gate, Symphony X, Pagan's Mind, Cloudscape, and even Serenity,
Kamelot and Vanishing Point. The closest comparison is probably
Circus Maximus, and while Seventh Wonder leans more toward
progressive metal than most (or all) of these other bands, as
far as heaviness, they're right on par. Plus, the few slow songs/parts
are absolutely beautiful and the CD would surely lack something
if they were absent.
'Mercy Falls' is a concept album, and it's an emotional one that
has the ability to reach deep into your soul. The story takes
place in a town called Mercy Falls and it's about a difficult
family situation involving a man who finds out from his wife
that the child he always thought was his isn't, and this leads
to a car accident that puts the man in a coma. The concept has
such an impact on the CD's emotional side and the fact that the
band has captured this feeling is quite remarkable. In addition,
there are some spoken-word parts and they help tell the story,
while adding true life situations and personalities to this
wonderful experience.
Musically, as you would expect, there are some long songs on
this CD, but there are some short songs as well and everything
balances out perfectly. The CD is always interesting, sometimes
technical, sometimes symphonic, and is complete with brilliant
time changes, memorable melodies, and really, there are some
stunning musical segments. While it's usually guitarists that
steal the show, keyboardist Andreas Soderin, drummer Johnny
Sandin and bassist Andreas Blomqvist all have equal roles. That
said, guitarist Johan Liefvendahl gives us an outstanding
performance, but one aspect of this CD that's extremely
impressive is that the music is sometimes led by the guitars,
sometimes led by the keys, and is even sometimes led by the bass
(there are some really cool bass lines). It's always a surprise
to find out if the upcoming musical portion is going to be a
guitar solo, a bass solo or a keyboard solo.
I obviously don't have a favorite song as every single one sits
at the highest level of quality possible, and they flow together
nicely to create this superb listening journey. I will add
however, that I love how Tommy doesn't start singing until track
3 "Welcome to Mercy Falls", as the opening tracks build up to
this song and there's some intense anticipation that's created.
The closer "The black parade" has to be mentioned too, as it's a
heavy yet memorable song that ends the CD with perfection and
leaves a dramatic and lasting impression as the music fades.
Seriously, every time this CD ends I immediately want to start
it all over again, and it's over 70 minutes!
With so many metal bands in existence, I know I don't speak
alone when I say that we all have to set limits on how many
bands and genres/sub-genres we open our arms to, but 'Mercy
Falls' is a flawless example of why we must make exceptions on
occasion, and wander away from our favorite styles. So those of
you who have passed on grabbing this CD because progressive
metal isn't really thing, know that this CD is more than heavy
enough to satisfy, and beyond that, I have a hard time believing
that anyone couldn't love this, regardless of where their main
tastes lie. Not only is this one of the best progressive metal
CDs I've heard, it's also one of the best CDs of the decade -
regarding all of the styles combined that I listen to. Highest
recommendation possible!!
CLINT
Metal CD Ratings
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Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls (2008) |
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SEVENTH WONDER - MERCY FALLS (2008, LION MUSIC)
Tommy Karevik - vocals
Johan Liefvendahl - guitars
Andreas Söderin - keyboards
Andreas Blomqvist - bass
Johnny Sandin - drums
Background
Back in 2006, Swedish prog metallers Seventh Wonder
took first prize in the 'album of the year' stakes
from yours truly, with their superb 'Waiting In The
Wings' album. Two years later, they return bigger
than ever, and with a new CD guaranteed to be
considered the musical equivalent of David Lynch's 'Twin
Peaks TV series, with more emotional roller-coasters
than the best theme park can throw at you! This new
one 'Mercy Falls' is very much like a TV series,
following the dramas of a small town, a family
tragedy and the fragility of human nature. Seventh
Wonder don't give too much else away, apart from
that, they'll leave the rest of it up to you - the
listener, and us - the reviewer, to work it all out!
I've refrained from reviewing 'Mercy Falls' sooner
than this, because there is a lot of listening to be
had with the CD.. all 74 minutes of it. Actually,
the idea behind the concept of 'Mercy Falls' goes
right back to the 'Waiting In The Wings' period and
their 2007 tour thereafter, according to bassist
Andreas Blomqvist. It has taken a full two years of
total immersion to bring this album to fruition, and
the attention to detail is oh so obvious. The
musicianship on 'Mercy Falls' has to be heard to be
believed. Two years ago, I commented on what a find
singer Tommy Karevik was. In fact, I named him 'rookie
of the year'. Well this time around, he reinforces
his credentials in no uncertain terms. The deluxe
edition of this album which I purchased contains a
bonus DVD. On it, Tommy said that he agonised over
recording the vocals, wanting to do his best and
give the ultimate performance. He needn't have
worried.. let me assure you.
The Songs
The album commences with the instrumental 'A New
Beginning', which recreates a car accident crash
scene, with paramedics trying to save the crash
victims (man and a woman) from the wreckage.. they
save the woman, 'but what about the man?'.. 'we've
lost him' says the paramedic.. though it turns
out he survives, but in a comatose condition.
It's followed by the dramatic overture 'There And
Back', another instrumental which sets the scene
for the first vocal track..
And that is 'Welcome To Mercy Falls', the
town at the center of the Seventh Wonder plot.
