Seventh Wonder is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 2000.
Seventh Wonder | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
Genres | Progressive metal, power metal |
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | Lion Music (2004–2016) Frontiers (2016–present) |
Members | Andreas Blomqvist Johan Liefvendahl Andreas "Kyrt" Söderin Stefan Norgren |
Past members | Tommy Karevik Johnny Sandin Andi Kravljaca Ola Halén |
Website | Seventhwonder.se |
History
editSeventh Wonder was formed in 2000 by bass player Andreas Blomqvist, guitarist Johan Liefvendahl and drummer Johnny Sandin after their previous band fell apart. Their music started to develop in the direction of progressive metal and as the band was joined by keyboard player Andreas Kyrt Söderin late 2000, the new sound was cemented further.[1] Two demos were recorded, the first in 2001 (Seventh Wonder) and the second in 2003 (Temple In The Storm).
Many singers have come and gone in Seventh Wonder over the years, among others Ola Halén of power metal band Insania Sthlm. The longest lasting member in the past was Andi Kravljaca (ex: Heave, Elsesphere, now Silent Call), and it was with Kravljaca at the microphone that the band recorded their debut album Become (released in 2005), after landing a record deal with Finland's Lion Music. Prior to the release of Become in 2005, Tommy Karevik joined the band. Become was well received by the press. However, the band and Andi decided to part ways shortly after the recording process had ended and once more the search for a singer started.
The next album, entitled Waiting in the Wings, was recorded in 2006 and was mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen. Waiting in the Wings got even better reviews than Become did, scoring multiple top scores of 10 out of 10.[2][3][4][5]
2007 was a year of writing new material and playing live. During 2007 Seventh Wonder played in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, England and the Netherlands together with acts such as Jorn Lande, Pagan's Mind, Queensryche, Testament, Sun Caged and Redemption. In August 2007 the band parted ways with Intromental Management, but continued to work with Lion Music.
Seventh Wonder released their next album, Mercy Falls, on 12 September 2008. It is a concept album about a man who drops into a coma after a car crash and dreams of a place called Mercy Falls, while his family tries in vain to wake him from his sleep. In December 2009, they began writing material for The Great Escape. They entered the studio in April 2010, and posted regular updates on their official forum and YouTube channel.[6] The album The Great Escape was released on 3 December 2010, and was very well received by fans and critics.[citation needed]
Before the release of the album, drummer Johnny Sandin quit the band for private reasons.[7] On 25 April 2011, Seventh wonder announced that Stefan Norgren had replaced Sandin as the band's drummer. In June 2012, Tommy Karevik was announced as Kamelot's new singer, but stated that he has no intention of leaving Seventh Wonder.[8]
On 7 September 2013 the band announced they would be recording a live DVD at 2014 ProgPower USA Festival, performing songs from their album Mercy Falls in its entirety for the first and final time.[9] In 2016, the band signed with Italian record company Frontiers Records to release the live CD/DVD called Welcome To Atlanta Live 2014 on 23 September 2016 and also a new studio album that is expected to be released in 2018.[10] On 28 October 2017, the band announced through their Facebook that the album would be titled Tiara.[11] The album was released on 12 October 2018.
On 16 March 2022, the band announced their new album The Testament would be released on 10 June.[12] Following the release of the album, Karevik announced his departure from the band on 12 June 2023.[13]
Members
editCurrent
edit- Andreas Blomqvist – bass (2000–present)
- Johan Liefvendahl – guitar (2000–present)
- Andreas "Kyrt" Söderin – keyboard (2000[1]–present)
- Stefan Norgren – drums (2011–present)
Former
edit- Johnny Sandin – drums (2000–2010[14])
- Ola Halén – vocals (2001[15]–2002[16])
- Andi Kravljaca – vocals (2002[16]–2005[17])
- Tommy Karevik – vocals (2005–2023)[1]
Timeline
editDiscography
editStudio albums
edit- Become (2005)
- Waiting in the Wings (2006)
- Mercy Falls (2008)
- The Great Escape (2010)
- Tiara (2018)
- The Testament (2022)
Live albums
edit- Welcome to Atlanta Live 2014 (2016)
Demos
edit- Seventh Wonder (2001)
- Temple in the Storm (2003)
Singles
edit- Tiara (Acoustic) (2019)
- Warriors (2022)
References
edit- ^ a b c "Seventh Wonder - BAND". Official Seventh Wonder Website. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ "Review by "Progressor.net"". Progressor.net. 10 November 2006.
- ^ "Review by "TreeHouse of Death"". Treehouseofdeath.com. 14 February 2007.
- ^ "Review by "Prognaut"". Geocities.com. 10 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Review by "Living For Metal"". 18 October 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-03-17.
- ^ "SEVENTH WONDER - THE OFFICIAL SITE - MAIN". August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009.
- ^ "Johnny Sandin leaves Seventh Wonder". Ultimatemetal.com.
- ^ "Tommy Karevik explains "Haven" lyrical concept". Kamelot.com. August 24, 2015.
- ^ "Seventh Wonder announce their special set at PPUSA 2014". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "KAMELOT Singer's SEVENTH WONDER To Release 'Welcome To Atlanta Live 2014' In September". Blabbermouth.net. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Dear friends". Facebook.com. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ "SEVENTH WONDER – New Album The Testament Out In June; Cover Art Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Tommy Karevik Quits Seventh Wonder". Blabbermouth.net. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Johnny Sandin leaves Seventh Wonder". Ultimatemetal.com. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ "MusicMight :: Artists :: SEVENTH WONDER". Musicmight.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Seventh Wonder". Archived from the original on 12 December 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ "Seventh Wonder". Seventhwonder.nu. Archived from the original on 10 February 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
External links
edit- Official Website
- Official MySpace
- Seventh Wonder discography at Discogs
- Waiting in the Wings review - Sea Of Tranquility.
- "SW´s new drummer! Here he is". Ultimatemetal.com.