Winger – Seven

7/10

Of the many successful hard rock bands of the late 80’s/early 90’s, I can’t say that Winger is among my favourites. Sure, I own the two first classics Winger (1988) and In the Heart of the Young (1990) and I appriciate them, but there are so many other albums of that era that I prefer. And beyond these two originals, Winger is a blind spot for me.

Therefore; I am truly positively surprised hearing the bands new album Seven. Not only is it on par with the original classics, it might just be slightly better as well. The Winger of 2023 is heavier, more focused on crushing guitar riffs than soft keyboards and a large drum sound. It’s an effective hard rock sound with a melodic touch that never feels customized, just good and powerful. The band sounds both hungry and relevant!

The strength of this album lies very much in the song writing, which is both varied and vital. Where a lot of this bands old collegues new albums often just feels like they have been move around in a puddle where all the songs just blend together, Winger manage to create songs that differ from each other, and have no problems changing between AC/DC-rock, heavy metal & more Def Leppard-arena rock and still never seeing it fall apart at the seams.

I wouldn’t say that Seven is a groundbreaking album or a future classic, or that it contains a world wide hit song like the bands old anthem Miles Away. But few veterans, actually few melodic rock bands at all, manage to create albums this vital in 2023. An uplifting and surprising album that is well worth hearing for all fans of melodic rock!

Artist: Winger
Title: Seven
Country: USA
Label: Frontiers
Date of release: 5/5-23
Time: 55,45
Rate: 7/10
Stand Out Track: It All Comes Back Around