Jacob's Dream - Jacob's Dream


Year of Release: 2000
Label: Metal Blade
Catalog Number: 14282
Format: CD
Total Time: 47:55:00

I was so fortunate to get a hold of Jacob Dream's self-titled debut demo CD, which was released back in 98. This CD was pretty hard to get a hold of but somehow I managed to get my hands on a copy. Amazingly, this demo sold the amount of 3000 copies and the hunt from labels to get this band signed was a fact. In the end, the band signed to Metal Blade and their debut CD is now out in the stores.

What we get here is classic powerful heavy metal with some progressive elements in the vein of Maiden, Steel Prophet, Lethal and Queensryche. The musical emphasis is on the dual guitars, which are fairly technical, powerful and tasty and the good, high-pitched vocals of David Taylor. He come across as a mix of Geoff Tate (Queensryche), T. Mallicoat and Rick Mythiasin. On the whole, the band is very competent as musicians. The music balances between catchy up-tempo and mid-paced rockers, and more laidback, dark and moody parts and verses, with clean and acoustic guitars. Despite the heaviness of the songs, there is on the whole a really melodic and accessible approach to the songs. The vocal and melody-lines are very catchy and easy to like, and it's hard to sit still or not to sing along to these melodies. Of the songs offered, there are a few killer songs, and overall the songs are of great quality. A couple of songs come off a bit anonymous but that is because they pale in comparison to the great songs. Just listen to the opening cut "Kinescope," and you will know what Jacob's Dream are good for!

The songs are varied and well composed and the production is good, with all instruments present, yet with room for an overall improvement of the sound. If you like the abovementioned bands you will most likely enjoy this band. Even though this is nothing new under the sun, Jacob's Dream manage to create catchy, accessible melodies with a personal identity and atmosphere. Metal fans will eat this thing raw.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Kinescope (3:34) / Funambulism (4:33) / Scape Goat (5:06) / Mad House Of Cain (3:01) / Tale Of Fears (4:29) / Crusade (4:10) / Black Watch (3:55) / Love & Sorrow (4:14) / The Gathering (3:24) / Never Surrender (4:13) / The Bleeding Tree (3:49) / Violent Truth (3:18)

Musicians:
John Berry - guitar and synth
James Evans - bass
Gary Holtzman - guitar
Rick May - drums
David Taylor - vocals

Discography:
Jacob's Dream (2000)
Theater Of War (2001)
Drama Of The Ages (2005)
Dominion Of Darkness (2008)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: December 28th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.jacobsdream.info
Hits: 2650
Language: english

  

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