Lyrically, it's very dark and despairing, like a
town without hope or light. But alas, this is not
so, there is light at the end of tunnel.. 'it
doesn't matter how far you've gone, welcome to Mercy
Falls, where nobody's leaving..'. But later on
in the song, the chorus changes from 'where
nobody's leaving' to 'a chance to find inner
peace' and 'where the light keeps changing'.
My guess is that the survivor in the accident is the
protagonist in 'Unbreakable'. Though she is
alive and conscious, she misses him (as he lays in a
near permanent coma). Though she is a shadow of her
former self, it is that shadow that allows the pain
to break the previous unbreakable ties that bind her
to him.. The impassioned delivery by the band brings
this song to life in the vein of Dream Theater.
'Tears For A Father' is a short heartfelt ode
from the son to his comatose father, played with a
mainly acoustic guitar backing.
It segues directly into 'A Day Away',
a musical tale of the son, who it seems seeks
adventure through dare and daring.
Meanwhile 'Tears For A Son' is the despairing
tale of the parent of the accident victim. It also
spells out how the victim will receive bone marrow
treatment from his son in an effort to save his
life.
The surviving woman seeks an escape from her misery
on the song 'Paradise'. It seems she is
losing hope that her husband won't survive. 'breathe
life into mine Father, my spirit caught in this
hell'.
The album then turns its focus on the town of Mercy
Falls itself. 'Fall In Line' talks about
uniting to save the town, and to prepare for the
storm that is coming their way.
'Break The Silence' is the longest track on
the album. At nine and half minutes, it's epic like
nature fluctuates between drama, angst and (as the
lyrics say) sheer desperation.
Another longer piece is 'Hide And Seek',
while 'Destiny Calls' reaches that point
where a decision needs to be made.
Seventh Wonder turn to the acoustic guitar for the
beautifully constructed 'One Last Goodbye'.
On this song, they talk about how the bone marrow
treatment has failed, and whether or not they should
turn the life support system off.. By songs end, you
know what decision has been made.
'Back In Time' is an instrumental, or more a
musical collage of all that has gone before on this
album. However, an interesting passage at the end of
the song - you hear some dialog between the wife and
husband, where she declares to him that their son is
not his.. then you hear the sound of a car accident.
Could it be that the reason for the accident in the
first place was because of this? Interesting.
Definitely something you would expect in a TV
series.. lol!
The album finishes up with 'Black Parade', a
song about moving forward and leaving the past
behind.. The lyrics talk about searching and finding
the light, living your life until you die.. 'don't
you waste one more day in your life.. not one more
day!
In Summary
So there you have it. Conceptual to the max. It
follows in the footsteps of the aforementioned
Dream Theater, Alkemyst and Dominici,
all who have released concept albums of late.
Musically, the band have moved ahead in leaps and
bounds, the technical proficiency evident for all to
see. Each of the band members contribute in so many
ways, whether it's the vocal prowess of Karevik, the
six-string bass pyrotechnics from Andreas Blomqvist
or the powerhouse drumming from Johnny Sandin.
Making comparisons between 'Mercy Falls' and 'Waiting
In The Wings' will be inevitable, but unfair in my
books, because they are different pieces of work..
different in so many ways. So far, many of the
reviews I've read on the album only talk about the
music, and very little (next to nothing) about the
storyline. To my way of thinking, if you haven't
wrapped your head around the story, then you've only
got half the picture.. so that means many of those
reviews are incomplete.. sorry to say. The Lion
Music release provides two offerings: a standard
audio CD, plus a deluxe edition with an extra DVD.
The DVD was put together by Andreas Blomqvist, and
features three parts: the first featuring the band
during the recording/production phase, the second
being a series of brief interviews with each of the
band members, the third being a collage of photos in
the form of a slide show. The DVD itself isn't
overly long, nor particularly illuminating about the
album concept, however, SW fans may get some value
out of it. All in all, a lengthy slab of progressive
metal featuring some of the most talented musos in
the genre today!
URL:
www.seventhwonder.nu :
www.myspace.com/officialsw
Track Listing:
01 A New Beginning
02 There And Back
03 Welcome To Mercy Falls
04 Unbreakable
05 Tears For A Father
06 A Day Away
07 Tears For A Son
08 Paradise
09 Fall In Line
10 Break The Silence
11 Hide And Seek
12 Destiny Calls
13 One Last Goodbye
14 Back In Time
15 The Black Parade
Rating:
Related Articles:
Seventh Wonder - 2006 Waiting In The Wings
Seventh Wonder - 2008 Mercy Falls
www.glorydazemusic.com/
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SEVENTH WONDER: "Mercy Falls" 9
LionMusic
2008
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
7 October 2008
Not one, but two, instrumental pieces as the first pair
of opening numbers on this 15-track CD seems like a rather
strange and daring concept. Ok, the first one is a
soundtrack-score, a fanfare-keyboard intro, possible
inspired by Kiss and their famous car-crash accident of
"Detroit Rock City". It's also the beginning of this concept
album based on the fate of a small town, a tragedy, aka the
crash, and the loss of a family member (who'll end up as a
coma patient).
