Seventh Calling Prelude to Madness
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Prelude to Madness is the second EP in as many years from Minneapolis-based traditional metal band Seventh Calling. It follows their 2007 full-length debut Monuments and the 2008 EP Excerpts from Deliverance. The band cites Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Testament and Wolf as influences, and that’s apparent in their uncomplicated, uncompromised heavy metal sound. The band most likely to come to mind when listening to these powerful, thrashing songs, though, is Vicious Rumors. The guitar riffs recall vintage thrash, as do the dark, brooding lyrics, but there’s plenty of power and just enough melody to make the songs accessible. Steve Handel’s powerful vocal performance is another real asset. Bands like Vicious Rumors and Helstar pioneered this kind of power thrash in the ’80s, and Seventh Calling is taking it into the new era.
The only real drawback of Prelude to Madness is its all too brief running time. The three songs on this EP total just over 12 minutes, so the disc ends just when you start getting a feel for the band’s sound and really enjoying the music. Another song or two, maybe a cover (this band would totally nail the Vicious Rumors song “World Church” and would probably do a great Helstar cover as well) and Prelude to Madness would feel a bit more well-rounded. Brief though it may be, the Prelude to Madness EP does offer a few multimedia extras to help seal the deal, including a video clip for “Blood Of the Divine” and an MP3 sampler of other Heaven and Hell Records artists.
If you’re a fan of traditional heavy metal, you’ll definitely want to check out Seventh Calling. Prelude to Madness may not offer much bang for the buck, but it’s still a great introduction to a band that has the potential to be the standard bearer for traditional metal in the US.
Label: Heaven and Hell Records
Track Listing:
1. Deliverance
2. Blood Of the Divine
3. Lost
Lineup:
Steve Handel – Lead Vocals/Guitar
Alex Ritchey – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Shannon Frye – Drums/Backing Vocals
Marc Flores – Bass
Online: www.seventhcalling.com
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10