Band:	Seventh Dimension
Album:	Black Sky
Style:	Progressive metal
Release date:	June 2021

01. Premonition
02. Bad Blood
03. Kill The Fire
04. Resurgence
05. Falling
06. Black Sky: Assembly
07. Black Sky: Into The Void
08. As The Voices Fade
09. Incubus

It is 2021, and hearing so many iconic progressive metal influences on one record feels refreshing. Black Sky is the fourth album from the Stockholm-based classic prog metal outfit known as Seventh Dimension (no relation to Seventh Wonder). These musicians have found the sweet spot that leads them to breeze through their material seemingly effortlessly, impress in the process, and leave you begging for more. They definitely need more exposure, and Black Sky should hopefully allow them to get what they deserve.

Fates Warning may have decided to call it quits but their legacy lives on with Sweden's Seventh Dimension. Singer Nico Lauritsen does sound eerily like Ray Alder at times. Drummer Marcus Thorén has that offbeat hitting down to a science. Bass player Rikard Wallström constantly provides the beat variation with Erik Bauer as the expert atmosphere builder on keyboards. Luca Delle Fave singlehandedly shreds on guitars with his mix of technical prowess and mood-setting melodies that allows him to rival with the best guys in the genre.

I do hear the right amount of that aggressive flavour of Dream Theater on "Bad Blood". Then Luca Delle Fave goes in full Michael Romeo mode on "Kill The Fire" and "Resurgence", which immediately turns those songs into powerful anthems of prog metal equaling the best Symphony X tracks. I hear the best version of Threshold on "Falling" or on "Black Sky: Assembly". The emotional piano intro coupled with voices in the background as well as the subsequent guitar riff on "Black Sky: Into The Void" can only conjure other progressive icons, I am talking of course about Shadow Gallery. The same vibes are recreated on "Incubus", which is the best track in my opinion. There is just an impressive array of hooks, variations, power chords, catchy choruses, and memorable guitar work on Black Sky.

Now, how much does this pure progressive metal formula still resonate in 2021? I would venture to say its hey day is in the distant past. Often the melodies are reminiscent of IQ as well. So yeah, Black Sky might sound a tad retro to most of you. However, if you are looking to recapture the good times at the height of progressive metal, Seventh Dimension's music should most definitely be at the top of your list.

This one is another strong release from a band that definitely deserves more attention. It is progressive music without unneeded technical wankery. Black Sky is a treasure chest full of references that defined the genre. Whereas their previous effort The Corrupted Lullaby was more of an exploratory concept album that took its time through twists and turns, this album is more to the point, more accessible and more well-rounded. Sure, it might be a little outdated in its formula, but if progressive metal is your trip Seventh Dimension do tick all the boxes and throw in a little extra that should keep you thoroughly entertained until the last second.