CITY OF THE SUN

Norway seems to be churning out the bands these days and SEVEN IMPALE is another new band who have received a lot of adoration by Prog fans world-wide. In fact on PA here their "City Of The Sun" album was voted the third best recording of 2014 which is very impressive. I almost feel like I have to explain why i'm not giving this five stars despite being very impressed with it overall. For me it's the blasting sax. And it's not that it turns me off per se but it just really isn't my thing. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is an example of blasting horns and while I appreciate that track and gave the album 5 stars that song just doesn't resonate with me. And I love horns too but just not the blasting style. Okay I think i've made my point. Just my tastes that's all.

This is a six piece band with two guitarists, one being the vocalist along with bass, drums, keyboards and sax. They are a young band with varied influences who have come up with a beauty here in "City Of The Sun" which is a great title, and I dig the album art as well. They really do the bombast versus mellow sections really well and I have to say the final track "God Left Us For A Black-Dressed Woman" has to be one of the best songs of 2014.

"Oh, My Gravity!" opens with the sax gently honking as other instruments join in gradually. It settles in after a minute then builds in intensity. A change follows as we get a guitar/keyboard section before the vocals, drums and sax return. A calm 4 minutes in as the vocals and a mellow sound take over including organ. It kicks back in and man this is intense. The sax is blasting again then we get some ripping guitar after 6 minutes. A killer instrumental section arrives 7 minutes in and vocals return a minute later. Some great sounding sax before 9 minutes. "Wind Shears" opens with a relaxed sound as reserved vocals join in. I really like this. Sax and a jazzy sound arrive as the vocals step aside. Vocals are back before 3 minutes then they stop as it kicks into gear heavily. Another calm arrives as contrasts continue.

"Eschaton Horo" opens with keyboards that are followed quickly by a full sound. A calm a minute in as fragile vocals join in. Some lazy sax excursions before 2 minutes as it stays mellow. By the 3 minute mark the intensity kicks in as we get outbursts of power. It turns even heavier before 5 minutes and there's some cool sounding guitar here. It all stops as the band yells at 6 minutes then it kicks back in. Another calm from 7 minutes to the end. "Extraction" is fairly bluesy and we get an all out blitz early on with drums, guitar and organ leading the way. It settles back as the sax arrives then these passionate vocals almost shout the lyrics as the music becomes more powerful. It settles back again as the vocals continue but in a more laid back fashion. Themes are repeated.

"God Left Us For A Black-Dressed Woman" is my favourite track and it's almost 15 minutes in length. Picked guitar to start as the sax and liquid keys take over. Drums and more follow. I love the deep sounds before 2 minutes then it starts to pick up. So good. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals arrive. Man this is good. Then the tempo and mood begins to shift at will. An experimental section arrives before 7 1/2 minutes then we get outbursts of power until it calms right down with sax and more. Reserved vocals are back. It's heavy again at 9 1/2 minutes before it settles in with vocals. Love the keyboards and guitar. It's so uplifting 13 minutes in then we get a big finish.

A very solid 4 stars and the future certainly is very bright for this young band.