0 comments Posted by Gregor Zimmerman at 8:45 AM


All Hail, Markus Sigfridsson!

This week, we are going to take a look at two albums masterminded by Markus Sigfridsson - guitarist, artist, songwriter, bandleader. Markus lives and breathes melodic metal, and he is able to move between power, symphonic, and progressive metal with ease. He also creates the artwork for his projects, as well as for other bands (Tenement Design). I believe that Markus has a bight future in metal, and that with time, he will become an innovator once he pushes past his influences including Yngwie Malmsteen and Veni Domine.


Harmony

Chapter II: Aftermath (2008)

Band
  • Henrik Båth - Vocals
  • Markus Sigfridsson - Guitars
  • Tobias Enbert - Drums
  • Magnus Holmberg - Keyboards

Overview
Harmony is Markus's main band. With Chapter II, the band's second release, Harmony has moved more into a modern power metal direction. The songs are heavier and more aggressive while still retaining the melodic qualities of their debut. There are neo-classical touches as well, and the album recalls Yngwie Malmsteen's Fire & Ice era. Just a word on artwork before we begin. The artwork on this CD helps create the overall listening atmosphere. Too many bands give their OK for a crappy, amateurish cover that has nothing to do with the music on the album. The artwork for Chapter II: Aftermath compliments the music perfectly. More bands and labels need to follow Harmony's lead.

Featured Songs
  • "Prevail" kicks off the album with a fast-paced rocker. Markus writes some really interesting riffs, and Magnus Holmberg's keyboard playing is a nice counter to the guitar, and he gets a cool keyboard solo about 3 minutes into the song . Whereas some neo-classical bands have the keyboards merely doubling the guitar parts, Harmony achieves nice layering with the guitar and keyboards playing complimenting each other instead of merely echoing each other. I also like the piano at the end, and it sounds like a real piano, not just a keyboard sound.
  • "Kingdom" has an atmospheric synthesizer into that introduces a melodic theme that will be repeated throughout the song. The airy intro makes the guitars sound more aggressive when they kick in. Markus knows how create atmosphere in the songs and build in layers. Tempo changes are also used effectively to build the song. If the songs weren't so straight-forward, you would think you were listening to a progressive rock band. I really like the vocals on this track. Henrik Båth has a very smooth delivery, but he adds grit where needed in the verses. He soars without effort in the choruses.
  • "Weak" begins with a short piano intro, and then the band kicks in with double bass drumming intensity. The piano figure is completed, and Markus shreds a little on guitar. Listening to Harmony is never boring. I find myself going back to the songs to pick out bits of instrumentation that I missed the first time. There is a real chemistry between Markus and Magnus.
  • "I Run" reminds me of the great slower tempo Yngwie tracks like "I Am A Viking," "Devil In Disguise," and "How Many Miles to Babylon." The song has great atmosphere, and the slow pace gives the song a needed heaviness to compliment the lyrics.

Lyrics
Chapter II: The Aftermath is not a concept album, but spiritual warfare is a central theme that runs throughout the lyrics - seeking the Kingdom, fighting evil, and prevailing against darkness.

Conclusion
Listening to Chapter II: The Aftermath is like looking at stained glass. It is easy to appreciate the beauty of it, and with each look, you find something different. The only thing that keeps me from giving this CD a 5 is that it is too smooth. I would like a little more grit, a little more creativity. Nobody could fault the professionalism of the band and the hooks in the songs, but I would like to see them forge more individuality. At this point, their influences show a little too much.
4 Swords Up (out of 5)!




7 Days
The Weight of the World (2006)
  • Markus Sigfridsson (Guitars, Keyboards)
  • Thomas Vikström (Vocals)
  • Andreas Olsson (Bass)
  • Daniel Flores (Drums)
  • Caroline Sigfridsson (guest vocals on "Fall Again")
  • Kaspar Dahlqvist (Keyboard Solos)
Overview
7 Days is Markus's symphonic metal side-project. It features the vocals of Thomas Vikström (ex-Candlemass and Brazen Abbot). With this release, Markus enters an already c rowded genre, competing with Nightwish, Stream of Passion, Epica, After Forever, etc. The Weight of the World holds its own and offers a few suprises.

Featured Songs
  • "Fall Again" is the highlight of the album. Caroline Sigfridsson's voice is very warm and inviting, a contrast to the rather cold vocals of many female singers in this genre. Her vocal interplay with Thomas Vikström is very enjoyable. It's nice to hear a due t between a male and female in this genre without the male vocal being a death metal grunt. I could listen to this song on repeat all day.
  • "Redeemer" is one of the few fast-paced songs on the album and has a Harmony feel to it and would not be out of place on Chapter II: The Aftermath. I really like the guitar lead Markus plays on the intro., and I tend to prefer Thomas Vikström's vocals over those of Henrik Båth (vocalist in Harmony). He has a little more warmth and depth in his voice. He also has an icredible vibratto which is important to this genre. My only criticism for Vikström is that his voice gets thin in the top range.
  • "The Darkest Winter" has a doom metal feel to it, reminiscent of Vikström's former b and, Candlemass. The highlight of the song is the outtro which features Vikström's vocals over acoustic guitar. I wish there had been more of this o n the CD.
  • "Wisdom Calls" is a cover of the Veni Domine classic. It's another doomy sounding song, and I like the clean guitar in the verses. It's nice to hear picked notes and not just strumming.
  • "Confession" is another faster-paced song and is a great song, but it is very Yngwie-esque. In fact, it wouldn't be out of place on his Eclipse album. I like Vikström's vocal melodies here.

Lyrics
The darker side of spirituality is explored on The Weight of the World. Where Markus focsued on spiritual warfare for his power metal project, Harmony, he was able to tap into appropriate material for the more doomy, symphonic metal of 7 Days. Both 7 Days and Harmony have overtly Christian lyrics, and that must be stated. Beyond that, the lyrics aren't forced or cheesy, if not overly original.

Conclusion
I really enjoy listening to 7 Days. There is definitely repeat play value here, but as with Harmony, Markus really brings nothing new to the genre he is playing in. That said, it is a fine example of symphonic metal with doom and goth influences.
4 Swords Up (out of 5)!

 

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