Seventrain
Seventrain
So Cal Records/Alliance Entertainment
2014
San Diego based hard rock band Seventrain first got together in 2012 for a rather sad occasion, the memorial service of renowned local bass player Vincent John Crudo, (otherwise known as “Big Vinnie”). As it turns out they really hit it off and two years later it was time for them to release their debut full length album with the same name. Bearing in mind that the band is comprised of members of 24-7 Spyz, Cage and Tourniquet, one would expect a much more metal sound from them. “Seventrain” revolves around the hard rock sound that was popular during the mid-80s on the sunset strip, combined with the heavy rock mentality of bands like Alterbidge, Audioslave and contemporary Alice In Chains.
It may be argued that Seventrain’s sound may be a bit outdated, but on the other hand a good song will always be a good song. It is more than obvious that these guys know how to write a good song. This fact is crystal clear from the second “Bleeding” (track #1) begins. Heavy and yet groovy guitar work, a steady rocking rhythm section and an emotion-able voice above it all are present throughout the whole recording. In “Seventrain” you have your clear-cut hard/heavy rock jams like “Rays of the Sun”, “Change”, “Trouble”, “Never” and “Cary the Cross”, as well as the softer, melodic and much more emotional “Broken”, “Pain” and “How Does It Fell”. Finally, this record has some of the tightest guitar solos that complement each track perfectly without ever sounding like the guitar player is just showing off. In other words this album has everything you can ask for in a true hard rock album.
The trouble is though that each and every track in “Seventrain” would benefit if they were one minute shorter. It seems that the band fell so much in love with their choruses, that they could not stop themselves from playing them a couple extra times. I don’t blame Seventrain, they do have some pretty catchy and rocking choruses, but I think it would have been much better if they’d left the listener wanting more. But, don’t get me wrong, that’s just a minor thing which in no way ruins the album one bit.
All in all, what we are dealing with here is a tight, enjoyable record that is perfect for every time of the day no matter what mood you’re in. At first, I thought this was a side project and I wondered if we would ever get a second album from Seventrain. As it turns out though, it’s not a side project, it’s a proper band and they’re planning to release a follow-up at some point. Well, this reviewer is looking forward to that.
It may be argued that Seventrain’s sound may be a bit outdated, but on the other hand a good song will always be a good song. It is more than obvious that these guys know how to write a good song. This fact is crystal clear from the second “Bleeding” (track #1) begins. Heavy and yet groovy guitar work, a steady rocking rhythm section and an emotion-able voice above it all are present throughout the whole recording. In “Seventrain” you have your clear-cut hard/heavy rock jams like “Rays of the Sun”, “Change”, “Trouble”, “Never” and “Cary the Cross”, as well as the softer, melodic and much more emotional “Broken”, “Pain” and “How Does It Fell”. Finally, this record has some of the tightest guitar solos that complement each track perfectly without ever sounding like the guitar player is just showing off. In other words this album has everything you can ask for in a true hard rock album.
The trouble is though that each and every track in “Seventrain” would benefit if they were one minute shorter. It seems that the band fell so much in love with their choruses, that they could not stop themselves from playing them a couple extra times. I don’t blame Seventrain, they do have some pretty catchy and rocking choruses, but I think it would have been much better if they’d left the listener wanting more. But, don’t get me wrong, that’s just a minor thing which in no way ruins the album one bit.
All in all, what we are dealing with here is a tight, enjoyable record that is perfect for every time of the day no matter what mood you’re in. At first, I thought this was a side project and I wondered if we would ever get a second album from Seventrain. As it turns out though, it’s not a side project, it’s a proper band and they’re planning to release a follow-up at some point. Well, this reviewer is looking forward to that.