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Taking their influence from the likes of A Year To Remember and Blink 182, Swansea based punksters, Seven Stories High, could well win over serious numbers of metal fans with their own brand of hardcore pop punk brilliantly encapsulated in their recently released EP, Take The Long Road Home. Once the opening intro is done, the riff laden, double kicking first bars of opening track, CTRL hits, which definitely draws many elements from their aforementioned influences. But it’s the heart pounding drum breaks that differentiate them from the ‘run of the mill’ pop punk outfits. Its a cracking opening track. That’s No Moon keeps upbeat attitude going, and the vocals from Rhys Hyett-Ferrier have an almost Robert Smith tone to them in parts. Working For Wednesdays adopts a more guitar driven sound, but the familiar double kick presence of Dave Bevan is always there. What the chorus defuses from the tracks pace, is more than made up for with a switch from a deceptively smooth tone, back to the aggression of the hardcore punk side, with guitarist, Matt Davis, providing the backing vox which leads us perfectly into the second half of the album.
Wait For It, features the vocals of Charlotte Gilpin, lead singer with fellow Welsh band, Dream State and it’s the addition of Charlotte that helps make this track a real stand out. It really is a massive, rollercoaster of a song from the very first tones of the guitar heavy intro, through the almost haunting opening coal provided by Rhys and Charlotte. It builds into its massive more hardcore chorus, with the female vocal leading the way for Rhys to follow. It’s all then stripped back to just a guitar and Rhys’ solo, before crashing back into the closing chorus. The penultimate song, Skin Me Alive, shows the bands diversity and ability to demonstrate a far mellowed sound. Acoustic guitars, piano and vocals are all that are required here, and it’s beautifully executed. But it’s soon back to what the guys do best. Assaulting your senses with a barrage of guitars, drums and great vocals, and Fools Paradiseis a great way to bring the curtain down on a great follow up to their self titled first release. As with all forms of art, Seven Stories High draw elements from those who inspire them, Sum41, Four Year Strong, etc. But these guys are carving out a niche for only themselves to occupy. Their combined talents, although influenced by others, creates a sound that is out there on their own.
