| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Canada |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: |
The Treasure Of The Crucible, the May of 2022 debut full length of the SevenOneSelf ‘one man band’ project of multi-instrumentalist Barry Peters, offers solid production and musical variety in the form of hard rock, classic rock and progressive rock. It stays true to the ‘one man band’ project theme from how Peters handles all aspects of the writing and recording process, including guitars, bass, keyboards, lead vocals, production, mixing and mastering. Yes, a near overwhelming workload and credit deserves afforded anyone taking up such responsibility and achieving creditable results, but as is typical of ‘one man band’ projects, it is not always possible to cover every basis. SevenOneSelf proves no exception from encountering many of the same challenges I see common to ‘one man band’ projects in terms of programmed drums and lead vocals that while ably done, are also not necessarily artist’s main area of expertise.
The Saskatchewan, Canada native and former pastor and Bible camp director grew up trained classically in piano and violin and has been involved in church worship music his entire life. He has also maintained an affinity for guitars, drums and hard music in various forms, noting his favorite artists encompass Stryper, Phil Keaggy, Dream Theater, Neal Morse, Skillet, Theocracy and older Tourniquet and Living Sacrifice. That said, according to Peters press material he ‘purposely toned down the heaviness and grit/edginess of the album to hopefully reach the broader audience of family and friends’, although he goes on to further reinforce how ‘I've always believed that heavier music could be appreciated by a larger audience’ (more on this later).
The SevenOneSelf moniker is unique from the manner in which it is drawn from the Hebrew word for ‘vow’ or ‘promise’ to literally mean ‘seven yourself’ and breaking down into modern language to mean a commitment of obedience and allegiance to Jesus Christ. Eye catching cover art (attributing to Graeme Friesen) correspondingly compares the purifying work of Jesus in our lives to that of precious metals in a crucible.
“A Place Called Paradise” begins the album in quintessential SevenOneSelf fashion in walking a fine line between straight on rock and hard rock but weaving in a light progressive element. The larger than life bass line to start sets the creative tone, underpinning rhythm guitar to taste and intermittent Kansas like fiddle as a distinct melody aligns with the grandiose setting. Artist takes opportune to impart a generous span of lush lead guitar. Lyrics are very well written:
Step by step I trudge along, unknowing where this path will lead me
A stranger in this foreign land, betwixt these things that will betray me
Wandering along this trail, I can't but wish that my journey was over
But as I stumble once again, I hear a Voice say
Come fly with Me, in my Mind, in my Soul
Let's boldly soar to Calvary
And as we view reality the cross stands mightily
And prepares a place called paradise
With acoustic guitar and orchestration to start, “I Hope You Know” impresses as a ballad until hard rock guitars cut in after a minute. The song turns into an emotional – and quite heavy! – slugfest powering ahead, revealed in its snarling low end and refrain imploring of the listener ‘and so, amidst your pain, I hope you know that Jesus loves you’ over a bedrock of unmovable low end. In the end, this is one of albums heaviest and best. Lyric snippet:
She lies there, all alone, and stares off into the day
Tears flowing from her heart, down her face
Memories of the time when she was strong, when she was in control
Now just a daisy wilting away, she wishes she was gone
Once strong, once healthy, now a victim to disease that eats her whole
Her will is dying in her soul
But please remember, don't forget, that Jesus knows your grief
Please accept His love and His peace
“When I’m In Need” mirrors the powerful with its lighter and heavier flavorings. Song maneuvers much of its span to piano, keyboards and rolling drums to align with former, but also elevates when rhythm guitar flows to a forward position in leaning to the latter. A generous melody helps tie either side of the fence together.
Three songs in and it cannot be denied the strong production with everything cleanly mixed, particularly guitar leads and bass with rhythm guitar equally defined. Again, drums are programmed but are very well done in failing to distract, or at the very least sound more natural as opposed to programmed.
