Following their very positively received sixth album Perils Of The Deep Blue in 2013 the gothic symphonic metal group Sirenia have done it again. For the past fourteen years Moretn Veland Sirenia founder and mastermind has been steering the band successfully delivering many fine albums along the way and The Seventh Life Path is the latest. Some groups continue to go through changes in lead vocalists as Sirenia did on those early albums, but Sirenia have retained the same one and for some years, that is Ailyn who joined the Norwegian band in 2008.
The striking cover artwork for The Seventh Life Path really is impressive creating a strong initial impression cleverly tying in with the album's title, and the songs within maintain those positive thoughts. Lacking the amount of immediate hooks found on a prior recordings like say Nine Destinies And A Downfall The Seventh Life Path is quite the heavy and adventurous release with added complexity and plenty to digest, and the more you listen the more captivating The Seventh Life Path becomes. Vocally fans of Moretn Veland's darker input will surely be impressed with this album, along with Ailyn's wonderful contributions and that of the male/female choir.
A short but very sweet symphonic introduction with a potent chorale inclusion is "Seti", that leads to the striking track "Serpent" and l really like that guitar sound on this one, the darkness descends with a mix of growls and Ailyn's angelic vocals and underpinned by that tasteful groove. The engaging "Once My Light" is next and the band have actually released a video for this one. We find both clean and darker male vocals on "Elixr", and the choir adds to the power of "Sons Of The North" both tracks are very alluring. "Earendel" is quite the zestful number with many delectable elements and one of my standouts, the growls are prevalent for the first half of "Insania" a dynamic metal song, and drummer Jonathan A. Perez gets animated for the intricate heavy number "The Silver Eye".
So take a trip down the The Seventh Life Path an album that upholds the high standard Sirenia have served up on those wonderful releases such as Perils Of The Deep Blue, The 13th Floor and Nine Destinies And A Downfall.
Track Listing
1. Seti
2. Serpent
3. Once My Light
4. Elixir
5. Sons Of The North
6. Earendel
7. Concealed Disdain
8. Insania
9. Contemptuous Quitus
10. The Silver Eye
11. Tragedienne