"Mercy Falls" is the third album release by Seventh
Wonder and it's definitely their magnum opus. This isn't
just another average Prog-Rock effort, nah, it's frankly put
a small masterpiece of music, and you'll find large parts of
'Pomp' and Melodic Metal on this platter too. Imagine the
close to perfect mix of Yngwie Malmsteen during 'Eclipse',
Dream Theater (Images And Words) and some of the grand pomp
of Robby Valentine and Queen, and you're definitely a bit
closer to the core of "Mercy Falls".
Still they have their very own original Prog-Metal sound
and it's a utterly melodic, complex, album, that just keeps
getting better for each spin (up to a certain point of
course). Vocalist Tommy Karevik is like a updated and more
diverse version of Goran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, Madison,
Glory), and there are just marvelous guitar/keyboard
interludes to be found throughout the record. I really can't
single out any tracks or even mention any 'highlights' as
they're all part of this superb concept album.
Best of all, even though it smells like prog-metal, it's
basically a cross-over release, and you don't really need to
be a die-hard fan of any 'special' genre of hardrock to
appreciate the music. Final Verdict: you'll end up in awe
over the lads ability to combine melody, harmony, and
complexity. The 74 minutes of music will all be gone way too
soon and you'll be spinning the disc over and over again.
Highly Recommended!
www.rockunited.com
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Seventh
Wonder – Mercy Falls
2008 Lion Music
Welcome to Mercy Falls, a town where tragedy collides
with the human element – and the story unravels throughout
Seventh Wonder’s most ambitious album to date – but
is it more than just one story, yes it is, and it all comes
together full circle on what appears to be the concept album
of the year.
Mercy Falls is one solid record, a piece of work that
stands in line with the first wave of progressive metal
bands & modern day troubadours such as Circus Maximus,
Stride, Vox Tempus, and Sphere of Souls for music that keeps
the focus on the melody – but here, with this being a
concept album, Seventh Wonder’s strengths are shown
further when the concept is brought to the table, as so few
are able to keep the musical element strong while keeping or
even attempting thematic overtones – as this band pulls it
off on both ends, making for a completely solid record.
The music itself is brought forth with instrumental
passages, sound effects, and even dialog from characters
that help enhance the overall story and mood – the album
starts out with the instrumental “A New Beginning,” which is
where the tragedy begins (a car accident, where we are
treated to a mass of orchestration which leads up to a
metallic jam session that is amongst a backdrop of sirens &
emergency radio communication…hinting that this is going to
be a dark journey). Intensity is followed with the second
track (“There and Back”) which is also an instrumental cut;
creating an interlude to more hard edged numbers such as
“Welcome to Mercy Falls,” the staccato laden “A Day Away,” “Paradise,”
and “Destiny Calls,” which all portray the upbeat side to
the record; but with the concept comes the emotive stance
and laid back tunes as well as balladry are cleverly
executed with “Tears for a Son,” “Tears for a Father,” and
“Break the Silence” casting the darker pall upon the fifteen
cuts. Two climatic songs end this record, “Back in Time”
where the concept seems to take its shocking turn, and “The
Black Parade,” which is almost like a reprise, not
necessarily to the concept, but to the actual psychological
themes altogether.
Recorded by the band with help from
Daniel Flores (Mind’s Eye), mixed and mastered by Tommy
Hansen (Helloween, Manticora), with bassist Andreas
Blomqvist at the helm of it all, Mercy Falls is not
only a record of excellent musical feat, but it proves with
all involved really are helping lead the way for the real
solid melodic progressive metal to come back to the
forefront in the days where the song is often lost unto
overdone arrangements & production (yes there is are catchy
choruses and hook laden riffs on this one). Within the
spectrum of concept albums it falls upon the lines of
Operation: Mindcrime instead of something that is far
fetched such as Pain of Slavation’s Be; the right
nerve has been struck with Mercy Falls, album number
three proves to be the charm for these guys, like label
mates Mind’s Eye, they just keep getting more elaborate, and
it’s on their own terms at their own pace, not setting out
to make the wrong music for the wrong reason – it’s all
right and it’s all good here.
CLICK HERE to read an Interview with Andreas Blomqvist
from late 2006.
CLICK HERE to read a review of ‘Waiting in the Wings.
Added: September 14th 2008
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
Score:
Related Link:
Seventh
Wonder link
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Mercy Falls |
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Rating |
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Style: |
Progressive Metal |
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Release date: |
September 12th 2008 |
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Welcome to Mercy Falls.
Album number three from Seventh
Wonder,
'Mercy Falls',
is a concept album based on the fate of a small town, a
family tragedy and the beast we refer to as human nature,
and the story has perfectly been tied together with
small bits and pieces and the story flows like a silent
stream in the twilight.
Seventh Wonder
takes us into another dimension with this full blown
conceptual piece of art. And let me assure you that this
is this year's diamond in the rough; the gem has been
cut just right, and the result a precious stone of the
highest carat.
Seventh Wonder has taken the
proven formula from their latest album and added
multiple layers to their trademark sound, taking their
music to new levels in every aspect. 'Mercy Falls' is
their most
ambitious and musically accomplished album to date, and
they have nurtured each and every little detail and
worked them out to perfection, giving the album immense
depth, complexity and diversity.
The music is loaded with fine details,
twists and turns, wonderful melodic passages, delivered
by a very talented and tight band, but the thing that
makes this album something extraordinary and exceptional
is Tommy Karevik, who delivers the vocal performance of
a lifetime. And with a production that sets a new
standard in the genre; perfectly balanced, crystal clear
and rough in all the right places, we have a new genre
reference in the making.
