Review: Seven Sisters “Shadow of a Star Part 2”

Seven Sisters

Release date: 28th March 2025


Seven Sisters are proud to announce the highly anticipated release of their brand-new album, Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2, out on 28 March 2025 via Dissonance Productions. Following on from the critically acclaimed Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 1, this record marks the triumphant conclusion to their ambitious sci-fi concept, spanning two albums and five years in the making. 

Mastered by Terry Waker (Angel Witch, Wytch Hazel, Birth) at Tonalex, and featuring the same lineup as its predecessor, Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2 is a bold and innovative leap forward for Seven Sisters. The album seamlessly builds upon the melodic, twin-guitar-driven heavy metal sound fans know and love, while exploring new sonic territory with elements of neoclassical, ambient, and progressive music.


Kyle McNeill, the band’s frontman, shares his thoughts on the recording process:

As is always the case when it comes to recording an album, there’s a leap into the unknown where the songs are stripped back to their bare bones and then fleshed out once again, but with greater care. For the first time as Seven Sisters, we have the same lineup for two consecutive releases. It was also our first ‘stay-in’ studio experience. The temptation to keep everything exactly the same as Pt. 1 was enticing, but the story is a journey, and we wanted to reflect that in the sound. While it is clearly the second half of the story, Pt. 2 has its own identity as a record and can stand on its own outside the conceptual arc. The closing song is a 20-minute epic that spans a range of emotions in a musical tapestry, telling the final chapter of the story. It’s everything we feel Seven Sisters is about.

From the thunderous opener to the breathtaking finale, Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2 is an intricately crafted album that serves as both a celebration of traditional heavy metal and a fresh reimagining of the genre’s boundaries. The album’s stunning artwork was created by renowned UK artist Ryan T. Hancock, perfectly encapsulating the record’s epic scope and adding to the conceptual journey that begin with Pt. 1

This is heavy metal storytelling at its finest. Seven Sisters will take Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2 on the road with an extensive tour in 2025, including festival appearances and headlining shows across the UK, Europe, and North America.


Seven Sisters are one of British Metal’s shining new lights” – Brian Tatler (Diamond Head)

Seven Sisters Biography

Seven Sisters, formed in West London in 2014, deliver melodic, twin-guitar-driven heavy metal that blends ’80s influences with progressive structures and dynamic innovation. With three acclaimed albums, multiple EPs, and tours spanning the UK, Europe, and North America, the band has evolved from NWOBHM enthusiasts to pioneers of their own style, fusing elements of power metal, prog, and classic British metal. Their latest work, Shadow of a Fallen Star Pt. 2, showcases their talent for combining storytelling with fresh perspectives in heavy metal.

Seven Sisters are: 

Kyle McNeill – Guitar/Vocals/Synths 

Graeme Farmer – Guitars

Gaz Martin – Bass

Sammy Christou – Drums 

Review

Astral Prophecies kicks the EP off and you are straight away plunged into this dream like state. A semi acoustic guitar drifts through the clouds on a bed of a droning synths. But then this spiralling lead comes flying in launching you into the fast and furious section. The harmonised guitars soon join in squealing and soaring above the rhythms magnificently. Kyle jumps in with another brilliant vocal delivery capturing listeners from the moment he sings his first word. Its crazy that this over 8 minutes and is not even the shortest track on the EP. The chorus has power and punch especially with the double kick flurries helping the music storm forward. More moments of harmonised guitar licks weave in and out while the music transitions between different tempos creating an intricate and interesting structure. The guitar tones take a slightly darker approach half way through before we get a colossal lead section where the guitar work is playful and energetic. Surprisingly the band drop back to a more mellow and calm section where we get more hazy guitar ideas, ride taps and loose drum ideas that leave your mind lingering in the shadows. But then an explosion occurs catapulting you to mega speeds where a solo rips things a part. Rolling drums and slower leads change things up for a brief moment before we head back into a big chorus/outro to finish things off. Absolutely awesome track that really does pack all the emotion and intensity you could want.

Solar Winds begins with big driving mid tempo rhythms and little harmonised guitar licks. Not to mention a little lead that flurries. You are then dropped into this big open space for a brief moment, where everything cuts back to put focus on echoing guitar notes and brief drum hits. We then return to the driving rhythms and Kyles vocals take charge helping the song push forward. One thing to note is how much I love Seven Sisters ability to create music that takes you to the stars and puts your mind in other worlds. There is never a moment that feels the same; from leads that sing out to cascading drum patterns and atmospheric moments that bleed into the mix. Solar Winds combines all these elements making it another excellent track.

