UK metallers Subject Seven never fails to offer up an experience and release which plays with and ignites the senses, eventually working into the passions with generally incendiary results. New album Fall Of The Four is no exception, a release which comes at the listener with a varied expressive presence to captivate the imagination whilst feeding primal needs. It brings ten melodically flaming tracks with equally compelling sinews and muscular intensity veining to its multi-flavoured body and from start to finish leaves a more than healthy satisfaction.
Formed in 2010, the Preston quartet did not stand still waiting for acclaim and interest, taking a mere trio of weeks to record debut EP New Dawn and soon standing as one of the more enterprising and welcomed international touring act, the band playing over 250 shows in their first 2 years leading to their critically acclaimed debut album Seven Rising of 2012. Led by acclaimed Underground Horror Director (Creepsville, Slasher House)and vocalist MJ Dixon, and made up of members of Dennis Delight, Hockey Mask Heroes and Ocean Bend in the shape of guitarist Sam Saint, bassist Jim jam, and drummer Paul Swindells, Subject Seven has continued to earn respect and a devoted fan base through singles like Come Out Tonight, No Fate, and Search The Dark and their additional videos, and their fiery live performances which has seen them alongside bands such as AC/DC, Iced Earth, and TerrorVision. Passionately independent forming their own unique record label and production house Mycho Records which has seen them work with first class acts like Sinnergod, Better Left Alone, Promethium and Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden/Wolfsbane), the band laid down the strongest temptation for their new release with the recent release of the single and video Heart Of Osiris.
It is a persuasion soon cemented by the album which opens with said single. The atmospheric opening drama of the song is pure 
cinematic menace, its tantalising and sinister breath evolving into an electro metal taunting of the ear ripened further by the crisp and potent rhythms and knee staggering riff strikes. Alongside the formidable aggressive provocative the keys continue to wash the ear with evocative and warm caresses whilst the vocals similarly seduce rather than antagonise for a strong and expressive welcome. After listening to the album and in hindsight, the song is maybe not the track we would have chosen to lay an invitation down for the album but there is no denying its imaginative venture with symphonic whispers coating its rising flumes of melodic elegance.
The following You Heard It Here First snaps at the ear with a feistier beckoning whilst again coaxing with melodic invention for a mix of classic and groove metal with a distinct stamp of the band on its vibrant hide. The track is another rise to the album and as third song 14∑E (04U) lights up the ear the sense of it getting better and better as it progresses is strong and proven across its subsequent offerings. This track like its predecessors merges a pleasing electro teasing to its muscular craft and passion bringing essences of Killswitch Engage and Silent Descent into a more hard rock lilted melodically crafted endeavour.
Both Diablo and Celestion enthral with their distinct breaths, the first laying a folky breeze intriguingly upon its contagious and potent grooves and essence developed further by the keys amongst the hungrier riffs and intensity whilst its successor is an enchanting soaking of emotive ambience and sonically kissed melodic beauty. It is a simmering piece of instrumental fire which showcases the impressive craft of the men behind the sound and their songwriting, which at times can be submerged within the infectious call of songs.
From the insatiable virulence of Never Let You Go the album lifts an even greater head of potency and temptress like persuasion, Iblis Trigger taking the lead with its rampant energy and senses caging riffs and rhythmic provocation. The song raises a more attitude driven passion but still allows the melodic strengths and addiction of band and song to have their declaration within its enslaving stature, the guitar laying a narrative of sonic heat within the heart of the track to secure greater attention.
Both To Deth We Ride and Thirteenth Hour stomp with another elevation in fervency, each ridiculously catchy and easy recruiters of listener assistance with invention veined with metallic spirals recalling the likes of Maiden and Dio, whilst closing song The Fall makes for a pleasing and visually inspiring conclusion though the fun hidden track Chinese Vampire has the last enterprising and mischievous say.
The only wish you could have for the release is maybe a more rabid snarl to its confrontation and elements, a growl which actually takes a bite across the length of Fall Of The Four rather than making just suggestions. Nevertheless the album is a richly satisfying and pleasing release which shows exactly why Subject Seven is constantly on the playlist of a great many melodic metal fans.
8/10
RingMaster 13/06/2013
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standing eye to ear with the listener and ready to prey on their weaknesses. Once at its full height the song cages the senses with snappy firm rhythms and a deep throaty bass provocation whilst Ross teases with sharp and fiery melodic twists of sonic enterprise. Now in command it settles into an eager but restrained temptation of flaming guitar, moody bass taunting, and rhythmic caging from the drums, whilst all the while the excellent and expressive tones of Smith drive the lyrical heart and shadows of the song into thoughts and psyche with lethal effect. The track is a primal instigator bringing personal dark corners into play with its own evocative shadows yet at the same time is a deeply satisfying epidemic of infectious invention.
hungry riffs whilst the adjoining bass offers a throat full of snarling temptation. Into its productive and intimidating stride the vocals begin expelling the ‘educational’ narrative whilst the sounds carve out a formidable and infectious course of metal infectiousness with loud whispers of the likes of Trucker Diablo.
the beginning of a compelling and scintillating cruise of voracious energy and thrilling enterprise. The bass and drums are soon commanding the ears, taking them and the senses on a ride of formidable and slightly intimidating mastery whilst laying the canvas for the guitars to imprint their colour rich sonic endeavour and imagination. With vocals which dance across the track with swagger and vibrant expression, and an irresistible groove which ebbs and flows but never leaves the passions alone to take a breath, the song is as virulent as it is impressively crafted and layered with melodic and inventive flames. A mix of Red Fang, Eagles Of Death Metal, and Wildhearts with a breath of classic metal, it is a sizzling voyage of excellence.
Computer Crimes with six new songs and a cover. Initial thoughts were that filling almost half the release with a previous one will disappoint fans but such the strength of those tracks with their new ‘revisited’ arrangements and more so the new compositions, it will be surely merely a passing niggle for most and for newcomers makes the perfect introduction. Produced by the team of Dualized & Eddy Cavazza (Mnemic), Anssi Kippo (Children Of Bodom), and Joonas Koto, the album is an absorbing and enthralling landscape of distinctive melodic metal. At times thoughts of other bands as inspirations make suggestions but Grenouer have a sound which is theirs alone and Blood On The Face a thrilling vehicle to share it through. Formed in 1992 by vocalist Andrey Ind and guitarist Alexander Motor, the Saint Petersburg based quintet have moved far on from their extreme metal origins, the years and releases since then drawing in and embracing a rich and passionate melodic heart to the precisely and inventively crafted songs. This their seventh album, has the opportunity to make a full declaration to the world of their might thanks to the new link up with Mausoleum, and one suspects their rewards will be just as plentiful.
of confident safety before the massive beats and hungry riffs open up their rampage and put the record straight. It is a fire coursing riot, punk hooks and barbs lining the contagious hooks whilst the vocals of John Shields assisted by bassist Ivor Ferris rile up the senses along with the rapacious riffs. It is a song soaked in virulent infectiousness and inventive enterprise which whilst holding no surprises leaves appetite and passions exhausted with big grins on their greedy faces.