The album has some structural
resemblance with 'Scenes from a Memory', and is musical
in the same league, and in a month that potential sees
great releases from bands like Metallica, Evergrey, Amon
Amarth, Trivium and Neal Morse, this one might possible
end up being the winner, at least in my book.
Brilliant!
www.powerofmetal.dk
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Rating
 
Label: Lion Music
Released: September 12, 2008
Reviewed by
Distortionplus
Posted on 13th September, 2008
Average time to read: 6:09 minutes
Track Listing
1. A New Beginning 03:05
2. There And Back (Overture) 03:02
3. Welcome To Mercy Falls 05:11
4. Unbreakable 07:18
5. Tears For A Father 01:58
6. A Day Away 03:43
7. Tears For A Son 01:43
8. Paradise 05:44
9. Fall In Line 06:09
10. Break The Silence 09:29
11. Hide And Seek 07:46
12. Destiny Calls 06:17
13. One Last Goodbye 04:21
14. Back In Time 01:14
15. The Black Parade 06:57
Total playing time:
01:13:57
Cenotaph: Seventh Wonder is a band
that doesn’t call for a special introduction on the
Treehouseofdeath pages, for there have been many
discussion about these “new” wonders since the time of
their brilliant sophomore release 2006’s Waiting In
The Wings (WITW, hereafter). To say that I
liked what the guys offered with their instantly catchy
yet very intricate blend of Progressive and Melodic
Metal on that album would be a bit of understatement, as
I absolutely fell in love with it, making it a regular
part of my Metal menu over the last two years. The album
was such a leap forward from all angles, in contrast to
their good yet rather average debut Become,
that it almost instantly rocketed Seventh Wonder
to the highest echelons of the genre.
2008 came upon us, and once the rumors of an
impending release became borne out, turned into a year
of great anticipation for all their fans. But, WITW
had set such high standards at both the instrumental and
vocal fronts that it was difficult to believe that its
magical confluence of alluring melodies and
thought-provoking lyrics colored with irreproachable and
inventive arrangements could possibly be surpassed or
even matched with Mercy Falls. However, I take
pride in calling the new material another imposing
chapter in the band’s history, since it utterly confirms
that there is nothing impossible at the Seventh
Wonder camp. They have once again exceeded
themselves, creating a masterpiece that, while being
rife with many thoroughly familiar components, can also
boast of some nearly intangible new touches.
The first thing I noticed was how the dark blue
colors of the cover art perfectly match the overall
atmosphere of Mercy Falls. As you probably
know, blue is the color of tranquility, harmony and
depression, all of which are abundantly reflected in the
new material showing us a band that now incorporates a
larger variety of slower tempos as compared to on
WITW, which was in contrast a showpiece of energy,
warmth and enthusiasm, as the fiery colors of its cover
suggested. Thus, while “Pieces”, as a ballad, felt
rather lonely on the previous release, such new songs as
“Tears For A Father”, “Tears For A Son” and “One Last
Goodbye” form a solid unity, each equipped with tuneful
refrains and great half-acoustic string arrangements.
Moreover, you will also encounter more calm and somewhat
depressive sections thrown in among the more energetic
and faster parts. Take, for example, the dreamy
Floyd-ish guitars and keys opening the beautiful
mesmerizing number “Fall In Line” with its brusque
rhythm and challenging vocal lines, or the highly
emotive guitar/vocal prelude to the splendid nine and a
half minute epic “Break The Silence” bewitching with its
multifold of dynamics.
However, the well-established sound of their previous
release hasn’t undergone any drastic changes and the
band doesn’t wander to far off the beaten track relying
as before on the incredible interplay between the
guitars and the keys, effective machine-gun drum work
and extremely hooky vocal parts rather than flirting
with any gimmicky novelties. Hence, don’t expect to hear
a Seventh Wonder bereaved of the
utterly spectacular bass improvisations by Andreas
Blomqvist, guitar gymnastics and neo-classicisms by
Johan Liefvendahl, or the colossal keyboard and
piano roulades by Andreas Söderin. On the other
hand, there is still one big plus shown in the new songs:
they don’t sound like a re-hash of their earlier
material, which is well confirmed by the great
songwriting displayed on the album. You can easily pick
out any track and get immediately carried away by its
charming melodies never thinking of their previous works.
Thus, listening to the amazing instrumental “There And
Back” along with the following title track of the album,
I would recall the wonderful entrancing synths done by
Jordan Rudess for Dream Theater
on Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence rather than
anything heard on WITW. Yet, that parallel
would feel rather subtle since Seventh Wonder,
unlike the mentioned Prog titans, are much more focused
on the melodic wizardry than on the overdone
instrumental wankery. Being known as a die-hard fan of
the band, I could endlessly sing out my praises of the
Mercy Falls values, but let me call on the next
reviewer’s opinion.
Distortionplus:
Well, this is definitely a big step for a band that
as good as they were on WITW, really needed to
do something just as spectacular for the follow up.
Other groups like Circus Maximus are
already championing the cause of catchy AOR style Prog
Metal, while Pagan’s Mind are digging
into spacey science fiction topics, so where else could
SW go? The answer is in an elaborate
concept album based on a story that isn’t so far fetched
as to involve aliens or other such exotic themes, but
rather something that could potentially happen to anyone.
