Artist: Dream Evil
Label: Century Media
Release: 2006
Rating: 3.5/5
United? Well,.. Is the record titled “United” (Assembly of United Metal Labor) finally the sign of a solid crew whose lineup won’t change from album to album? This time the excellent former King Diamond drummer Snowy Shaw has been replaced on the new record by drummer Pat Power, and Gus G, who jumped ship to the Greek band Firewind, got a successor in Mark Black.
“United”. Nothing new here, not even after the new lineup changes. Dream Evil still remind me of a Swedish Primal Fear. So: simple, open guitar riffs, pushed hard to the front of the production but with less raw ferocity than on the Germans’ records, and the vocals, though clear, authoritative and confident, bring more melody and aren’t as aggressive as with Primal Fear. It’s not far from there to the fact that the songs are once again full-on anthems, perfect for raising hell in the halls, since the melodies just push their way into your ear all by themselves. Predictable templates, then, and yet still a touch “their own thing”, like I said, “Swedish Primal Fear”. So “United” once again offers music for the loyal handful of the band’s fans who are used to the first three Dream Evil records, because even with “United” Dream Evil stay exactly where they’ve always been. Hard-hitting, straight-up “kick-you-in-the-face” power metal that in places – really only sporadically, in the vocal lines – likes to slip into the form of a classic hard rock staple. The vocal lines in particular love to flirt with Ronnie James Dio, though as said, of all the familiar comparisons they still follow the lines Primal Fear write the closest. The album’s real standout is the punchy power ballad Love Is Blind, where technical chops paired with the band’s heartfelt approach as a whole really shine. Otherwise, give yourself over to the red-hot power metal neighing that runs through the record without a weak moment, handing out metal slaps right from the first listen.
The record’s special charm is the witty cover of last year’s Eurovision-winning pop tune by the Greek pop singer Helena Papariozou, titled My Number One, where gypsy melodies and oriental rhythms weave attractively together with classic metal approaches. Too predictable and too soft for the gourmets, but for fans of the classics and worshippers of power metal melody laced with raw strength, the album is well worth your attention. Primal Fear fans will feel right at home with “United” too.
Lineup
Niklas Isfeldt – vocals
Mark Black – guitar
Fredrik Nordström – guitar
Peter Stålfors – bass
Pat Power – drums
Production
Fredrik Nordström
Track list
1. Fire! Battle! In Metal! (3:10)
2. United (3:33)
3. Blind Evil (4:22)
4. Evilution (4:28)
5. Let Me Out (4:28)
6. Higher On Fire (4:22)
7. Kingdom At War (3:10)
8. Love Is Blind (4:46)
9. Falling (4:01)
10. Back From The Dead (4:23)
11. Doomlord (4:42)
12. My Number One (3:09)
Running time: 48.55
