A classy and utterly essential debut album.
Formerly known as Citizen Erased - after the Muse song of the same name -this Ontario modern hard rock outfit already has one record to its name in the form of 2009's 'Close Your Eyes' e.p albeit under their former guise. The name change ultimately came as a result of the fact that anyone doing an internet search for the band duly came up with Muse rather than the band Citizen Erased itself and the band felt that a rebirth was necessary in order to move forward.
The debut album has been a long time in the making mainly due to financing problems that have revolved around studio recording costs as well as producer availability, but the wait has been well worth it. Seven Year Riot has undoubtedly come up with one of the albums of 2010. The four songs from the e.p make the final cut ('Close Your Eyes', 'Inner Circle', 'Head Case' and 'Stitched And Mended') together with six others that match up to the high standard of that quartet.
With guitars well up in the mix and an overall aggressive streak running right the way through it courtesy of quite brilliant production from an independent label, Seven Year Riot's debut album sails close to the metal end of alternative rock yet retains enough hooks and melody to appeal to those with a more radio friendly appetite. The knock 'em dead opener 'Victims (Aren't We All)' and old favourite 'Stitched And Mended' open the album in style with a short interlude for the superb ballad 'Autumn Rain' before it's back to the full frontal assault of live staple 'Headcase', the groove of 'Inner Circle' and the crunch of 'Close Your Eyes', all featuring a superb vocal performance from Justin Forsyth. Of the new material on offer the hooky 'World On Fire' and the stunning metal anthem 'Black Wedding Dress' ooze the class and quality that shouts major label.
Undoubtedly that's where this band are heading, as this is as good a modern hard rock album as you are likely to hear in 2010 or any other year. The band has already written songs for the follow up album, and if they are of similar quality to 'The Fall', which they recently played live on a local Ontario radio station, then the follow up should be equally strong. Until then we'll just have to make do with this classy and utterly essential debut album.
www.myspace.com/sevenyearriot
Mike Newdeck
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