I guess the story may have been the springboard for the
music, but in all honesty, it’s their compositions and
overall musicianship that interest me as much if, not
more so than any underlying narrative, so I’ll mainly
focus on that.
In comparison to WITW, Mercy Falls
has a little less of the instrumental showmanship, and
is instead a great example of a band that has matured to
play more cohesively and with a degree of restraint –
when needed. They still allow each other to get a little
bit of time in the spotlight, but overall they are
playing tighter as an ensemble and more for the songs
this time. The real standout here is vocalist Tommy
Karevic who as usual, does not disappoint in any
way. A concept album like Mercy Falls typically
requires a great vocal performance and Tommy
once again rises to the occasion, his smooth delivery
still having an edge when appropriate, but without
resorting to any clichéd Metal affectations in order to
get his lines across. A few of my favorite performances
of his include the title track where he sings with a
little bit of an angrier tone-which I’ve always really
liked in him, and as a contrast, the acoustic ballad
“Tears For A Father” with its very soulful vocals. If
you’ve already heard his stunning work on the ballad
“Pieces” from WITW, you know what an extremely
emotive singer he is. He’s easily my favorite vocalist
in the Prog Metal genre.
Speaking of vocals, a few songs like the title track
still employ fantastic layered backing choruses, but
they don’t seem as frequent or as up front here as on
WITW. This is my only tiny complaint as I
thought it was a terrific signature part of their sound,
and something I would have liked to hear more of.
However, it probably imparts a lot of challenges to
being recreated in a live performance so no doubt that
may have been one consideration.
Although there may be less of the drawn out soloing
on this one, and apart from the opening instrumental
“There And Back”, there are still a few standout moments
like the longer jam on “Unbreakable”, the screaming
guitar solo of Johan Liefvendahl on “Paradise”,
or the neoclassical leads of “Break The Silence” which
are nicely countered with an improvised sounding bass
line from Andreas Blomqvist. Keyboardist
Andreas ‘Kyrt’ Söderin takes his turn on this
number as well, playing magnificently, but not drowning
the song or the rest of the album in keys, either. And I
sure can’t forget to mention drummer Johnny Sandin
who lays down excellent hyper-kinetic beats and barrages
of fills throughout the album. He along with bassist
Andreas have to be one of the best rhythm sections
out there today, always mixing things up, pushing the
musical envelope, and being as key to the bands sound as
any guitarist or lead singer could ever be.
Thankfully, the much discussed story line narrations
used on the album are few and far between, and only in
the case of “One Last Goodbye” do they intrude on the
music, more typically being heard between the songs.
Even though I’m not a big fan of using voice-overs on a
song, I can live with it in this case, as the song is
fairly low key to begin with and therefore doesn’t get
too overshadowed. I should mention that this album was
produced by Andreas Blomqvist and once again
mixed/mastered by Tommy Hansen, the result
being another extremely good sounding recording from the
group.
Overall, Mercy Falls is a big step ahead for
the band and I think they have more than succeeded in
reaching the next level of artistry beyond their first
two albums. It may not be as immediately accessible as
WITW due to the greater complexity of the
songs, and granted, there may be some fans slightly
disappointed by the lesser amounts of explosive energy
on this new one, but it’s a necessary evolution and a
small risk that had to be taken by the band as they
continue to grow. There is definitely more to look
forward to from Seventh Wonder.
THOD’S other Seventh Wonder reviews:
http://www.treehouseofdeath.com/?p=546
http://www.treehouseofdeath.com/?p=581
Seventh Wonder Myspace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/officialSW
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SEVENTH WONDER
Mercy Falls
© 2008 Lion Music
(LMC247)
progressive metal
studio album
15 tracks - TT 74:08
release date:
September 12, 2008
http://www.myspace.com/officialsw
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“Mercy
Falls” is the third
album in four years from
this excellent Swedish
progmetal band and they
keep on surprising me
with the high quality of
their output. “Become”
(2005) was already very
good, the follow-up
“Waiting In The Wings”
(2006) was great and at
least the same can be
said of the brand-new
“Mercy Falls”, which
turns out to be a
concept album ‘based on
the fate of a small town,
a family tragedy and …
human nature’. Mainly
written while on tour in
Europe in 2007, the new
album offers all the
ingredients we dared to
expect from the five
band members: superb
songs with a wealth of
variety and tempo
changes, soaring vocals
from Tommy Karevik,
fiery axework from Johan
Liefvendahl, subtle yet
effective keyboards from
Andreas Söderin, a solid
rhythm section from the
pair of Andras Blomqvist
and Johnny Sandin, plus
an excellent sound (Seventh
Wonder, Daniel Flores,
Tommy Hansen) and a
deluxe packaging (although
there’s also a standard
CD available). I just
hope Lion Music can keep
this flagship, because
I’m afraid they’re
becoming too huge for
such a small label!
Absolutely recommended,
once again!!! ( CL)
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Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls
Review
Five Stars (out
of five)
When I heard news of this album, I knew what to expect.
I expected the same caliber of musicianship heard of Seventh
Wonder's two previous albums: Become and Waiting in the
Wings.
I expected incredibly catchy vocal melodies delivered with
power and emotion from one of the strongest metal singers
active today.
