THE SEVENTH HOUSE

IQ

Neo-Prog

4.01 | 767 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

I.Q. continues their streak of quality if sometimes same-y albums with The Seventh House. The band has hit a stride of quality writing and playing, and this one is no exception.

The Wrong Side of Weird, great title, and suitable oddball opening synth riff, leading into a galloping section of driving rock that IQ does so well. The bass especially shines here, providing the urgent pulse that keeps pushing it forwards. Very reminiscent of Ever's opener The Darkest Hour. Love how the synths soar especially high over the other instruments anchoring. Segues into a slower and slightly minor key middle section with good piano work from Martin Orford, which builds to a dark and spooky section with some distorted guitar work from Mike Holmes before picking up the tempo again to reprise the opening.

Erosion: classic keyboard intro, but already IQ is recycling it's own ideas. Again, these are great ideas but their formula verges on becoming stale with this album. Good build to the song, dark and harder edge with a good guitar solo. Solid as ever.

Seventh House is another mini epic, with all the solid IQ elements.

Zero Hour is more mellow and laid back, with saxophone added because hey, why not. It works! Again, all solid stuff.

Shooting Angels is where this album starts to drag, not bringing any new ideas by recombining old ones into another song.

Guiding Light starts with a mournful piano melody, very good. The slow buildup and crescendo to the manic instrumental climax sets this one apart a bit from the rest, bringing some energy to the closer.

Overall, good but not essential. 3 stars.

The Ace Face | 3/5 | 2021-7-22

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this IQ review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to The Ace Face
Report this review (#2580767)
Buy IQ music online with PA partners
Show all IQ MP3/Stream
Go to IQ page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to The Seventh House page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for IQ related discussions