7DAYS: The Weight of the World (2021 Remix)

I suppose it should not be surprising to see the 7days debut The Weight of the World reissued by Ulterium Records. Afterall, Markus Sigfridsson (Darkwater/Harmony/All Things Fallen) has emerged as one of the more prolific artists and producers for this Swedish label’s releases over the past decade and a half. Moreover, this album and Ulterium share a 15-year anniversary this year. For those not already acquainted with this particular incarnation of Sigfridsson, I’ve included below portions of my original review from 2006.

7days – composed of guitarist/songwriter Sigfridsson, bassist Andreas Olsson (Narnia), talented drummer/producer Daniel Flores (Mind’s Eye) and vocalist Thomas Vikstrom – is Sigfridsson’s new band/project. With Dream Theaterish guitar crunch dialed in to perfection (some great grooves here), complex vocal/choral interplay and lush classical keyboards courtesy of guest Kaspar Dahlkvist it appears that Markus is going for a heavier and more symphonic/progressive metal sound. Vikstrom is a strong, melodic singer who powerfully projects the message of struggle/personal redemption found within the lyrics. As a tribute to their Swedish metal heritage the band includes a cover of Veni Domine’s “Wisdom Calls.”

Fast forward 15 years and what we now enjoy is a new version of this great album which has actually been remixed (and not just remastered)! I remember during a 2007 interview with Markus for Heaven’s Metal (Issue #70 Bloodgood/Deliverance) discussing the mixing and production of the original release and he expressed that he had to mix the album twice but was content at the time with the final product. Well, it sounds as if that may have been his position in 2007, but he apparently felt the album didn’t realize its full potential – these songs have literally been granted “new life” on this reissue.

The full spectrum of frequencies now includes a monster low end – can only imagine how good this would sound on vinyl. Everything just sounds more defined and weightier compared to the original. I did my usual A/B comparison testing and this remix is significantly different from the original. The “side by side” sound test just exposes how “small” and compressed the original was compared to the expansive aural spectrum of this reissue. I mean, it is literally like night and day – the listener fatigue gone now at high volume, the sibilance of the cymbals reduced, the bass drum has a killer punch/kick now and the vocals just pop out in the mix. But that is not all…

There are elements that have been added which are distinctly not present on the original. The opening track “Redeemer” features an ethereal sequence which has now been augmented with heavy “tympanic” sounds which lend a much more menacing storm-like quality to the intro, simultaneously providing more of crescendo into the heavy first verse.

Similarly, “Confession” is now monster heavy track due to the bass drum having a much more prominent placement in the mix, but yet the song retains that brilliant/elegant keyboard sequence/riff in the outro. Progressive metal doesn’t get much better.

“The Darkest Winter” – always the sleeper track on this album – is so much better now. The doomy qualities are augmented by big bass in the drum kick. I always thought this song – which reminds me so much of Veni Domine – was a bit anemic sounding on the original … not anymore! This song shreds!! And the softer closing section is so sweet now because of how the guitar sounds more defined, brighter in the mix.

“Fall Again” features the vocal duet of Caroline Sigfridsson and Vikstrom in one of the most balladic songs on the record. This song has been given new life – world class quality – with this new mix. Lyrically, this song is one of the most transparent yet triumphant songs on the album.

“Oh, yes I will fall again/But I will never fear the darkness/Oh, cause you are my tourniquet/and in Your name I’ll pierce the darkness”

On “Where Are You” … YOU the listener can really hear the bass guitar riff and rhythm support. That was missing from the original.

The dynamic title track simply rules! “The Weight of the World” has all the elements in the right place – the choral elements, the keys, the symphonic strings sounds, the crunchy guitar and the drums are all dialed in to perfection, and this new mix every element more vibrant, more powerful. Perhaps the lyrics here sum up the essence of the entire album…

“Help me to move forward/Reaching the other side/What’s this feeling/The weight of the world”

In “Save Me” I’m hearing drum accents and fills that were either absent or buried in the mix on the original. Once again, the bass end of rhythm section fills out the sonic soundscape giving this song more conviction and power. The solo sections shine.

The improvement in the drum sounds in this mix are noteworthy throughout, but a good example of how a ride cymbal “ping” can really enhance (when not buried in the mix) a rhythm can be appreciated on “With You Forever.”

Without a doubt, one of the biggest highlights of this release was the cover of Veni Domine’s “Wisdom Calls.” I would easily rank this as one of the top 10 metal songs to emerge from the Christian power metal scene. Markus interpreted it with excellence on this album – the Yngwie-influenced intro and middle section guitar leads are spectacular, and this new mix finally provides this version the low-end punch bass and drum kick sound that was such an important part of what made Fall Babylon Fall such an immersive metal album.

The bonus track “Equinox” – originally a Japan only bonus track – has been included to round out this already massive collection of progressive metal. This all-instrumental track features a slow bass/drum rhythm underneath deft guitar and keyboard interplay – plenty of shred and a nice way to round out the album.

The cover and tray inlay artwork, including the band logo, has been reworked as well with a more “hand-drawn” style. The 16-page booklet is comparable in quality to the Rivel Records (2006) version, but I have to say I miss those cool pictures with each song – here mostly the lyrics in black and white, but still with some subtle images in the black backgrounds. I also miss the symbolism in the 7days original circle logo which served as a reminder of the circular cycle of the 7day week, but the new logo is cool as well. The disc art has also been reworked (pictured) but the white theme has been retained which nicely complements the black theme of the sister 7days release Into Forever. The “black” (red polycarbonate) CD is a nice artistic touch and will please audiophiles and collectors alike.

Praise to Markus Sigfridsson and Emil Westerdahl for resurrecting this essential collection of songs and breathing such vital new life and power into this progressive metal masterpiece.

Ulterium Records

1. Redeemer (7:24)

2. Confession (5:53)

3. The Darkest Winter (5:40)

4. Fall Again (5:13)

5. Where are You (6:23)

6. The Weight of the World (5:38)

7. Save Me (7:01)

8. With You Forever (4:15)

9. Wisdom Calls (6:44)

10. Equinox (2006 Bonus) (4:47)

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