I did not, however, expect
this.
For those seeking brevity, allow me to provide it for you.
Mercy Falls is simply a masterpiece. Do not take that claim
lightly, dear reader. Mercy Falls is, without a doubt, a
masterpiece.
In short, Mercy Falls is to Seventh Wonder what Operation
Mindcrime or Scenes from a Memory are to Queensryche
or Dream Theater. It is a mature and fully developed concept
album: one that does not fully reveal its concept upon first
listen, yet never falls into the territory of thematic
ambiguity. In other words, the story is complex without
missing important pieces vital to a full understanding.
Mercy Falls tells the story of a tragic accident and the
many years following. Throughout the album, a number of
characters are examined, and we see them struggle with their
lives after the accident. One character, a husband and
father, remains trapped in a coma following the accident,
yet his story is the real spotlight. This is but the surface
of the complex plot, which becomes continually more
impressive as the album progresses.
Most of the story is told within the songs themselves,
though certain elements are provided through spoken sections.
In many rock albums, spoken dialogue nearly ruins the album,
either do to abysmal voice acting or awful writing. Mercy
Falls suffers from neither of these problems. In fact, the
female voice acting is stellar--perhaps the best that I've
heard on any rock album.
Even more impressive is the fact that the album tells not
one but two stories. Of course, they are connected, yet the
way that the two stories interact is masterfully done. To
provide an example that does not give away story elements, a
voice acted section reveals an important action taken by the
man's wife and doctors. The effects of that action are
immediately explored in the next song, yet in a very
unexpected and brilliant manner. It is just one example of
the album's extremely creative storytelling style, which
allows the plot to seem extremely fresh, despite the fact
that it is, at heart, a fairly familiar situation.
Within the songs themselves, the lyrics range from good to
brilliant. I counted a few lines that could be considered
cliched, but these moments are far outweighed by simple
moments of lyrical beauty. There are a number of vocal
phrases that are extremely powerful, and the meaning
contained within single lines is often multifaceted. For
example, on the song Tears for a Father, the line "Please
don't tell...I know you won't tell" is simultaneously
heartbreaking and amusing, as it shows the typical innocence
of a child coupled with the tragic reality of the situation.
It's a breathtaking moment, and one of many that are likely
to make your throat tighten.
Yet the story would be ineffective without strong music to
support it, and Mercy Falls offers songs that will impress
even the most critical progressive metal fans. The album is
nearly eighty minutes long and offers songs in a variety of
moods. While Seventh Wonder doesn't necessarily delve into
many different musical styles, the songs never seem
repetitive, and the complex rhythms and unexpected time
changes ensure that the songs never seem stale.
Mercy Falls contains some insanely catchy vocal melodies.
The catchiness really never lets up on this disc; it's
almost overwhelming at times, as you'll be given several
melodies within a song, each stronger than the last. It's
something that Seventh Wonder accomplishes in a way that
other progressive bands do not. Just when you think you've
reached the "chorus" melody--the melody that is supposed to
be the strongest within a song--another is waiting just
seconds away, even stronger than the last. This is the case
in the fourth track, Unbreakable, which contains some
melodies that are simply stunning.
The delivery of said vocal melodies is flawless. Tommy
Karevik succeeds where so many progressive vocalists fall
short. Not only does he have an incredible range: the
quality and strength of his voice never falters, no matter
if he is singing low or high notes. In addition, the emotion
of his singing is matched perhaps only by Enchant's Ted
Leonard. While there are a plethora of instances in which
his emotion is evident on the album, perhaps none is as
strong as the performance of Tears for a Father. The lyrics
themselves are heartbreaking, but the way they're sung is
perhaps even more emotionally affecting. One Last Goodbye is
another highlight: a song that features a female guest
vocalist (who must remain nameless). Hearing them sing
together is yet another moment that's likely to put a lump
in your throat.
The instrumentation and production are both phenomenal as
well. The production deserves an extra special mention for
its ability to bring every instrument to the forefront of
the mix at various times. Whether it is the thunderous bass
drum technique of Johnny
Sandin or the complex grooves of bassist Andreas
Blomqvist, it's all easily heard in the mix, especially with
a great set of surround speakers or high-quality headphones.
Unbreakable, one of the album's longer tracks, has many
passages in which the guitar is central, then the bass, then
the drums, and it's all balanced perfectly. Furthermore,
it's crystal clear.
In a better world, this album would be absolutely huge. It
deserves it. It's an album that demands the listener's
undivided attention. Mercy Falls is the most accomplished
concept album in recent memory, and is easily a contender
for the best album of 2008. It's a disc that no fan of
progressive rock and metal should pass up. Mercy Falls is
the kind of album that you're proud to stand behind; it's a
banner that proudly proclaims "This is what music should
be."
www.progressivemelodies.com
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Label / Release Date |
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Lion Music
/ Out Now |
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Official Website |
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http://www.seventhwonder.nu |
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Track Listing |
1. Star Of David
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2. Taint The Sky
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3. Waiting In The Wings
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4. Banish The Wicked
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5. Not An Angel
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6. Devil's Inc
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7. Walking Tall
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8. The Edge Of My Blade
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Musicians |
Tommy Karevik - Vocals
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Johan Liefvendahl - Guitars
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Andreas “Kyrt” Söderin - Keyboards
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Andreas Blomqvist - Bass
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Johnny Sandin - Drums
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SEVENTH WONDER - WAITING
IN THE WINGS
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Seventh Wonder
was formed in 2000 by bass player
Andreas Blomqvist,
guitarist Johan
Liefvendahl and drummer
Johnny Sandin
after their previous band fell apart.
