Swedish progressive metal outfit SEVENTH WONDER and Lion Music have announce the release of the band's debut video, for the track 'Alley Cat', taken from the bands forthcoming fourth studio album, entitled The Great Escape, and set for release in late 2010.

The video recorded, edited and produced by Johan Larsson is the perfect backdrop for the mood of the new song which sees the band deliver their trademark brand of progressive metal. Check it out below.

Seventh Wonder cross the Atlantic for the first time to play the prestigious ProgPower USA festival along side of KAMELOT and HAMMERFALL in Atlanta, GA on September 10th.

The album, The Great Escape, is in the final stages of production and in spite of some delays is scheduled for a release later this year on Lion Music.

The tracklist will be as follows:

'Wiseman'

'Alley Cat'

'The Angelmaker'

'King Of Whitewater'

'Long Way Home'

'Move On Through'

'The Great Escape'

The band have also announced drummer Johnny Sandin will be leaving the band and have released the following announcements.

Below is a message from Johnny in connection to him announcing his departure from the band. Please note that this will have

no effect on already scheduled gigs, in which Johnny is 100% devoted to participating.

"Hello fans and friends!!

After more than 10 years of touring, recording, tons of laughter and a few tears I have decided to leave Seventh Wonder and take a break from music indefinitely.

The last few years have been hectic and filled with really cool events. The Italy-tour which was put together by the band's best friends Max, Romano and Manuel. The Sweden Rock gig is also one of the memories I will never let go of. Not to mention the upcoming ProgPower USA-gig which is a dream for all of us. I view the release of the fourth SW album and the gigs to follow as a really good finish for me in the band!! Now I will get a chance to say goodbye to fans and friends when we are out playing.

It is damned hard (although mostly fun) to put your entire soul into Seventh Wonder and at the same time work full time and also try to be a good father of four (soon five) and an equally good fiancé. It may sound selfish but I am doing this entirely for me. The more time I devote to the band, the more I loose time with my family. It is not worth that effort any more. I must make different prioritizations right now but at the same time nothing is ever really etched in stone. Who knows, in five years time I may have the drive once more. We will see what happens.

I have had the honor of playing with the finest musicians I have ever met. They have not only been there for me as band members but also as my best friends and I know that they will always be there for me.

Thank you to fans, friends and the band for 10 wonderful years." - Johnny Sandin.

The band's response:

"We are all very saddened by Johnny’s decision. We have lived with Johnny in one of the most important aspects of our lives for many years, some of us for over 10 years. At the same time we feel the utmost respect for Johnny’s decision which we believe to be a correct one for him. Since the first trembling steps of the entity that came to be Seventh Wonder, Johnny has been an integral part of the sound that is Seventh Wonder. Johnny co-wrote a lot of the earlier material and his rhythmic patterns, thunderous fills and poly-rhythmic excursions that he contributes to the music have challenged fans as well as his band members throughout this incredible journey. Johnny is the craziest man alive and has given many thousand laughs and hilarious moments to everyone around him.

As you can understand it is very hard for us to think of Seventh Wonder without Johnny, but at the same time we are all, including Johnny, fully committed to carry on and keep doing what we have come to love and hold so dear over the years. This certainly ends one chapter in the Seventh Wonder book of history, let us together turn the page and see what the future holds as we let Johnny go towards other challenges.

We love you Johnny and we wouldn’t have become who we are with out you!

This does not affect already booked gigs. All scheduled gigs will be performed with Johnny at the helm, and 100% devoted to the task!"

The band continue: "We envision that any applicant is a drummer with a well enough developed technical proficiency to be able to play through just about any song from our back catalogue. This should also work in a live setting with a metronome in a reasonably relaxed and steady manner. You who apply for the position should have a passion for the music we create and the genre in which we are active. The ability and will to sing back-up vocals during live sets is a plus. The band is active in Stockholm and that is also where the studio is, a fact to be considered by all applicants. Previous live show experience is a plus, a drum set of your own is a must."

To apply:

1) Record a video of reasonable quality of yourself playing two Seventh Wonder songs from Waiting In the Wings and/or Mercy Falls

2) Record a video of yourself playing anything else that you feel shows your drumming and your skills in a good way

3) Describe yourself, your musical background and activities, life situation and visions. You may either write this in the e-mail itself or in a file that you attach.

4) Send links to videos (for either download or streaming) and text according to bullet no3 above to: drummer@seventhwonder.nu

5) You do not have to be Johnny –be yourself.