Seven 13

"Unleashed"
(2002 What Matters Records) 

I find it amusing when bands just send one review sheet and for some reason they are all positive reviews...either they are that good or just don't like negative criticism. I have a mixture of both personally...like it or not, I am brutally honest and to the point. Okay, the good: music is exceptional from this 6-piece from Massachusetts. Started in 1997 by Amanda Adams who is quite the pianist and keyboard player..very professional and you can tell she studied. Lauren is the only other female of the band who is the dance and theatric choreagrapher. The music is a Progressive Metal meets rock opera; something in the lines of Savatage/Dream Theater. The negative in my opinion is vocalist Kenneth Michael; his voice just has too much strain, sounds too raspy and only when his voice actually softens like in the song "Haunted", sounds appealing. If you're familiar with Zachary Stevens and Jon Oliva's vocals from Savatage, their voices are rough but they have depth and emotion, this guy doesn't. I think Amanda or Lauren could of done better and the band would be right up there with female fronted icons like Lana Lane, The Gathering and Lacuna Coil. Just my own personal opinion and the best thing to do now is let it up to the listener to decide on their own. www.seven13band.com

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