The Great Escape is a progressive metal delight!
Seventh Wonder have outdone themselves here. Their last album, Mercy Falls, was filled with excellent music but hampered by unnecessary narration. No missteps of any kind mar the album this time around, the listener is "simply" presented with music that is technically adept and uncompromising in its complex, yet melodic approach.
There's really not much more to say. The band nails it in every song and manage to showcase their strengths in a way that doesn't feel forced. The feeling I get is one of being welcomed in and then finding myself unable to leave because the music is so damn melodic and challenging all through the album.
There is an impressive tightness to the band. Guitar, drums, bass and keys all work together in unity to create something special. It is not fair to emphasize any one instrument, each is given time to shine but the impression I get is one of perfect balance. Tommy Karevik's vocals stand out though. His voice has a strong natural sounding tone and he sounds in control all through the album. He brings the album extra life with many enticing vocal melodies.
Each song has a theme and a specific atmosphere. Instrumental passages impress but never outstay their welcome. Judging by the sound of this digital promo the production is excellent and as
Wiseman blasts off the album it delivers a suitably big but compact sound where everything is clearly audible. Of many highlights a couple of my personal fave moments include
The Angelmaker which smacks you in the face with a brilliant chorus section and sustains a certain dark atmosphere all through its 8 minutes as well as
King of Whitewater which is immediately captivating and has a chorus section that sparks of positive attitude.
When, after about 5 listens,
Long Way Home suddenly opened up the experience was chilling. This ballad all of a sudden took on a whole new life. An absolutely wonderful melody, stunning singing and a hint of melancholy. Just perfect.
The title track, according to the promo sheet based on the epic space saga Aniara written in 1956 by Swedish Nobel Prize winner Harry Martinson, is a 30 minute opus that takes focus to enjoy fully. The tender acoustic opening is wonderful and peaked my interest right away. 30 minutes pass at lightspeed as the song flies from one melodic passage to another. While it is not in the same vincinity as a classic epic like Dream Theater's A Change of Seasons (what is?), it is a testament to the build quality of the song that I keep coming back to it and never feel like half an hour passed by when it ends.
The album is released on December 3. and you can count on me making an order right away so I can get the full experience. The Great Escape is a highlight of 2010 and comes highly recommended.
Written by
Steen Monday, November 29, 2010
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