DREAM EVIL – SIX (2017)
After a 7-year hiatus Swedish combo DREAM EVIL returns with their new album “Six” to be released tomorrow. Despite once being sort of a supergroup when prodigy Gus G. (Firewind, Ozzy) and the multi-faceted Snowy Shaw (ex-King Diamond) were part of the band, now they lurk the scene in search for a place in the sun.
The Euro / power metal style has been pretty relegated in this Dream Evil 2017 in favor to a much more catchy melodic metal with hooky choruses.
Throughout their career span, Dream Evil has been rounding up clichés in Metal and Rock music and making songs out of them. Sounds pretty common right? It was done a lot in the ’80s. Yeah, but now we are supposed to be more sophisticated right? So no, we don’t.
Dream Evil’s music is still faithful to that classic ’80s twists, and trust me that if those clichés are done good, you would fall for them in a second.
“Six”, in general, is no different in its program than the previous albums. It is amazingly produced, presenting the modern sound that has been integral in the band’s continuity. The musicianship has always been at top level, and it came to pass right here as well, those seven years were probably a warm-up exercise for the band, especially for Niklas Isfeldt, which his vocals had been missed all those years, and with Mark U Black back in the fold, an aspect that really leveled up the lead guitar carvings.
However, what has significantly changed is the overall direction in arrangements; less double bass drums and much more catchy melodic metal riffs.
“Dream Evil” (I’m surprised that they never used the band name for a song before) opens the album in a mid-pace manner with heavy leads and anthemic choruses. Follow-up “Antidote” is more Euro-power with trendy lines and some cool riffing.
But this ‘new’ Dream Evil appears in track 3 “Sin City”, which is actually pretty awesome. Replete with groove and hard rock feeling, this song shows that these guys know perfectly well how to create appealing and attractive music. The midtempo leads and the killer chorus should be replicated by these guys whenever possible.
Songs such as “Too Loud” and “44 Riders” put yet another seal of why the ’80s were the ultimate years of Metal. No matter if the modern sounded pierced through the ears, the core is decades old and the machine is oiled, strong as it can be.
“The Murdered Mind” and “Broken Wings” both also have tha Eighties spirit but here mixed with a few contemporary moves.
Another highlight for me, indeed my favorite from the album, is the midtempo / ballad “Creature Of The Night”, which seems taken from a late ’80s Pretty Maids / Treat album. It’s slow yet plenty of dynamics, strong vocals, highly melodious guitar lines and a superb production.
“Six” is a very strong classic melodic metal album sporting a stupendous production and killer musicianship. There’s plenty of cliches (and some silly lyrics by the way) but darn, this is all so well done with catchy choruses and melody all over.
Strongly Recommended
01 – Dream Evil
02 – Antidote
03 – Sin City
04 – Creature of the Night
05 – Hellride
06 – Six Hundred And 66
07 – How to Start a War
08 – The Murdered Mind
09 – Too Loud
10 – 44 Riders
11 – Broken Wings
12 – We Are Forever
Niklas Isfeldt – Vocals
Fredrik Nordström – Rhythm Guitars
Mark U Black – Lead Guitars
Peter Stålfors – Bass
Patrik Jerksten – Drums
Pre Order:
shop.napalmrecords.com/dream-evil-six-cd.html
.
