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DREAM EVIL “Metal Gods”
DREAM EVIL “Metal Gods”
By Colonel Angus
How can you go wrong with a band named after a great DIO record and a record named after a classic JUDAS PRIEST song? Answer – you can’t. My first DREAM EVIL disk was “The Book of Heavy Metal” and while it was really good, it was their debut “Dragonslayer” that made me a fan. The use of keyboards on their earlier works made the DIO comparisons justified but as time moved on, DREAM EVIL has gone to a more basic guitars, bass, and drums sound. And I am good with that because what we are left with is just good heavy metal in the vein of early NWOBHM. They have been going with that formula since 2006’s “United” and they seem to be comfortable with the sound because with “Metal Gods” we are getting more of the same. Kind of like AC/DC or MOTORHEAD, DREAM EVIL is giving us what we want and expect.
The record starts off with the title track and it is a pounding anthem that will not disappoint. There are some great heavy moments but melody is always at the forefront. Along with melody, one of the other elements that sets DREAM EVIL apart from the other power metal outfits is that they don’t go full-on power metal all the time. Sure, they always put in a track or two like “The Tyrant Dies at Dawn” that reminds you that they are part of that genre but most of the material is more firmly ensconced in chunky traditional metal. “Night Stalker” is another tune that touches upon those power metal elements but they also incorporate some great twin guitar lead work reminiscent of THIN LIZZY and IRON MAIDEN.
I mentioned earlier that DREAM EVIL continue to give us more of the same but that doesn’t mean what they are offering is a rehash of their other material. There is a familiarity to the tunes but it still sounds fresh and new. The whole disk is filled with anthemic metal tracks with “Fight In the Night” and “Born in Hell” showcasing some gang vocals that is reminiscent of early metal. The former tune also contains some of the chunkiest metal riffing I have heard in a long time which is what makes this record so enjoyable. The band have taken all the great parts of early traditional metal and updated it a little but kept the majesty and fun of those early 80’s metal records.
Quite honestly, there really isn’t a bad song on “Metal Gods” and I have played this whole album about twenty times now. I figured after so many repeat listens, I would be skipping over some tracks and making time for the ones that I like but I haven’t found any sub-par moments. “Chosen Force”, “Lightening Strikes” and “Insane” are all great tunes and do not resemble filler material in the slightest. One of the best tracks is the album closer “Y.A.N.A.” (I think stands for “You Are Nothing At All” based on the chorus) which has this great atmospheric section during the verses. I also like that “Metal Gods” is sequenced really well giving the listener a bit of a rollercoaster ride and making the each song stand out without getting lost in similarly paced material.
DREAM EVIL have been pretty consistent in their line-up with Niklas Isfeldt, Fredrik Nordstrom, and Peter Stalfors still being the core of the band. Isfeldt continues to put in a great performance and has lost none of the power from his soaring vocals. Nordstrom and Markus Fristedt are the masterminds behind those catchy riffs and high-flying solos. Stalfors and drummer Soren Fardvik (who makes his record debut with DREAM EVIL) keep the bottom end nice and fat for the others to ride along on top. While I realize that this band was not conceived to be a full-time band, there is a magic when these guys get together and create music. “Metal Gods” is another great display of traditional metal and if you are new to DREAM EVIL, this is a good place to start. If you have been a fan like me, then “Metal Gods” is a great addition to their catalogue and stands proudly with their earlier releases.
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