SEVENTH STATION On Shoulders Of Giants - A Bold, Avant-Garde Fusion of Metal and Classical Chaos

Seventh Station’s latest EP, On Shoulders Of Giants, set to release on February 21, 2025, via Layered Reality Productions, is an ambitious and uncompromising work of progressive and avant-garde metal. The multinational ensemble, led by Slovenian-based guitarist Dimitri Alperovich, continues to defy conventions, crafting a release that pays tribute to 20th-century modern composers through a prism of metal, classical, and theatrical experimentation.

Following the intense and frenzied Heal The Unhealed (2022), this new release elevates the band’s polystylistic aspirations even further. Featuring a lineup of international virtuosos—including Turkish keyboardist Eren Başbuğ (known for his collaborations with Dream Theater and Jordan Rudess), Israeli vocalist Davidavi Dolev (Subterranean Masquerade), Ukrainian-Israeli bassist Alexy Polyanski, and Slovenian drummer Grega Plumbeger—On Shoulders Of Giants is a testament to artistic audacity. Each member contributes not only technical proficiency but a unique cultural and musical background, forming a truly global musical entity.

Three Days in Dresden – The opening track, an interpretation of a Shostakovich composition, is a maelstrom of staccato guitar riffs, frenetic drumming, and animated bass lines. The collision of 20th-century classical music with progressive metal intensity creates a challenging yet rewarding listen.
Seid nüchtern und wachet (VII. Es geschah) – Marking the introduction of vocals, this track plunges into darker, more dramatic territory. Dolev’s expressive and theatrical delivery enhances the piece’s haunting atmosphere, making it a standout moment on the EP.
Tropical Limbo – A paradoxical blend of island-like melodies and off-kilter rhythms, this track embodies the band’s penchant for unconventional compositions. The xylophone-like tones and playful motifs give it an almost circus-like quality, reminiscent of the avant-garde chaos of bands like Secret Chiefs 3.
Melodia Sentimental – A striking departure from the chaos, this song embraces a more tender and nostalgic tone. Acoustic guitars and soft vocals evoke a sense of longing for the past, bringing an emotional depth that contrasts with the EP’s more erratic moments.
Nagasaki Kisses – Perhaps the most intricate and dynamic composition on the EP, this track showcases Seventh Station’s full range of abilities. Featuring guest trumpeter Tandoruk Yalçın, it oscillates between intricate time signatures, heavy progressive metal elements, and moments of sheer theatricality.

Seventh Station’s On Shoulders Of Giants is not an easy listen, nor does it seek to be. It is an intellectually demanding work that challenges the listener at every turn. Fans of Spastic Ink, Mr. Bungle, and avant-garde metal will find much to admire, while those looking for a more conventional progressive metal experience may struggle with its dense compositions and polystylistic unpredictability.

What sets this EP apart is its rejection of musical and ideological conformity. By reimagining works of classical nonconformists, Seventh Station not only honors their legacy but also carves out a space for free-thinking, genre-defying metal. The result is an EP that is as perplexing as it is brilliant—an unfiltered artistic expression that refuses to cater to the mainstream.

In the end, On Shoulders Of Giants is a release that demands multiple listens. It is an invitation to step outside musical comfort zones and embrace the unfamiliar. Whether it resonates on an emotional level or simply bewilders, there is no denying the sheer musicianship and vision behind this work.