Recent Reviews

November 2023

October 2023

September 2023

August 2023

[ More Music Reviews ]


Seventh Crystal: Wonderland
Seventh Crystal - Wonderland Album Art

Seventh Crystal: Wonderland

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
5.0/5.0

Facebook Instagram
Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 07.03.2023 | Released: 10.03.2023

Wonderland marks the return of Swedish band Seventh Crystal, formed by vocalist Kristian Fyhr. Since the release of their debut album, Delirium, Fyhr has been busy. Also the singer for Perpetual Etude, they dropped their debut, Now Is The Time, five months later that same year. If he didn't have enough on his plate, Fyhr was then tapped by Frontiers Music as a songwriter for label projects.

Seventh Crystal Click For Larger Image

Seventh Crystal

He would establish a second band project, Ginevra (also featuring guitar wizard Magnus Karlsson), which released their debut, We Belong To The Stars, last September. A slight departure from Seventh Crystal, Ginevra tunes turn more upon melodic metal rock. However, all this demonstrates that Fyhr is a versatile songwriter and vocalist.


So then, with Wonderland, we find Fyhr and crew returning to the ways of AOR melodic hard rock. Much the sequel to Delirium, this album features songs that remind of the classic arena rock made famous in the late Seventies through the Eighties. Fyhr's song composition is long on song melody and harmony, essentially revolving around his vocal skills which are exceptional and soaring. Perhaps what makes Fyhr's vocals so impressive is not just his versatility but his musical articulation. He's melodic with clarity in his elocution. Moreover and also, these songs are packed to the brim with twin guitar harmony and epic solos, rock groove from the rhythm section, synth embellishment, and punchy refrains.

Speaking to some songs, it's somewhat of a cliché but with Wonderland, there's not a runt in the litter. This is solid stuff which, again, speaks to Fyhr's skill songwriting. If you can't find some favorites here, then listen again. My highlights include Rodeo, Hollow, and Next Generation, which has a strong pop sensibility. However, the song that displays Fyhr best vocal moment is Higher Ground which, also, has some modern pop rock accessibility. A solid ballad comes with In The Mirror, and Fyhr's soaring voice above piano. Alternatively, My Own Way is a straight up spirited hard rock song.

All said, Seventh Crystal's Wonderland is another solid album of AOR melodic hard rock thanks to Kristian Fyhr's talented songwriting and exceptional vocal skills. Very recommended.



Support the Artist & Dangerdog Music Reviews: This title is available, with unlimited streaming, via an Amazon Music account.


CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft


The Take Away

Seventh Crystal's Wonderland is another solid album of AOR melodic hard rock thanks to Kristian Fyhr's talented songwriting and exceptional vocal skills. Very recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
Album of the Week
Read the Angra: Cycles Of Pain Album Review

We haven't had a new studio album from Brazil's Angra since prior to the COVID pandemic, 2018's Omni. But the quintet has been busy. In 2021, they released Omni Live in Japan where they have a huge fan base ... [ Read More ]

October 2023 Stats
  • Users: 4,930
  • New Users: 4,248
  • Sessions: 11,615
  • Pageviews: 19,354
  • Pages/Session: 3.93

    • Source: Google Analytics