Boston’s Seven Spires were never on my radar until 2021, when our illustrious site owner, Erik “The Brave”, gave a glowing review to Gods of Debauchery, the band’s third album.  I loved the album so much, it made my year end list and I went through their back catalog to obtain their two prior full length albums.

I am more of a novice when it comes to symphonic metal.  The music is bombastic and so over the top at times, that I pretty much stayed clear of this genre, until 2021.  This style resonated with me, in 2021, as I was going through a very traumatic time in my life, and for some reason, Seven Spires clicked!  Their emotive nature captured my attention quite a bit, however, the melding of extreme metal genres all cohesively weaved together did it for me.  This band incorporates not only power metal into their style but also death and black metal, with extreme blast beats during many parts of their expansive songs.

For me Gods of Debauchery is still their finest hour; however I am happy to report  A Fortress Called Home, is a very close and I mean very close second.  The lineup intact for years has helped build a very strong band.  The only change to report is with the album recording wrapped up, drummer Chris Dovas, departed, leaving a void.  The band was able to have another drummer fill in for their N. American and European tours over the last few months in order to meet their touring obligations, which is great.  My understanding is they’re still in search of a permanent member.

A Fortress Called Home is yet another long player at 12 songs and over an hour’s worth of music, after the title track opens a short instrumental, the longest track “Songs upon Wine-Stained Tongues”, at close to eight minutes marches forward.  The bombastic and catchy keyboards and music erupt immediately as the song goes for a nice mid-paced speed with Adrienne Cowan erupting with her absolute insane vocals.  Incorporating power metal, symphonic tones, and death metal grunts over those opening blasting sections.  The growing chorus is one of the catchiest the band has ever written with Jack Kosto continuing to showcase his ability at crafting amazing guitar riffs.  Bassist, Peter de Reyna, also lends some backing vocals here and there and there are a plethora of guest vocals all over this album.  Midway through this song are atmospheric moments, guest vocalist, which eventually pair great with Adrienne’s.  The crescendo slowly increases with a lot of power metal influence and some noodly guitar soloing to bring the song to a close.  Excellent opening song choice.  that never feels like it’s long.

“Architect of Creation” is pretty killer, with its symphonic buildup, right before the raging blast beat and Adrienne’s killer scream over this part, before she brings forth her shrieky death metal vocals with a lot of black metal influence too.  I really enjoy bands that bring their back catalog to the present, with their new music, and in the lyrics as well.  Early on in the song naming their debut release their 2014 ep, The Cabaret of Dreams, is quite the clever idea.  The blasting moments are vicious and the chorus is ridiculously catchy, as is the bridge.  I can even see a pit forming at the 3.39 downbeat symphonic groove moment as Adrienne bellows forth some gutturals.  Her isolated guttural parts are also quite killer.  I do notice the punch in, after this moment, with her higher operatic tones.  That is to be expected.  As a singer, I know to do such tone shifts, and make them sound super clean, you do have to do some punch in’s every so often, when recording.  I would like to see how she pulls these moments off in a live setting.  Terrific song, nonetheless.

“Impossible Tower” has such a brooding opening that calls to mind this gothic castle, adorning the album cover, with its gold fillagree border.  Many layered vocals encompass this track as it lumbers more slowly, but is very emotive.  The keys really take center stage as they play such an important role in the rhythm section.  They’re played at times as another guitar and truly shine, throughout, just like their past releases.  The emotive, doomy plodding, atmospheric and over-the-top operatic moments, really showcase the expanse Seven Spires bring to the table in the music realm.

I can go on and on and on about how much I love this album and band.  Yes, I may be new to the table, coming in on their 2021 album, as a fan, but who cares?  The musicianship and production are top notch.  You need a big-sounding production with this immersive style of extreme music.  We get that, once again, on this album.  A Fortress Called Home will most definitely make my year end list.  Seven Spires continues to amaze me with their catchy and emotive songs, as well as blazing fits of brutality sprinkled all over their albums.  Great forward thinking band!!

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