After a particular prolific & successful year in 2013 for Melodic Metal music from Denmark, with the release of essential albums such as: "Motherland" by PRETTY MAIDS / "If Not The Devil" by FATE / "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" by VOLBEAT / "Through Our Darkest Days" by MERCENARY / "A Life To Die For" by ROYAL HUNT followed closely by ARTILLERY's "Legions" or BLACK SUCCUBI's "Eye Of The Beholder" etc...

In 2014, Danish Realm is providing again a strong contender with the new publishing in physical format of the third SEVEN THORNS Album named "II"? This album unleashed some first class Scandinavian high pace Power Metal ("Queen Of Swords") with strong Neo-Classical influences ("Revelation"/"Justice") enhanced by a few enchanting yet more orthodox Heavy Metal elements ("Redemption") , more subtle and refreshing than the regular contestants ("You're Not Brave") , I detected a certain similarities with early SYMPHONY X/STRATOVARIUS and Y.J.M.'s RISING FORCE ("Eye Of The Storm"), with also some flavors coming from Germany's Power Metal such as GAMMA RAY ("Night Of Temptation") and even a few ICED EARTH overtones as well ("A Jokers Game")... Appetizing isn't it? The bonus track is a courageous ABBA cover song "Mama Mia",  it's obviously a marketing trick but it's also I suppose a real artistic choice, anyway the band deliver a jaw dropping Metallic performance in giving to this legendary Pop track a very sharp edge.

The energy, the fat tasty sound of the electric axe, the dual guitar battle with the keyboards solo interaction in the great RISING FORCE's tradition ("Revelation" / "Justice"), the rhythm section's tight playing, the originality of some song structures, the intense solo selections or the shredding parts in SEVEN THORNS are notable and quite prominent or effective but the real asset of this recording is obviously the new recruit as a young singer with a broad range named Gustav  Blide, very promising indeed.

I think that SEVEN THORNS's new release is an Huge giant step forward, epic, exultant and fascinating but also demanding for the listener and finally rewarding... Easily recommended, and as they said : "Metal is your Destiny"

PS: The Promotional edition released in January 19th 2013, but the definitive and physical edition was released by the German label called Sonic Revolution under Soul Food distribution in February 1st 2014.