ALBUM REVIEW: Seven Sisters – Seven Sisters

The traditional metal renaissance is still in full swing and it’s never been cooler to unironically dress in double denim like you’re from the ‘80s while sporting a handlebar moustache and large pair of aviators. A large number of these bands are from Britain and the most recent offering from the London scene comes in the form of SEVEN SISTERS and their self-titled debut album.

Opener Destiny Calling begins quietly before a short solo and riffs straight-from-the-NWOBHM appear closely followed by the vocals of frontman Kyle McNeill, no silly stage names here. While the vocals aren’t the best, they fit with the overall retro aesthetic and help give the feeling that this is a passion project rather than an attempt to ‘make it’. Highways Of The Night is the mandatory driving song of the album and does manage to capture a little of that feeling that many of the best songs from the era gave off. The song also shows that while not entirely original the band has the chops to play and compose something catchy and fun to listen too.

The Silk Road is another solid offering that lends more to some of the less well known acts from the early ‘80s, such as TYGERS OF PAN TANG, both lyrically and musically. Slower and more melodic than the opening tracks its provides a nice contrast and shows that SEVEN SISTERS have the musical chops to compose solid songs rather than just being imitators. The album’s title track, Seven Sisters, itself a homage to naming conventions of the era, is another quieter track that takes a while to spring into life. At seven minutes long it’s something of an epic and loses some of the momentum when the tempo’s switch but overall is enjoyable enough. Pure As Sin relaxes a bit after something so long with a shorter more mid-paced track featuring some lovely twin guitar harmonies. A solid track with surprisingly solid lyrics for ones that have been done hundreds of times before.

Continuing the mid-paced songs comes Commanded By Fear which almost uniquely on the album features backing vocals. The guitars continue to be one of the highlights of the album, especially when you remember the sheer number of NWOBHM bands that have played the style before, managing to sound inspired rather than a simple rip off. Gods And Man Alike is the shortest track on the album and a fast paced little song that tears past in the blink of an eye with a solo and some good riffs. The albums closer, Cast To The Stars, begins quietly before ending the album as it begun with some twin guitar melodies. Nothing new, but just good fun.

Which sums up SEVEN SISTERS well. Anyone looking at this release, or even the band as a whole, knows what to expect here. A well done homage to a movement that once ruled the world, however briefly. It doesn’t pretend to be original but at the same times refrains from ripping off its idols and that makes it a commendable if limited album.

Rating: 7/10

Seven Sisters is set for release on October 14th via High Roller Records.

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