Florida-based power metal band deliver a superset of high-intensity power metal led by a standout female vocalist. Get to an Unleash The Archers 2021 show early and catch them.
By Bryan Ahearn
Fans in Denver last Saturday night were “powermetalized” during an out-and-out heavy-lifting rock performance, thanks to an inspired performance by Seven Kingdoms in their opening performance for Unleash The Archers.
With an all-killer and no-filler 7-song set, vocalist Sabrina Valentine (whilst seated from a recent ankle injury) muscled her way through daft range of power and harmony (reminiscent of the lead singers in Evanecense, Heart and Blondie), and was the perfect adornment to a thunderous speed rhythm section of Kevin Byrd and Camden Cruz (guitars) and Keith Byrd (drums).
Several canceled tour dates (due to travel protocols that delayed headliner Unleash The Archers’ entry into the USA), and one socket-punctured tire later (and who knows how many stops at Buc-ee’s gas mega-stations along the way)…Seven Kingdoms muscled their way into Denver and stood mountain-strong.
Opening with 2012’s “After The Fall,” the quartet leaned heavily into a classic speed-metal regimen of fret board calisthenics and breath-takingly quick drum rhythms. Compounded by the powerful vocals of Sabrina Valentine, the band, right away, earned its presence—and the crowd’s respect.
With the majority of the 7-song set focused on Seven Kingdom’s most recent release, 2019’s Empty Eyes, the band’s newer material was certainly up to task, as the slow-down power chorus of “Monster” drew particular energy as Sabrina’s voice maneuvered expertly between whatever rhythm the band was laying down. And it was that way for the duration of the set.
It’s been good bit since I’ve been introduced to a new (to me, anyways) female vocalist this good. Female pop-vocalists of the 80’s are among my favorite (Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson, Debbie Harry). For 45 minutes that night, Sabrina Valentine became my favorite female vocalist—and stuck with me long after, with each listen to Seven Kingdom’s Empty Eyes EP.
Other highlights of the Seven Kingdoms set included “The Water Dance,” as Valentine croons, “I have a name/Don’t tell me who I am/Who I should be…” before abruptly growling “Today is the day/I will sow your fate!”
If any fate was sowed that night, it was that Seven Kingdoms might not be too far off from returning to the road for a well-earned longer set next time. And if Denver was any indication, they’d be welcome with open (24-inch python) arms, brother!
Rating: 5/5
Seven Kingdoms Setlist (Check out “Monster” )
MavStar 