Seventh Angel
Seventh Angel formed back in 1987 by Vocalist-Ian Arkley and Drummer-Andrew Blount and is a British Metal band known for combining elements of both Doom and Thrash Metal. With a band name like Seventh Angel, one has to wonder where the band takes the idea for their moniker from. Track 9 - "Seven Angels" gives up some clues that lead us to the apocalyptic book of Revelation in the Bible:
"17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. 21 And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe."
Seventh Angel is no new comer to the Metal scene with 3-demos, 3-albums, and 2-compilations to their credit. In 1989 the band released 2 demos - 'Seventh Angel'(Red demo) & 'The Rehearsal Demo'. In 1990 S.A. released a third demo titled 'Heed The Warning' and followed it up in the same year with their debut full-length release titled 'The Torment' on Edge Records. In 1991 the band released their sophomore full-length album titled 'Lament For The Weary' also on Edge Records. In 2005 the band released a mostly live compilation of their demos titled 'Heed The Warning Live & Demo Recordings'. In 2009 Seventh Angel released their third full-length album titled 'The Dust Of Years'. Then in 2017 the band released another demo compilation titled 'Seventh Angel Demo Collection'.
The following are 3 of the band's demos along with their tracks:
1989
Seventh Angel(Red Demo) 1989 - self produced
1. Heed the Warning05:19
2. In the Name of Christ We Rock03:48
3. Betrayer05:43
Total playing time14:50
1. Heed the Warning05:19
2. In the Name of Christ We Rock03:48
3. Betrayer05:43
Total playing time14:50
1989
The Rehearsal Demo 1989 - self produced
1. Dr. Hatchet
2. Divine Takeover
3. Betrayer
4. Locked Up In Chains
1. Dr. Hatchet
2. Divine Takeover
3. Betrayer
4. Locked Up In Chains
1990
Heed The Warning Demo 1990 - self produced
1. Forbidden Desires04:07
2. Seven Angels06:31
3. I of the Needle05:30
4. Heed the Warning05:29
Total playing time21:37
1. Forbidden Desires04:07
2. Seven Angels06:31
3. I of the Needle05:30
4. Heed the Warning05:29
Total playing time21:37
2017
In 2017 Rectroactive Records released a compilation of Seventh Angel's demos titled 'Seventh Angel Demo Collection'. Bombworks Records helped out by contacting frontman - Ian Arkley and persistently insisting that he release these Classic Thrash demos. Over time, Ian relented and released the demos to the cheers of Classic Thrashers around the world. These demos have been remastered by Jeff Mortimer and come Packaged in an 8 panel, full color digipak release. Most of this musical collection has never been available to the public before.
The following is the breakdown of the tracks found in this demo collection and which demo they were originally from:
Red Demo-1 "Heed The Warning" 5:23, 2 "In The Name Of Christ We Rock" 3:51, 3 "Betrayer" 5:44
Rehearsal Demo-4 "Dr. Hatchet" 4:50, 5 "Divine Takeover" 3:44, 6 "Betrayer" 5:57, 7 "Locked Up In Chains" 4:50
Heed The Warning Demo-8 "Forbidden Desires" 4:04, 9 "Seven Angels Parts I And II" 6:25, 10 "I Of The Needle" 5:24, 11 "Heed The Warning" 5:24
Dust Of Years Demo-12 'Lamentations" 7:57, 13 "The Turning Tide"
The following is the breakdown of the tracks found in this demo collection and which demo they were originally from:
Red Demo-1 "Heed The Warning" 5:23, 2 "In The Name Of Christ We Rock" 3:51, 3 "Betrayer" 5:44
Rehearsal Demo-4 "Dr. Hatchet" 4:50, 5 "Divine Takeover" 3:44, 6 "Betrayer" 5:57, 7 "Locked Up In Chains" 4:50
Heed The Warning Demo-8 "Forbidden Desires" 4:04, 9 "Seven Angels Parts I And II" 6:25, 10 "I Of The Needle" 5:24, 11 "Heed The Warning" 5:24
Dust Of Years Demo-12 'Lamentations" 7:57, 13 "The Turning Tide"
When one considers the more recent releases by Seventh Angel, maybe it's easy to quickly dismiss the bands work if your not into brutal Vocals. However, these early offerings, for the most part, are arranged with clean understandable vocals by frontman Ian Arkley and will easily appeal to the Classic Thrash Metal fan. However, on a few tracks there are some light Death Vocals that emerge drawing comparison to renowned vocalist-Scott Waters(Ultimatum).
