We were greatly surprised by SEVEN RAVENS debut album two years ago, now the stellar classic hard rock combo are back with new album titled “After The Storm“.
SEVEN RAVENS is the project songwriter Scott Bazzett & guitarist James LePak. The pair have been writing songs together since back in the late ’80s. Over the years they have moved on (both geographically to other states, and in life, to other careers), but kept in touch and kept writing together.
Originally, Bazzett sent tapes back and forth through the mail, and as technology improved, they were eventually able to share files online. All together, the two have collaborated on over 100 recordings to date: Bazzett writing lyrics and vocal melodies and James playing the guitars and working out song architecture. Finally, in 2020, they called some of the best in the business to record their debut album.
“After The Storm” repeats the all-star line up and some joined: lead vocalist Michael Bormann (Jaded Heart, Bonfire, Silent Force), bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), bassist Donnie Van Stavern (Riot, Alcatrazz), drummer Bobby Jarzombek (Riot, Rob Halford, Sebastian Bach), drummer Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley, Black Swan), and drummer Kevin Soffera (Seether, Breaking Benjamin).
Add to that songwriting contributions / arrangements from Mats Leven, Billy Sheehan, Pete Newdeck (Midnite City, Nitrate), and mastering by Harem Scarem’s Harry Hess and you have a very strong hard rock album here!
This is a big sounding hard rock record, in the traditional American sense, Bormann singing like the legend he is, but the album is founded on a huge guitar sound and a really tough production, putting it into the quality of material a major artist might be proud of.
The songs aren’t necessarily instant, but they are there, and repeated listens uncover those layers and melodies and also unlock so much more riffing. This is a record for fans of classic Dokken and heavier Jaded Heart, with all bases covered as far as production, mix and and mastering.
You can’t go wrong with these cats: world class musicians and rocking melodic songs in the classic hard rock vein akin the ’80s, balanced with a few more modern, groovier numbers.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
01. Deja Vu (4:59)
02. Letting Go (5:13)
03. Feels Like Home (5:24)
04. Nevermore (5:29)
05. Mudslide (4:33)
06. Blue Skies (5:28)
07. T.K.O. (5:33)
08. Higher Ground (4:55)
09. The Bitter End (4:14)
10. After the Storm (4:55)
11. The Blind (5:03)
12. The Downfall (4:54)
13. Blood in the Water (4:20)
Line Up:
vocalist - Michael Bormann (Jaded Heart, Bonfire, Silent Force)
bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder)
bassist Donnie Van Stavern (Riot, Alcatrazz)
drummer Bobby Jarzombek (Riot, Rob Halford, Sebastian Bach)
drummer Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley, Black Swan)
drummer Kevin Soffera (Seether, Breaking Benjamin)
guitarist James Lepak
Seven Ravens [Michael Bormann ] – After the Storm (2023), MP3+FLAC
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