| Musical Style: Power/Progressive Metal | Produced By: John Greely |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: Seventh Servant |
| Tracks: 7 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 59:22 |
The Christian hard music scene is no stranger to Book of Revelation themed concept albums. Saviour Machine was first to get in on the act with its ‘Legend Series’ - better known as the ‘unofficial soundtrack to the end of the world’ - in which End Times Biblical prophecy formed the basis for a trilogy of Gothic rock releases, Legend I (1997), Legend II (1998) and Legend 111:1 (2001). Classic metal act Saint was next in line with its aptly entitled 2011 album The Revelation, while multi-instrumentalist Nick Leonard followed ten years later with the joining of doom metal and the Gothic for his every bit duly named solo offering Revelation. Latest group to continue the Revelation themed trend is Seventh Servant and its September of 2022 Roxx Records two CD set (one vocal and second instrumental) The Tree of Life.
Seventh Servant is the project of veteran vocalist and guitarist John Greely, whom gained initial renown from having fronted 1991 Iced Earth sophomore album Night Of The Stormrider. Greely founded Seventh Servant in 2006 but did not release until 2012 the groups debut 2-song EP The Benediction to see him join forces with bassist Ginger Sizemore and drummer Shawn Walker. Subsequent to recruiting lead guitarist Miah Lajeunesse and pianist Marinos Tokas, Greely returned to the studio to complete work on The Tree Of Life and realize his goal to ‘bring the Book of Revelation to life in a way that you have never heard it before’ (noting the groups press material).
The Tree Of Life proves successful in this regard by lyrically drawing upon Biblical text taken from the Book of Revelation, specifically its first three chapters. Further building upon this is the Seventh Servant penchant for progressive metal (song times average six to eight minutes and top off at sixteen) but laced with strong hints of classic US and Euro power metal, which proves the perfect vehicle to communicate such sublime and apocalyptic themes.
Album opens to one of its shorter power metal based cuts in the four and half-minute “Revelation”. Separating at once is the layered production, emphasizing larger than life drums alongside sizable guitars and pristine keyboards not to mention artist’s deeply resounding and fully complementary mid-ranged vocal qualities. Song otherwise trends the mid-tempo with an imposing and darkly woven demeanor setting the stage for the eminent moments to succeed. Lyric snippet:
The Revelation
Of Jesus Christ
Which God gave him
To show his servants
Things which must
Shortly take place
And He sent and
Signified it
“The Almighty One”, at just below six minutes, also points towards power metal. It ups tempo in comparison with a heightened disposition found in symphonic keyboards and added double kick drum in addition to the brisk ‘the Almighty, the Almighty One’ refrain. Lajeunesse highlights the instrumental moments with his classically influenced lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
I John both your brother and companion
In the tribulation and kingdom
And patience
Of Jesus Christ
Was on the island that is called Patmos
For the word of God
And for the testimony of Jesus Christ
Eight minutes “Forevermore” begins the trend in a progressive direction. A decided European influence manifests, realized in choral keyboards and intricate melody that has Theocracy written all over it, but also a technical veneer, referencing the in-depth timekeeping to Walker and manifest riffing that brings to mind mid-period Deliverance. Again, the group shines musicianship wise throughout the numerous instrumental interludes. Lyric snippet:
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me
And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands
And in the midst of the seven golden lampstands
One like the Son of Man
Clothed with a garment
Down to the feet
And girded about the chest
With a golden band
His head and hair were white like wool as white as snow
And His eyes like a flame of fire
Albums title track impresses as a power and progressive metal hybrid. “The Tree Of Life” transitions its length between slower moments to reach for the doom like and others elevated in a forward position to galloping riffs and heightened proclivity, all the while varied instrumental moments separate including the final minute and half to see Sizemore’s lively bass move to the front of the mix. Equally laudable is how Greely lowers his delivery in ominous fashion with some gritty and gravel to approach the extreme. Lyric snippet:
He who has an ear
Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches
To him who overcomes
I will give to eat from the tree of life
Which is in the midst of the Paradise of God
Further progressive leanings manifest on the seven and half-minute “Whitestone” and the eight and half-minute “Jezebel”. Former divulges of a rousing mid-tempo flair with a touch of Symphony X, dark and symphonic with its nebulous landscape, but also that of Narnia, accessible from standpoint of the prevailing hooks and catchy riffs to dominate. Latter features a guest vocal appearance from another former Iced Earth front man Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (noting his work on 2004 release The Glorious Burden), who brings an expansive, higher end aura to trade off with Greely’s lower register form on a perseverant number aligning a bottom heavy quality with imposing a refrain you will find. Lyric snippet:
And I will give him a white stone
And on the stone a new name
Written which no one knows
Except for him who receives it
Whitestone
As I also have received
From My Father
And I will give him the morning star
The morning star
He who has an ear
Let him hear what the Spirit says
What the spirit says
Jezebel
The Tree Of Life reaches its apex on sixteen-minute magnum opus “Open Door”. It brings to mind twenty minute Veni Domine epic “The Chronicle Of The Seven Seals” (off Fall Babylon Fall from 1992), which details events from Revelation chapters 5, 6 and 8. Yes, completely separate eras and somewhat differing musical styles - operatic progressive doom metal far as Veni Domine are concerned - but also similar lyrical themes. As a big progressive music fan, either song is right up my alley in bringing the variances in time and tempo, sweeping instrumental excursions and abundant creativity to rank with my favorite album cuts either way. Lyric snippet:
Because you have kept my command to persevere
I also will keep you
From the hour of trial
Which shall come upon the whole world
To test those who dwell in the earth
Behold I am coming quickly
Hold fast what you have that no one
May take your crown
He who overcomes
I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God
And he shall go out no more
And I will write on him the name of My God
And the name of the city of My God
“Dialogismos” closes the album as a brief (two minute) acoustic guitar driven instrumental.
I take to Seventh Servant debut full length The Tree Of Life as both a follower of progressive music and concept albums. Playing key roles in this regard is not just the technically intricate songwriting and Book of Revelation lyrical themes, but also the top-notch musicianship and stellar production. It would be an understatement to suggest the album is well worth the fifteen-year wait. In looking forward to subsequent releases from Seventh Servant, I hope the group puts out a series of albums covering the remaining chapters in Revelation. I would also encourage Seventh Servant to continue to bring in guest vocalists to turn any forthcoming project into a metal-rock opera style release when factoring the nature of the dramatic topic in question.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Revelation” (4:39), “The Almighty One” (5:49), “Forevermore” (7:58), “Tree Of Life” (6:41), “Whitestone” (7:26), “Jezebel” (8:39), “Open Door” (16:03), “Dialogismos” (2:15)
Musicians
John Greely - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Miah Lajeunesse - Guitars
Marinos Tokas - Piano & Orchestration
Ginger Sizemore - Bass
Shawn Walker - Drums
Additional Musicians
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens - Lead Vocals
Jonah Weingarten - Keyboards
