Seventh Avenue - Between The Worlds

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Massacre Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 66:29:00

Classic German heavy metal and another addition to the White Metal brigade.

White Metal is, of course, not Black Metal. :-) White Metal, similar to Stryper and Impellitteri in lyrical content, encompasses positive and an all-belief in God (which is a perfect setting in this generally happy metal album). Now, the band have been around the since 1989 and this is album number five ? including, I believe, an EP but this is the first time that I've heard the band.

With this battle betwixt good and evil, the music does a great job in associating itself with those themes with some absolutely vibrant and positive choruses. The song-writing on here is fantastic with some extremely catchy and heavy songs ? but how does it stack up for the 66 minutes? Pretty well actually, as the songs all vary in length and structure. Vocalist and guitarist Herbie Langhans has a high solid voice that actually reminds me minimally of Chris Klauke (Abraxas) and Piet Sielck (Iron Saviour). But definitely the closest match would actually be Marco Heitala (ex-Sinergy, Nightwish, Tarot). Musically though they compare classically to Helloween which means plenty of similarities to Edguy and Gamma Ray, too, without the epic elements present there. Pinching guitar solos and a heavy vibe abound with plenty of Stryper-led lyrics. Between The Worlds is quite consistent album with touches of brilliance from "Levy Your Soul From Hate" to "Wings Of Dawn" and the album has a veritable positive view on life and that goodliness doesn't come in the form of cheesiness. Hallelujah. [I don't think anyone got that ? Ed].

Produced by Victor Smolski (Rage) there are certain focuses on making the guitars as forward as possible but Herbie has a very strong, upfront voice too so it's nicely balanced on that front. There's also a cover of Survivor's "Burning Heart."

It's a long album for this style of metal topping, and it generally keeps the pace well and doesn't get tiresome. But again, it's very melodic and catchy for those 66 minutes; but if strong metal is your thing then Seventh Avenue delivers admirably.

Similar To: Helloween, Tarot

[This review originally appeared March 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Beyond The Queen / A Step Between The Worlds / Levy Your Soul From Hate / Tale Of The Forgotten Dreams / Angels Eyes / Open Your Mind / Storm Li / Until You Come Again / Wings Of Dawn / Touch Your Love / Burning Heart / One Life Ends

Musicians:
Herbie Langhans - guitars/vocals
Florian Gottsleben - guitars
Geronimo Staens - bass
Mike Pfluger - drums

Discography:
Rainbowland (1995)
Tales Of Tales (1996)
Southgate (1998)
Goodbye (1999)
Between The Worlds (2003)

Genre: Traditional Metal

Origin DE

Added: February 20th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: home.seventh-avenue.de
Hits: 1642
Language: english