Dreamscape - End Of Silence


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Massacre Records
Catalog Number: MAS CDQ408
Format: CD
Total Time: 72:30:00

Finally! Dreamscape has released the follow-up to their 1999 release which was the excellent Very. Once again, there's a new singer but the band remains the same besides this newcomer. We then have Roland Stoll (vocals), Jan Vacik (keyboards), Wolfgang Kerinnis (guitars), Benno Schmidtler (bass) and Bernhard Huber (drums).

End Of Silence could be described as being a melodic prog metal release with a clear emphasis on melodies. I don't remember, in the recent years, having been struck so hard by such beautiful songs. I mean, it gives me chills and goosebumps at times while keeping a definite heavy edge. I know it's not easy to balance melodies, power and an aggressive edge but they succeed to the highest degree. The musicianship is still stunning and the wizardry while more sparse is well used and classy but be warned, you won't find long intense proggy moments like on Very. I'd say that I would've enjoyed more of it but it's a minor complaint. As far as the production goes, it sounds perfect to me. All of the instruments are heard clearly and the guitar tone is "crunchy" as I like it.

There's no weak link in the band as they're all excellent musicians. They know how to pace themselves at one time with quality melodic solos while they can still go on with some complex time signatures without loosing track of the actual song during another. What about the new guy? Well, he's a midrange singer with an excellent range and can go from a velvety delivery to a gritty tone in a flash. I was afraid the loss of Hubi Meisel would've compromised the quality of the band but they definitely chose well. I seriously consider him as one of the best in the field even if it's the first disc I own he sings on.

There's always that part where you have to choose some of your favorite songs on a disc but I'm definitely having a hard time with End of Silence. I don't find one song that's uninteresting or flat at the least. They all have something to offer but I'll point out the epic 20 minutes song "The End Of Light." This song by itself is totally worth the price of the disc. The song begins with a heavily orchestrated part and at this point, I strongly suggest you sit down, close your eyes and enjoy the rest of this exquisite piece of music. Simply brilliant!

It's obvious, I love this disc and I dare to say I can't imagine anything taking the #1 spot that belongs to Dreamscape - End Of Silence off of my 2004 list. Highest recommendations!!!

Similar bands: Dream Theater, Vanden Plas, Pagan's Mind, Threshold

[This review originally appeared April 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Clockwork (6:14) / Shorttime News (5:46) / The End Of Light (20:49) / All I Need (3:35) / Silent Maze (7:33) / Flow (7:12) / More Than (6:22) / Infected Ground (7:47) / You Don't Know Me (7:02)

Musicians:
Roland Stoll - vocals
Wolfgang Kerinnis -guitar
Jan Vacik - keyboards
Benno Schmidtler - bass
Bernhard Huber - Schlagzeug

Discography:
Trance-like State (1997)
Very (1998)
End Of Silence (2004)
Revoiced (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin DE

Added: December 13th 2004
Reviewer: Steve Fulham

Artist website: www.dreamscape.de
Hits: 2880
Language: english

  

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