The lyrical sound of heavy metal, with its distinctive vintage tone reminiscent of the magical ’70s classic rock era, owes a great deal to one man: Kyle McNeill. Leaving behind the aggressive style of his early creative years, he became the mastermind behind SEVEN SISTERS from the very beginning of the band and their 2014 demo, “The Warden”.
Based in West London, SEVEN SISTERS have crafted a unique and recognizable sound, primarily built on inspired melodies developed into intelligent progressive forms, blending dynamism, immediacy, and drama. Evolving their style from an enhanced and redefined NWOBHM approach into the sound that made them known and beloved worldwide, they gradually incorporated the uplifting power of power metal, the refined essence of the sophisticated ’70s, and the lyrical and epic qualities of grand concept albums.
The real turning point came after their first two albums, “Seven Sisters” (2016) and “The Cauldron and the Cross” (2018), when the band moved away from the traditional heavy metal revival and ventured into US prog/power territories, seamlessly fusing this with classic British metal elements. This evolution led to the stunning “Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.1” (2021) – a rare beauty of metal!
Four years later, maintaining the same lineup and label, SEVEN SISTERS return with “Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.2” for a triumphant conclusion to their ambitious sci-fi concept, showcasing their talent for combining storytelling with fresh perspectives in heavy metal.
Mastered by Terry Waker (ANGEL WITCH, WYTCH HAZEL, BIRTH) at Tonalex, and staying true to its predecessor’s style while daring to explore new sonic frontiers, “Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.2” is a bold and innovative leap forward for SEVEN SISTERS. The album seamlessly expands upon their signature twin-guitar-driven heavy metal sound while incorporating elements of neoclassical, ambient, and progressive music.
Kyle McNeill (guitar, vocals, synths), Graeme Farmer (guitars), Gaz Martin (bass), and Sammy Christou (drums) deliver a true masterpiece of ingenious metal craftsmanship – mythology and sci-fi, fantasy and cosmic grandeur blend with masterful musicianship and enviable inspiration, resulting in a release that is undoubtedly a strong contender for Best Album of the Year!
“Seven Sisters are one of British Metal’s shining new lights” said Brian Tatler of DIAMOND HEAD; I couldn’t agree more!
Kyle McNeill, the band’s frontman, shares his thoughts on the recording process:
“As is always the case when it comes to recording an album, there’s a leap into the unknown where the songs are stripped back to their bare bones and then fleshed out once again, but with greater care. For the first time as SEVEN SISTERS, we have the same lineup for two consecutive releases. It was also our first ‘stay-in’ studio experience. The temptation to keep everything exactly the same as Pt. 1 was enticing, but the story is a journey, and we wanted to reflect that in the sound. While it is clearly the second half of the story, Pt.2 has its own identity as a record and can stand on its own outside the conceptual arc. The closing song is a 20-minute epic that spans a range of emotions in a musical tapestry, telling the final chapter of the story. It’s everything we feel SEVEN SISTERS is about.”
Opening the album, “Astral Prophecies” immediately captivates and pulls the listener into the whirlwind of musical adventure that SEVEN SISTERS have crafted – an intricate eight-minute track that instantly sets the tone for this new album, expanding their horizons to the farthest reaches! Speed, power, intelligent melodic passages, breathtaking transitions – this opening track has it all!
Following up, “Solar Winds” bursts forth with sharp riffs and intricate rhythmic shifts, showcasing a well-rounded and impressively polished progressive character.
“Heart of the Sun”, the album’s first single, instantly brought to my mind “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” by PINK FLOYD due to its title. But no – psychedelia is not the secret here. Instead, this is a hymn to the twin-guitar attack of McNeill and Farmer, packed with melody and power – simply MAGNIFICENT!
Late ’80s IRON MAIDEN meet WISHBONE ASH’s “Argus”, THIN LIZZY collide with VIRGIN STEELE, and UFO intertwine with CRIMSON GLORY – fans of ENFORCER, ELIMINATOR, WYTCH HAZEL, AMULET and LUNAR SHADOW all have a reason to rejoice!
But if “Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.2” will go down in heavy metal history for one thing, it will be the 20-minute epic “Andromeda Descending (A Fallen Star Rises)”. Beginning with a tension-filled intro, the track soon shifts gears, leading into an elegiac melodic passage after about four and a half minutes, followed by a dramatic rhythmic buildup infused with grand prog elements. Then, halfway through, SEVEN SISTERS unleash their finest form, delivering a furious speed-metal crescendo that left me utterly speechless for three whole minutes! A breathtaking crescendo that transitions through an ethereal synth bridge, leading into the final melody – sweet, dramatic, and majestic – fading away, carrying a sense of eternity…
When the album ended, I found myself frozen in place, breathless, for several moments. Taking off my headphones, I felt an overwhelming urge to stand up and applaud like a madman, alone in my living room!
I didn’t. Instead, I pressed play and started it all over again!
So, what is “Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.2” all about?
It’s heavy metal storytelling at its finest! From the thunderous opener to the breathtaking finale, this is an intricately crafted album that serves as both a celebration of traditional heavy metal and a fresh reimagining of the genre’s boundaries.
My heartfelt congratulations to the band, and a massive THANK YOU!
The stunning artwork, created by renowned UK artist Ryan T. Hancock, perfectly encapsulates the record’s epic scope and adds to the conceptual journey that began with Pt.1.
“Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt.2” will be released on March 28th by Dissonance Productions, in all formats – CD, LP, and digital.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre-order both the CD and LP here.
