Description
Messengers of Love is the sole album by the Norwegian power metal band Seventh Seal, released on Loud Level Records in 1990. The album was produced and recorded July-August 1988 by Jan Egil Løvbak at his Loud Level Studio in Hamar, Norway. The band also released a promotional VHS video featuring two of the album tracks; “God Has The Power” and the power ballad “Sparkling Diamond”. Most songs written by band members Geir Knutsen and Geir Terje Ugland, respectively.
Seventh Seal features Mark Bjorvand on lead and harmony vocals; Geir Knutsen on lead and rhythm guitar (and as well bass on tracks 9 and 12); Geir Terje Ugland on bass (tracks: 1 to 8, 10, 11), lead and rhythm guitar, and background vocals; and Trygve Hansen on drums and percussion. Keyboards provided by guest musician Sjur Lundstein.
Initially under the name Revelation, the power metal band Seventh Seal was founded in Kristiansand, Norway by the talented guitar team of T. Ugland and Geir Knutson. After spending the next several years in rehearsal, the band recruited American born vocalist Mark Bjorvand in early 1987 prior to recording its first demo tape and making its debut live performance the summer of the same year. A second demo was put together in the spring of 1988 with the resulting airplay leading to a contract with the Dutch label CNR. However, when it was discovered another band on the label was also using the moniker Revelation a permanent name change was made to Seventh Seal. The band proceeded to record its full length debut, ‘Messengers of Love’, in July/August 1988 at Loud Level Studios in Hamar, Norway but CNR, for reasons unknown, refused to release the album. Undaunted, Seventh Seal pressed on and continued to play live shows until the summer of 1989 when the studio decided to put out the album on its own label, Loud Level Records, a year later. By this time Seventh Seal had broken up, and the subsequent release of ‘Messengers of Love’ received little in the way of promotion with only 1000 copies being pressed.
Seventh Seal, as one would expect, reflects the musical trends of the decade it came out of, combining elements of melodic metal, melodic rock and neo-classical metal to create a sound certain to appeal to fans of other Northern European bands such as Leviticus, Motherlode, Emotion and TNT. Yngwie Malmsteen and MSG must be mentioned as well along with Stryper, Dokken, Siloam, Holy Soldier and Impellitteri. The influence of the previously mentioned acts can be found in up-tempo numbers such as the hook driven «Messengers Of Love», the edgy «God Has The Power» and «Free» (a song that has Stryper written all over it) in addition to the neo-classical flavorings of «Visions Of Tomorrow» (a stunning piece), the catchy «Break Out» and album closer «The Calling». Some of the finest moments to Messengers of Love, nevertheless, take place on its ballads in that «Your Love», «Sparkling Diamond» and «Eternal Love» all stand out with notable melodies.
The talent level of Seventh Seal is without question. Vocalist Mark Bjorvand, with his high end and classic tenor lead vocal style, is a near dead ringer for Sonny Larsson (Motherlode, XT). Other accurate comparisons might be Lee Guthrie (Siloam), Tony Harnell (TNT) or even Mikael Lagermo (Emotion). In the end, what we have is a guy with near unlimited range who cuts loose with more than his fair share of high pitched falsettos. And that is a very good thing. Guitarists Geir T. Ugland and Geir Knutson bring the same high level of ability. When listening to the dual lead work of the two on «Messengers Of Love», «God Has The Power», «Visions Of Tomorrow» and others I am reminded of Malmsteen, Chris Impellitteri, Rex Carroll (Whitecross) and Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia). Yes, the quality is that high.
Production values are competent but would have improved with an element of big budget polish. No, nothing that will detract from your listening experience, but I cannot help but think things could have been beefed up in places (such as the albums low end). Obviously a low budget project, my overall feeling is that I am thankful to have the opportunity to hear this for the first time. Messengers Of Love proves a very bold and upfront Christian effort with a lyrical direction capturing the spirit of the White Metal movement that got its start in the mid-eighties. [Andrew Rockwell, Angelic Warlord]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/messengers-of-love/264623416)
CD tracklist:
01. Messengers Of Love – 5:00
02. Fantasy – 2:13
03. Revelation – God Has The Power – 4:46
04. Your Love – 6:00
05. Free – 3:22
06. Sparkling Diamond – 4:21
07. The Seventh Seal – 1:28
08. Visions Of Tomorrow – 4:22
09. Born Again – 4:40
10. Break Out – 4:39
11. Eternal Love – 3:58
12. The Calling – 4:41
Note: Originally released on cassette and CD only. Digitally remastered by Rob Colwell and re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records in 2007.
Seventh Seal (L-R): Geir Terje Ugland, Trygve Hansen, Mark Bjorvand, Geir Knutsen.
“God Has The Power” (MUSIC VIDEO)
“Sparkling Diamond” (MUSIC VIDEO)
CREDITS. Produced by Jan Egil Løvbak. Recorded at Loud Level Studio in Hamar, Norway.
Musicians: Mark Bjorvand (Lead Vocals), Geir Terje Ugland (Guitars & Bass), Geir Knutsen (Guitars & Bass), Trygve Hansen (Drums). Guest Musician: Sjur Lundstein (Keyboards).
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