- SHADOW OF A FALLEN STAR PT 1 - SEVEN SISTERS
Earmaster: Christopher Caps | Website: sevensistersheavymetal.co.uk
Seven Sisters – Shadow of a Fallen Star Part 1 Seven Sisters have become one of the most established masters of the New-New Wave of British Heavy Metal. They are one of the most ambitious unadulterated Metal bands, both in terms of their work ethic and their musical composition. Last album, The Cauldron and the Cross, evidenced their desire for growth and refusal to rest on their laurels.
The band went from their debut – a collection of straight-up bangers – to a more grandiose second effort: a concept album inspired by The Mists of Avalon, with a stronger Progressive Rock and Metal influence and a more complex sound. The album did not have the same adrenaline-rush immediacy of the self-titled debut, but it awarded multiple listens to reveal a truly impressive and superior effort. That hunger to evolve the Seven Sisters sound is very much present on their third full-length, Shadow of a Fallen Star Part 1. While the album is a notable 10 minutes shorter, it is no less ambitious and, if anything, it leans more greatly into those progressive aspirations.
The intro track ‘Andromeda Rising’ has that proggy feel of when early Priest let their Queen influence come to the fore, before going full-pelt cosmic, sci-fi in the first full song ‘Beyond the Black Stars’. I’ve always felt that Rush could be heard in the Seven Sisters sound, and this still rings true to my battered ears on Shadow of a Fallen Star.
“Shit band, no fans is far from the truth…”
‘Beyond the Black Stars’ is unlike any previous Seven Sisters song but it is still unmistakably them, twisting their traditional Metal majesty to fit their new sci-fi concept. ‘The Artifice’ and the title track also emphasise the stronger sci-fi sounds, helping to keep Seven Sisters fresh and exciting. In particular, ‘Shadow of a Fallen Star’ really impresses as capturing elements of change to the Seven Sisters sound while still being an absolute banger. And yet there are still more conventional tracks recognisable as Seven Sisters in full-Metal-power attack, through songs like ‘Whispers in the Dark’ and ‘Horizon’s Eye’. Another notable evolution in the sound is a further reduced influence from Speed Metal and a further embrace of the stadium Metal sound of bigger 80s bands – something that I really notice on ‘The Artifice’ and ‘Horizon’s Eye’. Ultimately, this mix of influences creates the most varied Seven Sisters album to date and really shows the band’s confidence to explore different ideas within their own sound. When The Cauldron and the Cross was released, I recall that I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Initially, I wanted Seven Sisters Part Two and so it took me a while to readjust my expectations and fully appreciate what Seven Sisters were trying to do. Over time, I came to enjoy it notably more than the debut.
Overall…
I think I was more ready for what Shadow of a Fallen Star was going to offer but, once again, I have had to readjust my expectations and I know this album is going to reveal itself more and more over time. It’s too soon to say whether Seven Sisters latest effort will surpass The Cauldron and the Cross but it is undeniable that the band have unleashed another impressively ambitious and accomplished album. Top class effort from a top class band (I mean, Shit band, no fans!).