The Progressive Rock formation SEVENTH WONDER hails from Stockholm, Sweden, and has been active since 2000. After releasing some demos in 2001 and 2003, they were picked up by LION MUSIC, who subsequently released their first four albums, knowingly “Become”, “Waiting In The Wings”, “Mercy Falls” and “The Great Escape”. Apparently, they are either no longer available in a legitimate way and/or there is a huge demand for them. I haven’t got a clue as to what the real reason is. What I do know, though, is that their current record company FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL has decided to rerelease all four of them in one go. But then again, that could also be accredited to the fact that the (brilliant) singer on all these albums, Tommy Karevik, is also the current frontman for KAMELOT. What I do know is this; I will be reviewing all but the debut album. So, here we go, with “Waiting In The Wings”, their second album, originally released in 2006.

And I have to tell you up front that in my ears and eyes “Waiting In The Wings” is SEVENTH WONDER’s most proggy album that I will be reviewing. It has the biggest number of elaborate turns and twists, without ever losing sight of the story they are trying to tell. It is hard and heavy when it needs to be, subtle when asked for and soft and intimate at the right times. This could almost be classed as easy listening Prog Rock. In the fifty-five minutes that SEVENTH WONDER are throwing their brand of music at you, you can only enjoy what you are hearing.

The songs are all well written, have a solid body and like I said have more twists and turns than a mountain bike course. Of course there is also some criticism. If there wasn’t, I would have definitely given “Waiting In The Wings” full marks. What I find lacking is the sense of adventure, of trying to live dangerously, of seeing how fast you can go without flying off course. It’s all just that bit too secure for my ears to go wild about “Waiting In The Wings”. But one thing is for sure, SEVENTH WONDER consists of very talented musicians, who know their stuff. I have to admit that I am very much looking forward to what their next album, “Mercy Falls” will show in progression and adventure.