7thorns is a Danish Power Metal band, playing a very melodic style with semi-symphonic elements. After listening to their great demo
Artificial Night (
read review), I was eager to hear more of what this band has to offer, so when I was invited to join the guys in the studio, I gladly accepted!
7thorns have locked themselves up in the
Stone Lab Studio here in Denmark to record their debut album under the title
Glow Of Dawn. Steen Mogensen, who is also producing the album, owns the studio. An accomplished musician himself, playing in bands as Royal Hunt and currently Cornerstone, Steen Mogensen certainly has an ear for catchy and melodic music. 7thorns drummer
Lars is very enthusiastic about his ability to understand the band's music and his way of creating a sound that suits their style perfectly. He seems like a great match for the band!
Lars appears very excited that the band finally gets to record a real album. He is a founding member of 7thorns and the band has existed for around 8 years (on-off, the band has went through a lot of line up changes and long breaks, but was initially formed in 1998), and until now, only one demo has been released. So this is definitely a big step forward! Actually, the band is so hell-bent on making this happen, that they took matters into their own hands and have financed the making of Glow Of Dawn out of their own pockets!
Stone Lab Studio is a facility consisting of three separate rooms: one room for the takes (recording of instruments), centered around a huge mixing console and the computer, where Steen Mogensen sits very concentrated, paying attention to every detail being recorded. The second room is heavily isolated and meant for the recording of vocals and soli. The third room is a cozy place with sofas and a huge table, where the guys can relax, talk, eat and basically do what they like.
When I arrive at the studio, bass player
Kenneth is in the middle of recording some of his stuff for the ballad called
Dream World. Parts of the drums have been re-arranged, so the bass work must be redone as well. The band is open to changes in the music all the way through the recording phase. Nothing is viewed as final or totally finished until they stand with the finished album in their hands. Even in the last minute, everything can change, if someone has an idea for improvement, as keyboard player
Tyr tells me. This is also the reason the band members who are not to record anything still come to the studio anyway. The band seems to work like a unit, and all members can come with ideas and inputs during the recording.
Drummer Lars explains, that the biggest difference between the album and the two-track demo will be, that the band have tried to broaden their musical horizons and develop a more personal sound. As Lars points out, there are already too many bands playing this brand of German-influenced Power Metal, that are too difficult to separate from each other. 7thorns want to stand out and be special.
Today, the band is concentrating on the recording of guitars and some keyboard.
The guys joke on each other's account and the vibe is relaxed and friendly, but still a very professional attitude lies in the air. When recording the guys clearly concentrate on giving their best, and the studio experience is not only about having mindless fun and drinking endless amounts of beer, as you have probably heard about from other bands. There is a distinctive focus on getting the best out of each instrument.
Guitar player
Pete is occupied with laying down some guitar parts for the song
Henchman, a song I have already heard the band play live. I must say that at this volume and in this sound quality, the characteristic riff of the song sounds very impressive and powerful. Pete seems very concentrated and dedicated to perfect the guitar part. The same piece of music must be recorded over and over, until band and producer are satisfied, which takes a serious dose of patience. Producer Steen Mogensen sits in front of the computer screen, carefully paying attention to every detail in the music. He works with pro-tools and the various tracks for each instrument is visible at the screen, making it possible to make sure everything is in sync.
The band works efficient and dedicated, there is no time for long breaks, except at lunch time, when the guys and I find time to eat some sliced bread and drink one beer each. We even discover that the beers are too old, but we drink them anyway.
After lunch, the keyboard is brought into focus. Today, Tyr records the atmospheric parts, not the soli. In the process it is clear, what a dramatic effect this instrument adds to the music. It instantly provides more drama and a slightly symphonic edge. It is fun to witness, how more and more elements are added to a song. The band has finished the drums and recently the bass for all songs, and as guitar, then keyboard is layered upon this basic backbone, you can feel the songs grow and come to life.
The only band member not present today is singer
Thomas. He is the only guy in the band able to make a living out of the music, being a professional singer. Today he sings at a wedding, and soon he will appear at the set-up of
Evita here in Denmark. He has a background as a musical singer, and has many jobs outside 7thorns.
Another person missing in action today is an A&R man from
Limb Music, who had promised to show up in the studio, to watch the band perform. For unknown reasons he just never came and can't be reached by phone either.
The band feels that Limb Music's profile would suit the band and that the record company has the right size and not too many real big superstar bands in their rooster that would overshadow 7thorns. The label would have more possibility to pay attention to the musician's wishes and demands. However, it might as well be another label with a similar profile that ends up with the honor of signing with the Danish Metallers. When they stand with a finished quality record in their hands, they'll be much better able to set terms and make some demands!
A song that deserves a special mention is a yet-untitled track, that the band has jokingly nicknamed
"The Sweater Song" due to it's striking similarities with an old Danish pop hit, with lyrics about pulling on and old sweater and go fishing. That song is a cheesy "grandma's favorite" here in Denmark, and hearing a part of it transformed into Power Metallic madness was quite fun!
If you enjoy your Metal with a good dose of melody, be sure to check out the official 7thorns
homepage for more on the band!
The at-the-moment tracklist, which is subject to change, looks like this:
Album title: Glow Of Dawn
1. Aligned With Divinity
2. Henchman - a song with a solid guitar fundament and a great riff.
3. Seven Thorns -a song, the band referred to as "a hit!"
4. Dream World - The ballad of the album.
5. Until Freedom Last Forever - A darn catchy tune I have experienced live.
6. Glow Of Dawn
7. 'Till The End Of Time
8. Before We Go This Far
9. "The Sweater Song" - Song Not yet titled.
Look forward to the new album and more on 7thorns later!
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