SEVENTH SEAL

This band originally named itself Revelation, and was formed in 1985 in Kristiansand, Norway. One listen and it was obvious that the band had been strongly influenced by such artists as Yngwie Malmsteen, MSG, TNT, and modeled after classic twin guitar bands of the 70s and early 80s like. After recording two demos in 1987 and 1988, local radio airplay helped the band get signed to Dutch label CNR. The band changed its name to Seventh Seal and recorded their full length length major label debut July/August, 1988, titled 'Messengers Of Love'. When CNR refused to release it the band's momentum was stopped, but they eventually released it independently in 1990, but not until after they had dissolved the band. Only about 1000 were ever pressed, and inadequately promoted and distributed. This Norwegian metal masterpiece deserved wider exposure, so Retroactive Records released a Limited Edition re-issue of just 1000 more copies June, 2007. Complete with twin guitar attack, guitar solos, and soaring vocals the digitally re-mastered re-issue of this ultra rare 1990 metal obscurity is sure to please metal fans around the globe.

MESSENGERS OF LOVE (1990) LOUD LEVEL

Yet another Christian metal disc I used to own ages ago, but ended up selling at a time I was "cleaning up" in my collection. So many of these albums just didn't pass my little quality test at the time. Since then I've regretted selling most of those albums, and I've been fortunate enough to get almost all of them back. But this album turned out to be a little harder to get back then first expected. This little treat is one of the most rare white metal discs in existence, so I had no luck when I first started to look for it again. Then suddenly my luck changed. I found this website called Rock Of Norway reviewing it. Turns out the guy running this site was also selling his copy of the album! But he wanted 250 NKr for it (that's over $30 US). I was almost prepared to pay that sum when I came across his want list. He was looking for ultra rare Norwegian AOR/hardrock albums, and luckily enough I had one of his wants in my collection. The band is called MissLead, and I picked their CD up brand new for a little over $3!! Now that's a killer trade! So how about the music then? Seventh Seal plays soft metal in the same vain as TNT and Stryper. Their singer sounds very much like TNT's Tony Harnell, only WAY more strained. And this is the reason I parted with this album in the first place. There are places on this album I really can't stand this mans voice. He sounds like he's strangling a cat or something! Then again, some of the songs on the record is really enjoyable. So I'm keeping this CD this time.

Killer tracks: Messengers Of Love, Visions Of Tomorrow, The Calling