THE GREAT ESCAPE

The above quote by Progrussia at the main page of this site today really struck my head and makes me realize that I have not said anything at all about this band even though this The Great Escape album has been in my regular playlist. Yes, in a way I agree with his statement irrespective it's criminal or not .... The fact is that this band is really underrated. He then also wrote: " ...combine an ear for sugar sweet melodies and technical brilliance of Dream Theater, although they rarely go into extensive soloing - few of the so-called Dream Theatar clones do, nor they should if can't top the masters.". Yup! His words help me formulate how I feel abouth the music of Seventh Wonder whom I knew because of Kamelot latest album. I have to admit that this band has a technical mastery: composition-wise as well as performance-wise with his counterparts like Kamelot, Dream Theater and Symphony X.

I would have never known the band until someone, my metalhead friend, told me that the new vocalist of my favourite band Kamelot has a band named as Seventh Wonder. I was so curious about it and expecting Seventh Wonder plays similar music like Kamelot. When I finally got this album .. oh no they are different than Kamelot musically but they are as excellent as Kamelot! In fact, I'd like the vocalist sings the way he sings in Seventh Wonder and not emulating like Roy Khan when he is the lead vox for Kamelot. In fact, I am afraid the lead vocal Tommy Karevik would quit from Seventh Wonder ...oh no ... He should not do that! Seventh Wonder must stay alive , and so Kamelot!

Looking at the music, the opening track Wiseman (5:42) sounds to me like a song that goes directly to chorus when the vocal line enters the music. This is quite unique actually. It moves like a straight forward power metal music with typically nice melody. Almost the same style happens at the next track Alley Cat (6:06). The Angelmaker (8:29) is more complex than the previous two tracks especially it has excellent guitar as well as keyboard solo. I must agree that actually Seventh Wonder tends not to demonstrate long solo so that the music sounds packed with combination of sounds from all instruments. There are some heavy riffs but not as frequent as Dream Theater. Right after the ballad Long Way home (4:26) the music moves up to much more energetic Move on Through (5:04) with its powerful combination of vocal harmony (plus nice melody - of course) and excellent riffs and drumming. The keyboard plays very well at the back. Ilove the bass playing at this track. This track is positioned right before the last epic which is I believe was carefully planned by the band as musical peak to conclude the album.

The Great Escape is of course an epic with its 30:14 duration. I can assure you that the duration that is considered long by some people is not that long actually because the band has successfully crafted the composition in such a way that makes us, the listeners, stunned all the way from start to end. When it starts with acoustic guitar, it reminds me to Genesis' Horison right before Supper's Ready. But this one has vocal line on top of acoustic guitar. I really enjoy the opening part with only acoustic guitar and vocal. Tommy's voice is excellent! When the keyboard enters with some classical music, it starts to make my adrenalin rolls faster. It;s really a very nice transition piece - I imagine myself watching a movie with giant screen. It flows with guitar work and the music flows in medium tempo while the riffs work its way. Well I have to admit that Andreas Blomqvist (bass), Johan Liefvendahl (guitar) and Andreas "Kyrt" Söderin (keyboard) work their best to create wonderful music here until the vocal enters. The rest is a demonstration of power metal music with excellent keyboards as well as guitar throughout all musical segments. I enjoy the staccato riffs they insert in some segments that make the epic sounds really excellent!

Overall, this is a highly recommended album with full 4.5 stars upgradeable to five stars. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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