The music turned towards the progressive side of
metal and as the band was joined by keyboard player
Andreas “Kyrt”
Söderin late 2000, the new sound was
cemented. The band released the acclaimed
“Become” in 2005 on Lion Music although sadly I
felt that release was marred by the production
slightly (most likely down to budget constraints).
Just before the release of “Become” the band
replaced then vocalist Andi Kravljaca with
Tommy Karevik
whose super impressive vocals take the band to
stunning heights on their new album “Waiting In
The Wings”.
This new album “Waiting In The Wings” was
recorded in 2006 and was mixed and mastered by the
legendary
Tommy Hansen
(Helloween, T.N.T), and engineered by
Daniel Flores
(Mind’s Eye) and the band themselves. Sonically
it’s a huge improvement in every department over the
debut and now the band have the sound the debut
longed for. In conjunction the song writing skill
has also been turned up a few notches (something
which wasn’t lacking on the debut in reality) and
anyone that enjoys melodic progressive metal then be
prepared to have your senses absolutely buzzing with
the ecstasy that will be gained by purchasing this
album. The genre itself is very popular in Europe
and to a lesser extent in the USA, but this album
has the goods to make them into genre leaders –
simple as that.
Highly impressive from start to finish “Waiting
In The Wings” has no weak points although I feel
the album is at its strongest with the opening trio
of “Star Of David” (relatively mid tempo),
“Taint The Sky” (finely crafted metal) before
the title track “Waiting In The Wings” will
blow your head off with its polished musicianship
and stunning melodies (a favourite for Prog Metal
track of the year). Here the album continues very
strongly “Banish The Wicked” has a Malmsteen
“Eclipse” feel to its melodic verses whilst “Not
An Angel” possesses a power metal meets Vanden
Plas edge to it. “Devil’s Inc” is
reminiscent of Dream Theater at their best, although
Tommy Karevik vocals are infinitely more pleasing to
these ears than the LaBrie’s more recent output.
“Walking Tall” is a compact track which feels
like it has some roots in Queensrÿche waters (Op:Mindcrime
I era) with its riffing. Album closer “The Edge
Of My Blade” finishes things off in equally
impressive style.
The whole album from start to finish is a
progressive metal treat. No-one member really
stands out and this is to be praised as it shows the
guys are playing for the song which makes the album
stronger for it. Sonically the album is very good
and has a wicked bottom end. Couple this with
classy vocals and melodies and you have an all-round
hit. One to pick up for sure.
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Hot Spots : Star Of David,
Taint The Sky, Waiting In The Wings |
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Rating : 95% |
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Review from www.virtuosityone.com
SEVENTH WONDER - WAITING IN THE WINGS
(A-) Lion Music, 2006
9 tracks, RT: 55:48
I knew this band had great potential subsequent to my review of their
debut album BECOME, and sure enough, WAITING IN THE WINGS has proved me
right. An almost perfect balance of prog and melodic metal, WAITING IN
THE WINGS is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows in the community as
its many delights are discovered. One of the first things you notice
about WAITING IN THE WINGS is the phenomenal voice of Tommy Karevik,
who is ideal for this type of music. Check out the extraordinary "Taint
The Sky" for a quick overview of what this band is capable of, its
memorable keyboard intro leading to some killer rhythmic grooves,
tricky instrumental passages and that awesome voice! Guitarist Johan
Liefvendahl really distinguishes himself throughout the album,
delivering involved yet tasteful solos in unexpected places. Andreas
Blomqvist keeps the bass guitar foundation interesting and appropriate,
while drummer Johnny Sandin skillfully manages all manner of time
changes and technical challenges. Seventh Wonder certainly wouldn't be
what they are without keyboardist Andreas "Kyrt" Soderin, his playing
flashy in all the right places while adding the element of drama and
atmosphere so important to progressive music. More brilliance is
revealed on the crunchy "Banish The Wicked," majestic "Devil's Inc.,"
hard-hitting "Walking Tall," and anthemic "The Edge Of My Blade." The
band gets a little too far into AOR territory on "Not An Angel" and
finishes the album with the pleasant but relatively sedate "Pieces,"
but these are very small qualms; with uniformly strong material, adroit
performances along with an outstanding mix and production provided by
Tommy Hansen and Daniel Flores you have the ingredients for a superior
album, and WAITING IN THE WINGS does not disappoint. I just hope these
guys get the recognition they deserve! Stunning...
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@gmail.com)
Detritus Rock/Metal e-zine
"Rock Hard With A Purpose"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Detritus/
http://www.myspace.com/detritusezine
| Seventh Wonder - Waiting In The Wings (10/10) - Sweden - 2006 |
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Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Lion Music
Playing time: 51:21
Band homepage: Seventh Wonder
Tracklist:
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Star Of David
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Waiting In The Wings
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Banish The Wicked
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Not An Angel
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Walking Tall
- The Edge Of My Blade >mp3
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Two years ago, my fellow TMO Brother Charles McLachlan predicted that “SEVENTH WONDER…will definitely go on to great things.” The man must be psychic, because his estimate couldn’t have been more accurate. With “Waiting In The Wings”, the second full-length album from the Swedish Prog Metallers, SEVENTH WONDER have indeed produced something truly fantastic.
