Norwegian Gothic Metallers Sirenia have returned with their seventh studio album rightfully entitled, The Seventh Life Path. Released on May 8, 2015, the record marks the band’s return to Napalm Records for the first time since 2004’s An Elixir for Existence, and it is the follow-up to 2013’s Perils of the Deep Blue, which was under Nuclear Blast. Formed in 2001 by Gothic Metal mastermind Morten Veland, who has showcased his mastery in the nineties with his former band Tristania. Many have been glued to their distinctive sound since 2002’s Sixes and Sevens, especially from the abrasive track “Meridian.” Veland’s songwriting and composition evolved over the years, releasing six solid chart-climbing albums along with receiving worldwide praised reviews. Facing several lineup changes over the years, the latest batch consists of Veland (guitars/vocals), Ailyn (female vocals), Jonathan A. Perez (drums), and Jan Erik Soltvedt (guitar).
Mastering the components of Neoclassical, Gothic, and Symphonic Metal with distorted rhythm guitars, emotive strings, soothing female vocals and male growls and screams, have made them an incomparable act. It has become known to not put them in the same Symphonic category with bands such as Within Temptation, Epica, Nightwish and Xandria. Sirenia has proven to be uniquely designed to stand out on their own, especially with classic Gothic Metal tones. Poetically including perfected melodies and radiating vocals, each track has a distinguished independent blend which has been definitively shown in The Seventh Life Path. It is beautifully written and flows into a musical recipe incorporating subjects on human existence, life, death, and mental instabilities. Guest collaborators on this album include Joakim Næss’s clean male vocals on “Elixir,” Damien Surian (choir), Emilie Bernou (choir), Emmanuelle Zoldan (choir), and Mathieu Landry (choir).
Opening with the introductory track of “Seti” places the listener into a garden of darkness filled with a Requiem-esque spiritual symphony. Magically opening into the realm that these Gothic Metallers do best, one has sailed into the emotional abyss, ready to take the course of the album’s story as tracks continue to unfold. “Serpent” streams in as vocals are eerily heard as the choir ignites along with lavishing guitar riffs that spark into a heavy sensation. Keeping up with intensity as anxious lyrics rolls in, “Death lurks behind every door. Always there, awaiting my fall. Like a serpent he waits in silence. For the moment of full compliance. He yearns for my soul. My anxiety burns inside of me. I know what’s in store. ‘Cause death awaits behind every door.”
Lost in the sea of heartache with “Once My Light,” the listener is taken to an aching track with sorrowful lyrics such as, “The pain is still aching within my mind. I used to love my life, but those times passed by. Now I’m just a prisoner of the night.” Melody moves perfectly well with the depressing vocals as it shifts along with instrumental breakdowns leading one into a foggy haze. Moving into the favorable track “Elixir,” the lyrics continue to flourish in the human mental despair once faced with the harsh mortal realities, “I’m losing my mind. Head for the unknown, the long lost diving. Grand mystery. The riddle of life.” Having a captivating guitar riff that will enchant the listener right from the get-go, this could end up being played on repeat. Perez’s ponderous drumming is one of the key ingredients to the melodic shifts, as differentiated pacing is delivered flawlessly.
Progressing into the longest track of the album, “Sons of the North” brings shivers down to the listener’s spine with a chilling melody that picks up into an instrumental Symphonic Metal glory as growls creep in. Combining Ailyn’s soothing vocals with Veland’s gruelling tones reminds all of the classic Sirenia that many have grown to love. Another favorable track consisting of demonic whispers followed by an exorcism-esque eruption, the pace escalates as though one is welcomed to the gates of darkness. Slowing down has proven to not be an option as “Earendel” rips in on a thunderous note. Keeping the listener on their toes, production quality remains high with the melodic shifts that include a Medieval circus-esque sound midway through as though Ailyn is singing to the heavens in a 1920s Swing movement. This unique tone spirals into a deeper rhythm as the drums and guitar syncs in on a Progressive vibe until its strong closeout.
Sadness flows in exquisitely with “Concealed Disdain,” as the lyrics are spoken in pure honesty with a gruelling tongue, “I can’t stand this life no more. I can’t stand what I’ve become. Wheel of fire, life undone. I’ve always felt so broken. Lost signs and waning tokens. The nameless pain remain unspoken.” Once Ailyn’s vocals glisten in, the track mystically flows along with an immaculate guitar solo that leaps into the spotlight. Digging deeper, Ailyn moves towards an operatic octave that changes the pace once again in delicate despair. “Insania” pans in from ear to ear with lavishing guitar riffs that cut into the core of the listener’s soul. Consistently moving with the impeccable arrangement this album holds, without having a single dull moment, the lyrics once again defines insane thoughts all humans have; “As time pass by. We fade into the endless night. We can’t deny. We’re just mortals awaiting to die.”
Strings chime in during “Contemptuous Quintus” as the melody progresses into an echoing beauty that this slower track has to offer. Flowing along with eerie whispers, intensified growls, and the immaculate choir, the track transpires into a pounding guitar-riffing dramatic finale. As the album comes to a near close with the “The Silver Eye,” which seeps into another Requiem-esque tone, its panicky chorus fills in with a tempo of chaos and doom. Beautifully embracing the poetic finish is the final track ,“Tragedienne.” The saddened theme continues to release, this time, it is as though one has reached out to the heavens as though it is their last resort from feeling trapped with life and making one’s final surrender to the Gods.
Maintaining an outstanding production quality throughout, the eleven track album has been proven to stick with the style and intelligent writing, making it another faultless album. Withstanding its soothing vocals mixed with grunts and howls, their sound bleeds into a masterful Gothic Metal album for all to enjoy. Striving for perfection, where quality has rarely dipped, these masterminds have proven their talents in The Seventh Life Path. CrypticRock.com gives The Seventh Life Path a 5 out of 5 stars.
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