The guitar work is heavy - moving in and out between melodic 80's styles to Speed Metal to Thrash to ambient Doom play. With such varied technical guitar shredn', the guitarists hold the listener's attention and draw one back for repeat listens.
Props to Bombworks Records for the track by track placement because as I listen to this collection, the arrangements just get heavier and heavier . By track 13 there's already a proper mosh erupting on the scene. However, by this time it's too late because the album has you by the ankles and is slamming and thrashing you on the floor so violently that you find yourself screaming for help like a little girl.
"Seven Angels"
In heaven I saw a sign, a great and marvelous sign
7 Angels with the 7 last plagues
With them, God wrath is completed
7 Angels with the 7 last plagues
I saw what looked like a sea
Glass mixed with fire, standing by the sea
O'er the beast, His image, the number of His name
All those present know victory
Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty
Just and true are your ways, king of the ages
Holdings harps given by God singing the song of Moses
Moses the servant of our God and the song of the lamb
Who will not fear You O Lord and bring glory to Your name
For You alone are holy, all nations will come
They will worship before you, your
righteous acts have been revealed
After this, I looked and in heaven the temple was opened
(The tabernacle of the testimony) out of the temple came the 7 angels
with the 7 plagues, they were dressed in clean shining linen and wore
golden sashes around their chest, then one of the four living churches
gave to the 7 angels, golden bowls filled with Gods wraths (He
lives forever and ever) the temple was filled with the smoke from the
glory of God (and from his power) no one could enter temple until
the 7 plagues of the 7 angels were completed.
In heaven I saw a sign, a great and marvelous sign
7 Angels with the 7 last plagues
With them, God wrath is completed
7 Angels with the 7 last plagues
I saw what looked like a sea
Glass mixed with fire, standing by the sea
O'er the beast, His image, the number of His name
All those present know victory
Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty
Just and true are your ways, king of the ages
Holdings harps given by God singing the song of Moses
Moses the servant of our God and the song of the lamb
Who will not fear You O Lord and bring glory to Your name
For You alone are holy, all nations will come
They will worship before you, your
righteous acts have been revealed
After this, I looked and in heaven the temple was opened
(The tabernacle of the testimony) out of the temple came the 7 angels
with the 7 plagues, they were dressed in clean shining linen and wore
golden sashes around their chest, then one of the four living churches
gave to the 7 angels, golden bowls filled with Gods wraths (He
lives forever and ever) the temple was filled with the smoke from the
glory of God (and from his power) no one could enter temple until
the 7 plagues of the 7 angels were completed.
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
If you are into Classic Thrash bands like Grave Forsaken, Deliverance, Mortification, Sabbat, Celtic Frost, or Believer then procure your copy of this amazing demo collection. Then, if you are so led, call up some friends, put on this release, and let the mosh began.
Christian Molten Metal is not liable for any bloody noses or broken bones that might or could occur due to irresponsible behavior in any mosh pit activity by first, second, or third parties. HA ha ha!!
Purchase your copy of Seventh Angel's 2017-"Demo Collection" at Boone's Overstock:
boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/19558585-seventh-angel-demo-collection-2017-bombworks
boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/19558585-seventh-angel-demo-collection-2017-bombworks
Musicians:
Ian Arkley-Vocals
Simon Bibby-Guitars
Mark Broomhead-Bass
Andrew "Tank" Thompson-Drums
Former Members:
Stuart Benton – vocals (1988) (prior to the first recordings or live performances)
Andrew (Andi) Blount – drums (1987-1988) (prior to the first recordings or live performances)
Andy Hopkins – bass (1988) (prior to the first recordings or live performances)
Simon Jones – bass (1991)
Jon Willis – bass (1991)
Earl Morris – bass (ex-Detritus) (1991)
Colin Brookes – drums (1989)
Scott A. Rawson – guitar, bass (1987-1989, 1990-1991)
Nic White – bass (1991)
Mark Ruff – drums (1989)
Ian Arkley-Vocals
Simon Bibby-Guitars
Mark Broomhead-Bass
Andrew "Tank" Thompson-Drums
Former Members:
Stuart Benton – vocals (1988) (prior to the first recordings or live performances)
Andrew (Andi) Blount – drums (1987-1988) (prior to the first recordings or live performances)
Andy Hopkins – bass (1988) (prior to the first recordings or live performances)
Simon Jones – bass (1991)
Jon Willis – bass (1991)
Earl Morris – bass (ex-Detritus) (1991)
Colin Brookes – drums (1989)
Scott A. Rawson – guitar, bass (1987-1989, 1990-1991)
Nic White – bass (1991)
Mark Ruff – drums (1989)
