Line Up: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals; Marcel Jacob - Guitars, Bass; Fredrik Åkesson - Guitars; Jamie Borger - Drums, Percussion

Talisman's three year hiatus has finally ended with the band's latest studio release, 7. With the title coming from this being their seventh studio release, the band has helped to build the foundation commonly known as the melodic hard rock genre. Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto and bassist Marcel Jacob (both Yngwie Malmsteen alumni) return along with guitarist Fredrik Åkesson and drummer Jamie Borger.

Each band member individually has kept themselves quite busy during their time apart. Most notable is Jeff Scott Soto working with guitarist Neal Schon in the group Soul SirkUS and later taking over the vocal duties for Journey. No matter the style of music, Soto’s voice is always easily recognizable. Couple that with the superb musicianship that Talisman always brings to the table the expectations for another quality studio should be high.

The progressive nature of the music is the first thing that assails you when “Falling” opens up the CD. Soto’s voice soon enters and begins to lead you into the bands musical landscape. Jacob’s bass playing is dominant and is the fundamental building block for the bands arrangements. Åkesson stretches out with classy textures of clean electric guitar chord progressions, soaring solos and heavy rhythms. The band compliments each other very well. 7 is chock full melodic hooks and melodies but maintains a harder edge with dominance of the bass guitar.

Compared to ’03's Cats and Dogs, 7 has a progressive nature mixed with melodic hard rock where Cats and Dogs had jaunts into heavy blues rock compositions. Soto continues his vocal interplay with himself as the background vocals and main vocals follow a call and response trend Soto has perfected over the course of many releases.

The band delivers some great music on 7, from “The 1 I’m living 4,” “On my way” to “Trouble water” and “Nowhere fast”. Honestly, the release is a few steps ahead of ’03's Cats and Dogs. 7 has more continuity between the songs and the band continues to perfect and finely tune their song writing skills.