Four years after “Tiara”, Seventh Wonder returns with a new studio effort. I understand that four years is neither a lengthy nor a short period of time. So, I suppose their diehard fans should be thrilled. “The Testament” is not a concept album with lengthy tracks. It’s more straightforward and to the point in general. The line-up remains unchanged from the previous effort, so we have Tommy Karevik on vocals, Johan Liefvendahl on guitar, Andreas Södering on keyboards, Andreas Blomqvist on bass, and Stefan Norgren on drums. The musicianship is excellent, as one would expect.
It’s clear from the first listen that the album is full of great melodies, amazing performances, and emotional elements, making it easier to dive into it right away. Of course, after multiple listens, you may pay attention to every little detail and appreciate the final result much more.
All of the songs are excellent, including the softer, ballad-like closer “Elegy”, but standouts include the mesmerizing “The Light”, the melodic & catchy “The Red River”, the powerful “Mindkiller”, and the spectacular “Under a Clear Blue Sky”. The album may not be as complex as the band’s previous work, but I doubt anyone will object to the more melodic and direct approach. It will still please Seventh Wonder fans and probably make it onto year-end best progressive metal album lists.
The band’s prog metal sound, defined by evocative lyrics and wonderful melodies, is much more obvious on this album, particularly in the vocal lines. Tommy Karevik’s vocals shine once again, delivering the lyrics with naturalness and emotion. No need to wonder why his one of the top voices of our time. All things considered, “The Testament” will not only enthuse the band’s fans, but it will also bring new followers to their camp.
