7HY (Seven Hard Years) – For The Record (2017)
Initially formed as a solo project by which to document his own songwriting adventures, Alan Kelly (formerly of UK legend SHY) has cultivated a strong, skilful stable of band mates and collaborators in the continuing saga of 7HY (officially named Seven Hard Years).
7HY certainly didn’t waste any time getting a third album out. Just one year after releasing the very enjoyable Stories We Tell, 7HY is back with a new album titled “For The Record“, released last year on physical CD format only.
“For The Record” finds Kelly (who also handles guitar, bass and keys here) continuing his collaboration with vocalist Shawn Pelata (Final Sign) as well as the arrival of guitarist Danny Beardsley (The Parallax Method).
Adding a guitarist like Beardsley with prog-worthy technial chops definitely added a layer to 7HY’s already rock-solid brand of melodic hard rock. Special note has to be made to the collaboration on the album with Andrew Chick. Chick had previously worked on Stories We Tell and brings so much to the table here.
The songs on “For The Record” are really well-crafted and do a great job balancing catchy melodic hooks, huge choruses and a satisfying hard rock backbone.
The album starts with ‘Never Say Goodbye’, a melodic gem of an opener that reveals immediately the way that 7HY bring that classic ’80s rock sound right up to date. ‘Burning Rain’ keeps the magic moving with a steady hard hitting rhythm. The track feels like it could be a soundtrack to a car chase.
‘Nothing Hurts Me Like You’ has it all, a gripping melody, sing-a-long chorus and a vibe that screams hit single.
We are left in no doubt that 7HY means business with the hard edged ‘Uprising’.
Shawn Pelata demands to know “Who’s side are you on?” as he begs you to answer. Well I know where I stand….great track.
The chompingly heavy ‘Be Who We Want’ thumps it’s way next with its chant like verses and Sabbath-esque guitar work. It is another awesome track that just gets better and better with every listen.
‘Can’t Let You Go’ is another of those “should be a hit single” tracks, fabulous drumming and shout it out choruses make this one special. ‘That Song’ fires up and treats us to more dark and edgy rhythms. It’s another fine example of bringing the rock style up to date.
With the Foreigner sounding ‘Strangers Again’ we are taken on a journey of heartbreak and desperation with a power ballad 80s inspured. ‘Strangers Again’ is simply beautiful.
The rocking ‘We Can Be Strong’ has a wonderful chorus with quite a hook to it. ‘I’m Gonna Be You’ again contains the familiar theme of great melody, catchy chorus, although the underlying message to the song sounds pretty evil to me.
‘What Love Can Make Me Do’ is one of my favorite tracks on the album, different from the rest with a proggressive feeling in some places, and damn good in most.
Every melodic hard rock album should have an epic, that one track that makes you just want to hear more from the band. In closer ‘What is the World’ we have just that. Eerie, haunting keyboards, gentle acoustic guitars, an awesome guitar solo and powerful backing vocals. This is the perfect album closer. A grandiose midtempo semi-ballad that builds and builds on so many different levels.
If 7HY wanted “For The Record” to make a statement, then they have certainly succeeded in doing so. This is a very good 3rd album (their best to date) packing all the right ingredients to carry forward the legacy that is Bristish Melodic Hard Rock.
It’s a more mature record with some elaborated tracks alongside the straight melodic rockers which sport American influences as well.
Highly Recommended
You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox
01 – Never Say Goodbye
02 – Burning Rain
03 – Nothing Hurts Me Like You
04 – Uprising
05 – Be Who We Want
06 – That Song
07 – Can’t Let You Go
08 – Strangers Again
09 – We Can Be Strong
10 – I’m Gonna Be You
11 – What Love Can Make Me Do
12 – What Is The World
Alan Kelly: guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, backing vocals
Shawn Pelata: vocals
Danny Beardsley: guitar
Elliot Kelly: guitar
Andrew Chick: bass, guitar, keyboards
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Record-7hy/dp/B071JD8518
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