by John Kindred
— Publisher —
Florida’s Seven Kingdoms return with their seventh studio release aptly titled Zenith.
The group has been hammering out an existence since 2007 when they released their debut independent studio album Brothers of the Night. Line-up changes and growing pains led to Sabrina Cruz (formally Sabrina Valentine) joining the group and releasing their self-titled album Seven Kingdoms in 2009 on Nightmare Records.
Flash forward to 2022 and the group, which features founding members Camden Cruz (guitar) and brothers Kevin (guitars) and Keith Byrd (drums) along with Sabrina, offers fans a powerful set of new songs.
Zenith is a poignant name for the band’s fifth full-length studio release. For a self-produced album, the production is top-notch, and the music sounds like it had the backing of a major label.
The soaring, powerful, and elegant voice of Sabrina Cruz should put her peers on notice. Sitting on top of the metallic Power Metal rhythmic structures her voice is the icing on the cake whose sweetness will keep listeners coming back for more.
Musically, Seven Kingdoms are skilled not only at being masters of their instruments but also at crafting song structures that feature that dynamic skill set. The dual-axe-attack offers listeners blistering and melodic solos and crunchy rhythms. The percussion is lively, providing the energy that drives the music forward down the path of each song’s epic journey. Other textures blend into the song structures including keyboards. The music breathes, ebbs, and flows in a state that doesn’t feel contrived or forced.
In all, listeners get 43 plus minutes of music. “Diamond Handed” gets things started with an energetic rhythmic progression where the vocals enter almost immediately. Listening to the music one may think of Kobra and the Lotus or Unleash the Archers. This is a good comparison to the musical and vocal style of Seven Kingdoms if one were to tell a new listener what to expect. Plenty of amazing songs are begging to be listened to, a case in point is – “Chasing the Mirage.” The song is energetic, with amazing vocal melodies and melodic harmonized guitar interplay throughout.
Seven Kingdoms likes to dabble in recording cover songs. They have put the stamp on Heart’s “Baracuda” (see video below), and this time around they close out the CD with a cover of Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Loving You.” This is a faithful rendition of the original with a much heavier metallic tone. In addition, the song highlights Sabrina’s vocals. As she has no issue ripping through the tune with ease.
The band has released four videos featuring tracks from Zenith – “Diamond Handed,” “Empty Eyes,” “Universal Terrestrial” and ““I Hate Myself For Loving You.” So, for new and old fans, you can get a great idea of what this album is about. Blistering from beginning to end, it is well worth the price of admission to hear and journey within the band’s musical landscapes.
The album artwork is amazing! It’s sci-fi, mystical, colorful, thought-provoking imagery.
Band:
Sabrina Cruz – Vocals
Camden Cruz – Guitar
Kevin Byrd – Guitar
Keith Byrd – Drums
Track Listing:
01. Diamond Handed
02. A Silent Remedy
03. Love Dagger
04. Chasing The Mirage
05. Valonqar
06. Empty Eyes
07. Magic In The Mist
08. Universal Terrestrial
09. The Water Dance
10. Life Signs
11. I Hate Myself For Loving You
Label: Distortion Music Group
Genre: Power Metal, Heavy Metal
Web:
https://www.facebook.com/SevenKingdomsOfficial
https://sevenkingdoms.bigcartel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sevenkingdomsofficial/
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(9 / 10)