On “Waiting In The Wings”, the often at-odds theories of Melodic Metal and Progressive Metal are bridged with a polish I’ve yet to hear from any other band attempting the same (VENTURIA, CLOUDSCAPE). The verses are deliciously Proggy, with guitarist Johan Liefvendahl often collaborating with bassist Andreas Blomqvist on a light-speed harmony riff. The one around the six-minute mark on the title track is particularly interesting. I mean, Liefvendahl and Blomqvist can really play the hell out of their instruments, something that’s obviously a necessity in the musically challenging world of Prog.
The choruses are a whole different ballgame, although in a good way. They’re distinctly catchy and incredibly melodic, thanks to powerhouse vocalist Tommy Karevik, whose soaring voice really makes the choruses his own personal talent showcase. Karevik holds nothing back on the choruses, utilizing his full (and impressive) range to bring the song to full realization. What’s more, each chorus is noticeably different from the last; there isn’t any recycled material here whatsoever. When you listen to the multi-layered vocal harmonies of songs like “Devil’s Inc.”, “Not An Angel”, or “The Edge Of My Blade”, you really can’t help but think “Wow, this is pretty much icing on the cake”.
I tried my hardest to find a single flaw, just one little chink in the armour of this album, yet all my efforts were for naught. “Waiting In The Wings” is nothing but pure nirvana for Progressive Metal fans and I firmly believe it is worthy of a perfect score. If you’re a fan of Prog or Melodic Metal, or hell, even Power Metal (Karevik sounds a bit like Piet Sielck at times), do not hesitate to pick up this album. It’s well worth every cent. (Online October 6, 2006) |
www.metal-observer.com
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| SEVENTH WONDER - WAITING IN THE WINGS / Lion Music
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| Written by Matt Coe www.imhotep.fi |
| Monday, 02 October 2006 |
 
Stability in the front man department would not be one of the strong suits after perusing the background information on this Swedish progressive metal quintet. At one point enlisting the help of Insania vocalist Ola Halen as well as recording their debut album “Become” with ex-Elsesphere singer Andi Kravljaca, Seventh Wonder have made small strides in terms of their musicianship but lacked a convincing crooner to bring home all of the melodies in the perfect manner. Until now. Recorded during early 2006 the follow up album “Waiting In The Wings” marks the debut Seventh Wonder performance for Tommy Karevik, and what a masterful find he is in terms of tonality, warmth and charm.
“Waiting In The Wings” contains nine tracks that shimmer in a lighter progressive metal framework. The keyboards preferable accenting the more challenging guitar, bass and drum parts in an understated manner while the songs gravitate and fluctuate between short, quick efforts like closer “Pieces” and “Walking Tall” to more challenging epic filled efforts such as the title track or “Devil’s Inc.”. Tommy’s versatility and sensitivity come through in spades as he moves the listener not unlike a Jorn Lande or Goran Edman- especially evident on the more challenging “Taint The Sky” which could double as a long lost classic Elegy cut during their “Supremacy” album period. Bassist Andreas Blomqvist and drummer Johnny Sandin could teach all the Dream Theater clones a thing or two as a result of their playing on this album- proving you can mix up the tempos and throw down some crafty runs without always cramming thousands of notes into the measure. Engineering, mixing and mastering left in the capable dual hands of Daniel Flores and Tommy Hansen, Seventh Wonder should feel very proud of the recording they’ve released- you can hear the time signatures flow effortlessly while they soak in progressive rock/metal influences, creating their own take on the genre.
After years of burnout on the style while new acts couldn’t come up with something fresh to save their lives, acts like Seventh Wonder renew my banner waving desire to travel deeper into the underground to unearth what could possibly hit our stereos next.
(2006) 55.48 min.
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The second album from progressive metal band Seventh Wonder, titled Waiting in the Wings, is one hot release, and will easily surprise those who thought that their debut from 2005 Become was one of the best the genre had to offer that year. With brand new singer in tow,Tommy Karevik (ex-Vindictiv), the band sounds refueled and retooled, and Waiting in the Wings is a monster of soaring melodies, instrumental virtuosity, and crunchy riffs. Produced by none other than Tommy Hansen (Helloween, TNT), this brand new opus sounds fantastic, and the listener gets swept into each of the CD's nine tracks quite easily. 
Recorded by Daniel Flores of Mind's Eye. Mixed and mastered by legendary Tommy Hansen (Helloween, TNT, Jorn Lande). Artwork by Carl-André Beckston [MonoWasp]. Plus the music of Seventh Wonder taken to new hights by new frontman. Tommy Karevik on lead vocals.
Waiting
in the
Wings
Seventh
Wonder
The
debut album, Become, from newcomers Seventh Wonder is an
impressive first step in what hopefully becomes a long career.
Their music is best categorized as Melodic, Progressive Metal
full of power-drumming without all the extreme guitar
histrionics. The music is presented confidentially and
forcefully with more of a focus on melody versus overpowering
and overbearing displays of self-indulgence.
CL