Thanks to numerous touring opportunities both here and abroad, Florida power metal band Seven Kingdoms have been steadily rising up the ranks beyond their potent discography. Now aligning with Reigning Phoenix Music, their latest EP offering The Square offers four more original tracks plus another special cover of an 80’s pop classic to keep their followers satisfied as they continually attain new people to the fold. The professionalism in every facet for the quartet assures listeners that experience and confidence will ensure long-term appeal much like many of the seasoned headliners that have influenced them over the years.
The title track begins the record in energetic fashion before traversing a mix of melodic mid-tempo power metal passages where vocalist Sabrina Cruz can rear back into upper register, leather lung melodies in multi-harmony support for the irresistibly catchy chorus. Shifting into a bit more of a mystical, modern Savatage meets Evergrey-like guitar tone on the follow-up “Through These Waves”, the shape shifting double kick / fill action against a solid main groove foundation will have toes tapping as the killer rhythms plus twin harmony / lead break branch offs between Camden Cruz and Kevin Byrd send shockwaves of delight into the aural landscape. 80s synth patches next to melodic hard rock guitar lines conjure up sunshine fueled memories for “Wilted Pieces” – Sabrina once again mesmerizes in her ability to reach for the right notes, scooping up and riding down at key verse / transitional moments to match the reflective chord progressions.
The final original “The Serpent and the Lotus” could be the heaviest offering, another charging effort that contains all the requisite power metal aspects to elicit cheers, screams, or shout-a-long action, including some interesting stutter step guitar/drum action and additional mysterious, robotic vocal effects for dynamic context. “Kyrie” was a number one Billboard hit for Mr. Mister – handled brilliantly by Seven Kingdoms on this release. All the subtle keyboard parts (handled by producer Jim Morris) shine, Sabrina once again tackling a vocal that’s not easy timing wise gracefully, the guitars hitting at the right explosive momentous arrangement needs. The versatility could garner the band that outside the box interest that expands followings beyond the metal community – always necessary for the vitality / longevity of a band that has been around for 17 plus years.
Seven Kingdoms will release their next full-length in late 2025, following more touring excursions in North America and in mainland Europe. For now, The Square serves notice that the band’s power metal foundation contains all the key pop, traditional, and left-field accents to give the group ample opportunity for sustaining their careers. If you haven’t discovered them yet, this would be an ideal time to be a part of the movement.