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7days: Into Forever

Through Dark and Light

If you are someone who loves high-quality Swedish progressive power metal, regardless of the level of cheesiness and pretentiousness that comes along with it, the new album from 7days should be right up your alley. Even though this isn't the most revolutionary album to have ever graced my ears, it's hard to deny quality like this. The four vocalists are all marvelous, the compositions are great, and the general level of polish is truly impressive. Into Forever is a wonderful album from beginning to end on all fronts. This is one of those few albums where the sheer strength of the music can allow me to see through any clichés and shortcomings. If you like progressive power metal in the vein of Ayreon and Therion, I strongly encourage checking out Into Forever - don't miss out on this hidden gem!

The music here is, stylistically, a pretty standard prog power metal affair. Expect soaring vocals, fast double bass pedal rhythms, and bombastic keyboards. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, I think it's safe to say that you will be in heaven with Into Forever. With powerful tracks like "The Innocence In Me", "Under the Sun", "Into Forever", and the 20 minute epic "Final Wisdom", there's certainly a lot to like here. One of the best things about this album is the way it manages to make every single song memorable, without ever sounding too simplistic for its own good. With that said, the highlight in 7days is probably the vocal department for me. The use of four lead vocalists gives a lot of variation in the music, especially the female vocals from Caroline Sigfridsson. She has a fantastic voice that fits perfectly in 7days's sound. All of the instrumentalists are equally impressive, boasting impressive drum fills and amazing keyboard and guitar duals. All in all, Into Forever is a great album that I hope all fans of prog/power metal experience sooner rather than later. If you don't like the genre, this won't change your mind, but Into Forever is far more than a competent album.

The production is great, so there are no complaints here. The drums do sound a bit synthetic, but I think it fits in perfectly with the rest of the music.

Conclusion:

Into Forever is a great sophomore album by 7days. Even though it's not the most groundbreaking album I've ever heard, it stays true to its genre and does that extremely well. Between the terrific vocal harmonies, memorable songwriting, and amazing instrumental performances, it'd be really hard for me to give this anything less than 4 shiny stars. This won't convert the naysayers into power metal fanatics, but it's a great listen for anyone who enjoys the genre. Don't miss out on this!


Track Listing
1. Through Dark And Light
2. Into Forever
3. The Innocence In Me
4. You Hold The Key
5. Enter A Dream
6. Crossing
7. We Cry No More
8. Under The Sun
9. Scattered Mind
10. Final Wisdom
11. What Matters

Added: December 11th 2010
Reviewer: Jeff B
Score:
Related Link: Band MySpace Page
Hits: 2987
Language: english

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7days: Into Forever
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2015-10-17 09:41:41
My Score:

7days were initially formed by Harmony and Darkwater guitarist Markus Sigfridsson to utilise some of the songs he had written that didn't quite fit with the style of those other bands. Their debut album "The Weight Of The World" was released in 2006 with a stellar cast of musicians helping Sigfridsson to realise his vision. Now some four years later we have the second instalment from 7days and once more the set of musicians assembled is mightily impressive. Sigfridsson himself handles guitars, some keyboards and programming, while Stormwind/Dionysos keyboard player Kasper Dahlqvist handles the solos. Andreas Passmark (Royal Hunt, Narnia, Rob Rock) plays bass, with drummer extraordinaire Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye, Murder Of My Sweet, among many others) completing the rhythm section. There are four vocalists also involved this time round, with the trio of Thomas Vikstrom (Therion, Stormwind, Candlemass), Erik Tordsson and Caroline Sigfridsson sparring and duelling on lead vocals and Divenfire, Golden Resurrection and Narnia vocalist Christian Liljegren also contributing (the album is released through Christian's "Liljegren" label).

The album itself is a great mix of progressive metal with some thundering power metal overtones however it is all presented in a melodic, if grandiose setting that allows the four vocalists to really stretch out. The feeling is very dark and gothic, with choral voices adding to the drama and Caroline Sigfridsson bringing a very slightly operatic edge, that while thankfully not overpowering, does provide a wonderful counterpoint for the male singers to bounce off. Caroline however more than holds her own and her inclusion on the album really elevates the vocal arrangements. Vikstrom and Tordsson revel in the grand Therion like settings that intersperse the heavier more straight forward moments, however when all four singers come together to sing as a chorus, the results are quite outstanding.

Musically the stinging guitars and layers of keyboards are a forceful mix, that while not creating anything hugely original, does ensure that 7days have the firepower to make a lasting impression. The machine gun riff, deft keyboards and soaring vocals of "You Hold The Key", or grinding guitars and atmospheric layers of "We Cry No More" should keep the prog metallers salivating. However it is the nineteen minute epic "Final Wisdom", which really shows this band at their best. The track slowly builds from a slow insistent beginning, where the choral stabs (ala Therion) and stomping riff sets a scene that is transformed as the guitars and keyboards grow in pace and ferocity. Flores and Passmark really shine on this track, with the time changes and pounding rhythms setting the foundation from which the melodies and vocals can build and build. The overall effect is quite mesmerising and truly takes you on a journey as the crunchingly heavy themes are punctuated by subtle, quieter pauses that allow the atmosphere to grow.

It may have been a been a long wait between albums, however 7days have delivered another excellent disc full of interesting themes and hard hitting yet intricate metal. It may not be the most original set of songs you will ever hear, however "Into Forever" can more than hold its own against the best bands producing this style of music.



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