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Lefay > The Seventh Seal > Reviews
Lefay - The Seventh Seal

Lefay, revived enchanter of doom and power - 94%

Crossover, September 2nd, 2020
Written based on this version: 1999, CD, Noise Records

I'm gonna start reviewing these Lefay albums because why not? They are one of the best power/doom metal bands on the planet, and they are not afraid to mix it up. Indeed on here and on 90% of their material you will hear a sway from power to doom to thrash, with haunting atmospheric ballads, bonecrushing doom hymns, and speedy riff fests in between.

This one starts on a high note. The guitar effect at the beginning of End of Living bursting into the crushing opening riff set will always be memorable. On this track and every subsequent one, minus the ballads, vocalist Charles Rytkönen unleashes his Jon Ovila on steroids vocal range and presence that is one of the defining characteristics of the band's sound. He might very well be the key to their overall epic nature and riffage too as the hired hands he recruited during the Noise Records years do not miss a single beat of intensity in recreating the sound of the parent band Morgana Lefay. And while the old incarnation would go on to issue a terrible album in the same time frame, Rytkönen would power through and eventually resurrect the band in its full glory a few years later as the naming dispute ended.

Morgana Lefay play doom metal from time to time, and usually it takes a Candlemass-inspired tone, often exploring even more dreadful sounds than their fellow Swedish mentor. On the title track here they actually incorporate a lot of old Black Sabbath sound. It is pretty much a clash of the Gothic dreariness that Lefay injects to many of their songs with groovy updated modern Black Sabbath doom riffage in droves between it. Songs like these are almost impossible not to bang your head to. It also stands in opposition to the dichotomy that this album ends with. Two all out thrashers appear the middle-end and finale of this album. The year is 1999, not much was happening in the thrash metal front and these guys just knocked it out of the fucking park. Child of Time intros with one of the most furious and savage riffs of all time and the final track Shadow Empire sounds like one of those heavy songs Helloween has put out on the albums following Dark Ride mixed with a balls out speed metal intensity, complete with a great harmonized guitar melody in the middle.

So you're reading through this review and thinking well.... this band sounds like a tormenting beast that is going to knock my house down when I play this on my speakers at full blast, and you would be correct. Now, what if I told you the absolute highlights of the albums are its 3 ballads? Shocked? If you have heard Lefay ballads in the past, probably not. They put a unique and unmistakable spin on the song type. Indeed they all have something to offer: The Boon He Gives is a thorough power ballad warning about the ever-present dangers and twistedness of evil; it shifts between grooving doom power metal and softer ballad verses. The other two ballads give off two other distinct vibes: Moonlit Night continues with the more dreary mystical theme of the song prior, it is a dark and minstrely song, a classic in the doom metal ballad field. As Far as I Can Go comes off as a desperate cry of agony with Rytkönen showcasing some impressive deep vocals. Its a touch more repetitive, but the band, as always, interjects minor emotional changes to keep building the sorrowful and bleak chill of the song.

To conclude on the songs, Hårga offers some eerie symphonic violin doom, a pretty vile sounding offering. So Strange is an epic mid-paced power metal effort, and I am, which is the weakest offering here, really sounds like another band. Maybe it's the only one influenced by the other band members; kind of boring and effortless groove/thrash.

The production of this album is as always fantastic. They always bring a battering ram-type crushing drum sound, down tuned and heavier than hell guitar tone, and eerie atmospheric keyboard backing that never feels overbearing. At the end of the day it is another strong release in the Lefay camp that is recommended for fans of mindblowingly heavy and doomy power metal. And if you thought the title of this review sounds like a Magic card the lyrical themes this band chooses are pretty close to that realm of fantasy.

Standout tracks: End of Living, The Seventh Seal, The Boon He Gives, Moonlit Night, Child of Time, As Far as I Can Go, Shadow Empire.

One of few good swedish heavy/power releases - 81%

HawkMoon, July 10th, 2003

I always had a hard time describing Lefay's music, but let's try shall we.
Born out of the ashes of swedish power/thrash band Morgana Lefay, they give us a high-quality debut with much feeling. Sure, they might be power metal but I always thought they had more influence from 80's thrash metal than the german stuff.

"End of living" is kinda 90's midtempo thrash, pretty heavy tune.
"The seventh seal" has a more groovy doom feel to it, I come to think of 70's Black Sabbath releases.
"The boon he gives" is the first ballad on the album, I'm not always that much for metal ballads but it feels just right here. Ok it gets a bit heavy also but still.. Charles Rytkönen is an awesome singer able to express the right emotions, I always liked this guys voice.
"Moonlit night" is another ballad, a little softer this time.. it smells like Crimson Glory. Great song anyhow.
"Child of time" is the albums highlight, a pure thrash riff is served right in your face, and god it tastes good.
"Hårga" is a heavy one based on that old swedish folk melody. This one also smells alot like Sabbath.
"As far as I can go" is yet another ballad, not as good one though.. it's getting a little too much of that stuff now. Give me..
"Shadow empire", probably the fastest track on the album, this thrashy thing seriously kicks ass.