Heart Of The Sun is one of those majestic pieces that you will want to play over and over. It starts out with big open chords acting as a bed to beautiful harmonised guitars. The light synth notes in the background act as a nice backdrop. The whole feeling I get from the music makes me think that the heavens have opened up or your travelling through the galaxy. And this is something that continues throughout. Of course Kyles unique vocals top the elegant sounding music perfectly creating a wonderful blend. The solo just like the rest of the music sounds spectacular and I think the guitar tones used just add to the quality and feel of the song.

Andromeda Descending (A Fallen Star Rises) is the last track coming in just over a whopping twenty minutes! I have had to break this down into segments to really make sure I really get a great sense and understanding of what it is all about.

A an epic lead riff starts the track off before enormous open chords join in. This intro honestly feels huge and I am loving it. There are moments of wide panned toms that rumble in your speakers and like tracks before this is rammed with driving rhythm and bass lines. Its essentially a massive buildup that sets up the rest of the song packing a colossal punch.

Kyle bursts in with commanding vocal lines, full of fire and intensity, effortlessly soaring above a thunderous, driving bed of music. Spicy, intricate licks weave in and out, adding an exotic flair that keeps you on your toes. There’s a playful, unpredictable energy to the track, with each moment feeling fresh and captivating. The emotions pulse through every beat, as if the music itself is alive, coursing with raw feeling and energy.

At the four-and-a-half-minute mark, the crushing force of epic metal fades away, giving way to the gentle embrace of an acoustic guitar, its warm tones singing softly into the darkness. Soon, a lead guitar rises, magnificently crying out into the void, its voice haunting and powerful. The tension builds with cymbals shimmering and deep tom thumps echoing briefly, only to fade back into the quiet. A brief, brooding bass section marks the calm before we’re thrust back into the next surge of energy, propelling the song forward with relentless force.

It’s like a completely new track as everything shifts dramatically. The pounding drum pattern locks in tightly with gritty, chugging guitar riffs, creating an intense, unrelenting rhythm. In the background, intriguing synths weave in and out, adding a unique twist that brings a mystical, almost enchanting aura to the mix. Kyle’s vocals take the reins once again, cutting through the chugging guitars and thunderous drum beats with commanding force. Listening to this, I feel completely captivated, as if I’ve been pulled into a trance, and I absolutely love it.

It doesn’t take long before the thunder cracks open, as double kick drums, shredding guitar licks, and pure intensity slam into your ears. It’s nothing short of a violent storm, whipping up chaos in the best possible way— and we’re only about eleven minutes in! Seven Sisters are bursting with creativity, packing the track with an endless supply of jaw-dropping riffs. All I can do is headbang, whipping my hair around in sync with this beast of a moment in the song. The harmonized guitar work between Graeme and Kyle is absolutely killer—so tight and perfectly synchronised that I’m left in awe, wondering what just hit me! And through it all, Sammy and Gaz lay down an intricate, rolling drum and bass patterns that ties it all together flawlessly.

The songs “next chapter” if you want to call it that takes us back to a moment of peace, everything stripped back to the bare bones. Again words and guitar notes ring out from the shroud and eerie atmosphere, really helping you to feel what is going on. These moments really help you to home in on the words and get a feeling for what the music is all about. The momentum once again picks up and drives straight through your being. The moments where the glorious lead guitars join together in harmony are a magical touch and something I feel Seven Sisters do effortless! Everything just powers forward and gives you this warmth inside. I feel like listening to Andromeda Descending (A Fallen Star Rises) has been such a spectacular journey floating through the galaxies watching worlds go by. The ending which is just this semi acoustic haze of melodies slowly fading over matter of a couple of minutes is such a brilliant way to end the song. Almost like the warm down you have on a treadmill after a full on work out. Just excellent.

Conclusion

I have witnessed Seven Sisters once or twice live and they keep growing on me. And listening to their music over and over solidifies in my mind that you simply can not deny how incredibly talented musicians they are. Everything about their music captures your attention, like you can not turn your head away. Everything from the intricate structures and weaving instrumentation to the words and production just feels captivating. You sometimes worry that when songs are of great length they will loose their strength and impact and be full of filler moments. But is simply not the case here. The band have clearly taken the time and effort to really dial into every detail and fine comb things over. The final result is just outstanding and will certainly take place on my top 10 list of 2025! Well done Seven Sisters, Shadow of a Star Part 2 is a masterpiece!

TheNwothm Score: 10/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://sevensistersheavymetal.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevensistersheavymetal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Sevensistersheavymetal

Label: https://www.facebook.com/CherryRedRecords


Discover more from The Nwothm

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisements