SEVENTH CRYSTAL – Entity (2024) *HQ*
Melodic hard rock band from Gothenburg SEVENTH CRYSTAL will release their third studio album “Entity” on November 8th, 2024, via Frontiers Music. The album sees the band exploring and expanding different genres, bringing their melodic rock formula to progressive rock fields, sometimes a little heavier than before.
The band explain the concept of the album: “We live in an age of social media, AI, filter bubbles and sensational headlines by unknown writers. Disinformation controls the masses and creates multiple truths where the reality remains unknown. The development of technology is largely about solving problems and fulfilling human needs. But can it also lead to the opposite and become its own master with humans as its subjects? A kind of being, an “Entity”.
Opener ‘Oathbreaker’ rocks with heavy guitars and shows a modern edge not heard in the band before, still being melodic and with the big sound of the current Scandinavian scene. Next, ‘Thirteen to One’ focus on the anthemic delivery, however initial verses are atmospheric creating tension which explodes in the chorus.
Third track ‘404’ (‘not found’ in the internet slang) change pace for a dark midtempo rocker with crazy synths and interesting lyrics.
Follower ‘Path of The Absurd’ is a highlight. Here the progressive aspect appears, but don’t think about classic prog – this is hard rock with ‘progression’ in arrangements, where SEVENTH CRYSTAL shows their ability to expand their sound & style in the future. The vocals are powerful, the twin guitars are technical yet melodic, and the chorus kills.
‘Blinded by the Light’ is another interesting track, again with a modern structure still melodic hard rock at heart. But the sonics – and kudos to production – are huge, modern, away from you typical melodic hard rock song. And this is what makes SEVENTH CRYSTAL new album so unique.
Is this the future of the genre? Melodic Hard Rock should go sonically in this direction? We think the genre needs an upgrade – and while our classic ’80s sound should be preserved, and there’s very good exponents / artists right now – new bands should try what SEVENTH CRYSTAL has done in “Entity”. It will bring new listeners, especially young, for sure.
“Entity” is a fantastic album. We didn’t expect SEVENTH CRYSTAL growing up this good, mixing melodic hard with progressive, at places sounding like some polished melodic prog metal giants – you know ’em – resulting in a big, elaborated (the album’s concept is great too) piece of work.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Oathbreaker
02 – Thirteen to One
03 – 404
04 – Path of the Absurd
05 – Architect of Light
06 – Interlude
07 – Blinded by the Light
08 – Siren Song
09 – Versus
10 – Mayflower
11 – Push Comes to Shove
12 – A Place Called Home
13 – Song of the Brave
Kristian Fyhr – Vocals
Gustav Linde – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Emil Dornerus – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Olof Gadd – Bass, Backing Vocals
Anton Roos – Drums, Percussion
Pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Entity-Seventh-Crystal/dp/B0DCKZ3V2L
