Dream Evil - Dragonslayer


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Century Media
Catalog Number: 8022-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 44:18:00

Sometimes I find that no matter how much I enjoy a band or an album, writing a review is a whole different story. Take new melodic power metal band Dream Evil. They are playing nothing that hasn't been played before but they play it with enthusiasm, with a minimum of fuss, and with an eye for contagious melodies that leaves you feeling good long after it has finished.

An interesting fact behind the band, with it's balls fitting squarely (or should that be roundly?) [lol - PW ed.] in the melodic power metal genre, is some of the names behind it. Producer of such acts as Hammerfall, In Flames, and Dimmu Borgir, Mr. Fredrik Nordström is the main man, handling the keys and guitars on DragonSlayer. The second guitarist is Gus G., known for his work with Greek traditional power band Mystic Prophecy, although the guitars on this album are seldom as physical as Mystic Prophecy employing catchy, smooth melodies and solos that are simple, yet heavy and clean. Like the magnificent Supreme Majesty, Dream Evil have at their disposable an almost accent-less vocalist in Niklas Istfeldt who has an amazing voice that covers all the clean elements that comes with many power metal bands. It's not that he can reach overly high like a Tobias Sammet (Edguy) or Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), just mainly that he delivers an almost flawless performance that matches the music's pace and energy perfectly. For trivia buffs, Niklas performed backing vocals on the first two Hammerfall albums, too.

DragonSlayer is simple album without the extravagances of other melodic power metal bands. Their enthusiasm is nothing short of outstanding and it had a really positive effect on me the first few times I heard it. After many listens, the album still reaches out to grab you but you do come to the conclusion that its longevity may be in question. Stand out songs are frequent on the album from the leading ballad "The Chosen Ones" to the beefy "The Prophecy" on towards the anthemic "Heavy Metal In The Night." Along with the opening tracks "Chasing The Dragon," "In Flames You Burn," and "Save Us," Dream Evil show us just how good melodic power metal can be. A couple of songs miss the mark in the form of the lame "H.M.J." (Heavy Metal Jesus) and the troublesome "Losing You" but they don't hinder the album as much the cheesy computerised keys and the lack of originality. Terrific use of group choruses like ala Europe also heighten the album.

Despite being written using the "How to Create Swedish Melodic Power Metal" handbook (similar in structure to "How to Write a Hollywood Action Screenplay" methinks), Dream Evil's enthusiastic playing means any and all doubts can be overlooked. Revel in its simplicity, delve into its complexities, and just enjoy the hell out it. It may not last forever but whilst it's playing I know you are going to love it as I do.

Similar To: Supreme Majesty, Stratovarius, Stormwind

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Chasing The Dragon (4:01) / In Flames You Burn (4:34) / Save Us (3:39) / Kingdom Of The Damned (3:54) / The Prophecy (4:14) / The Chosen Ones (5:02) / Losing You (5:56) / The 7th Day (3:33) / Heavy Metal In The Night (4:54) / H.M.J (2:46) / Hail To The King (3:30) / Outro (0:15)

Musicians:
Fredrik Nordström - guitars & keyboards
Gus G. - guitars
Niklas Istfeldt - vocals
Peter Stålfors - bass
Snowy Shaw - drums

Discography:
Dragonslayer (2002)
Evilized (2003)
The Book Of Heavy Metal (2004)
United (2006)
In The Night (2010)
Six (2017)

Gold Medal In Metal (DVD+2CD)(2007)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: December 11th 2004
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.dreamevil.se
Hits: 2462
Language: english

  

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