Anti-abortion cut “Without A Voice” begins to a montage of radio voices prior to morphing into full on metal with the galloping riffs and stern mentality to match. Variances reveal as it bounds ahead, alternating between weighty verse sections carried by plodding bass and unwavering refrain to see guitar rebound to a place of prominence. Jazz flavored guitar leads take over for the instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
In my cage I see your face, the one that reveals my fate
And I cower from your touch, because I can feel your hate
You cannot know me, you cannot see me, and yet you guide me by your hand
Am I not a man just like you, created by His command
In my cage I see your face as you gas me with your hate
You cannot feel my pain's release, but as you leave you call it peace
And when I'm gone, you speak of love, compassion - and you're the victim?
Deaf to my screams which still remain, crying out ‘you're I nsane’
“Til I Can Walk Again” comes across in the form of a mid-tempo heavy rocker. The acoustic guitar covering the first minute gives way to warmly tinctured rhythm guitar, aligning with a worshipful veneer to prevail its length as Peters highlights his smooth, middle-register vocals.
A six-minute rendition of the classic hymn “My Faith Has Found A Resting Place” ensues, emanating of keyboards and easy going vocals for the verse sections and a bigger guitar presence upon acquiring the immediately recognizable refrain. Interestingly, a lengthy instrumental run contrasts with its intertwining of honky-tonk piano and hard rock riffs.
A three minute ‘radio mix to the song heading in a similar musical direction (but without the extended soloing) closes the album. In the words of the artist, ‘I have quite a few middle-to-elderly family and friends who love the newer versions of hymns but care nothing for heavy metal guitar solos and will listen to the radio edit almost exclusively.’
“All The Rest” maintains the classic rock themes as guitars at times lightly accent (with a wah-wah) feel and others divulge of hard rock. Tempo otherwise is middle of the road, as added fiddle and occasionally tranquil passages lend a darker if not histrionic feel. Another stretch of cleanly mixed leads.
“The Treasure Of The Crucible” is albums second excursion into hard rock territory. Song opens with formidable guitars at the forefront, elevated with its Herculean drum rolls and open distortion but also contrasting with lighter textures found in acoustic guitar lacing the gallant refrain. I continue to be impressed with artists fluidly mixed soloing. Lyric snippet:
This is the treasure of the crucible
This is the gain, this is the glory of bearing the unbearable
This is the purging of resentments and anxiety, of wickedness and vanity
And transforms into beauty what endures
Standing tall amongst all gods & doctrines of this age
Is Jesus Christ, the carpenter and sage, the Son of God is He
The peace & hope, the reward He offers to us is the same
That changed His greatest agony into the grandest victory
“Victory In Jesus”, albums second classic hymn cover, might be technically sound and no way flawed but also leaves impression as a bit derivative. It is mostly acoustic in reinforcing a light Country Western flair in playing up the same impressing melody. Lone complaint is the child voices at the end, which come across somewhat overdone. No, nothing is wrong with the song, but it is also too much of an obvious choice.
As an independent ‘one man band’ project, SevenOneSelf and its debut The Treasure Of The Crucible highlights its share of strengths. Production stands out with a clean mix, particularly the fluid lead guitar and bass, not to mention very ably done programmed drums. Songwriting also separates with an equal joining of classic rock and hard rock mixed with progressive elements. That said, as can be the case with ‘one man band’ projects, artists potentially spreads himself thin in attempting to do everything at once ,with end result a couple skip buttons and vocals that might complement the music but could also have stood out further. Moving forward I encourage Peters to stay the course in terms of musical heading, albeit not to tone down that heaviness in question, while branching out and working with other musicians. Still, as an overall package I cannot help but recommend SevenOneSelf for those into the styles at hand combined with well-written faith based lyrics.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “A Place Called Paradise” (5:15), “Hope You Know” (4:08), “When I’m In Need” (5:00), “Without A Voice” (5:24), “Till I Can Walk Again” (4:21), “My Faith Has Found A Resting Place” (5:45), “All The Rest” (4:28), “The Treasure Of The Crucible” (4:33), “Victory In Jesus” (3:34) “My Faith Has Found A Resting Place” (Radio Edit) (3:08)
