DREAMHUNTER – Bad Attitude [reissue 2015]

DREAMHUNTER was one of the first bands of the New Wave of Swedish Melodic Hard Rock with a style as we know the genre today: combining the bliss of the ’80s with a sharp & bright modern production sound. Dreamhunter released two stupendous albums in 2000 / 2001 through Z Records in Europe and Pony Canyon Inc. in Japan.
Long time out of print, both were reissued. “Bad Attitude” was their second, and final record.

Hot on the heels of their first album, 11 months after Dreamhunter released their second CD “Bad Attitude” in 2001 to hopefully build on the momentum started with their terrific debut.
For this new effort these Swedes from Örebro wanted a more rocking output, so they called Dan Swano (often associated with more metal oriented acts) to engineer & mix.
As result “Bad Attitude” sounds more hard rock than its predecessor, still plenty of hooks, heavenly keyboards and melody galore. Here, Dreamhunter reminds me Steelhouse Lane, Talon and the first House Of Lords and Hardline.

There’s a more ‘Americanized style’ all over these songs, a brand of over the top stadium anthems in full swing with strong choruses, a trademark from the band.
Title track ‘Bad Attitude’ kicks off the album with exactly its name says – some tough rocking bad attitude. Dreamhunter have their own brand of really moody, brooding melodic rock and they are straight into it here. Then ‘Can’t Face Another Night’ is as straight forward a rocker as these guys in their pompish ways are capable of.
‘City Of Angels’ is a prime example of why we love these guys: there’s a smoldering ballad intro that leads to a tempo building bridge and a big anthem chorus. Complete with backing vocals, it really is quite over the top and quite brilliant. There is plenty of layers involved in the track, turning it even more melodious.

”Gimme Your Love Tonight’ is the first proper ballad of the album and as you expected, it too is filled with a big chorus and even bigger backing and harmony vocals. ‘You’re In The Spotlight Tonight’ is a big hard rocking number in the finest tradition of the LA rock scene circa 1990 – complete with a frantic double kick drum finale.
‘Banging Like A Drum’ rocks also, but in a more European way. Its great midtempo AORish skeleton provides a nice break in the middle of the album, balancing the record.
‘The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter’ has a cool steady mid-tempo melody with a soft edge and another memorable chorus. It’s what you might call a pleasant song; nice hook, nice vocals, leaving a nice happy feeling.

Then ‘Braveheart’ pick up the pace again via its moody riff and bright edge, followed by the very American ‘This Time It’s For Real’ adding acoustic guitars to the mix and a Bon Jovi-like chorus.
“Dangerous Game” is a light pulsating melodic rocker with a an infectious hook ready for the arenas, before the album ends with one of the harder tracks on the album, the sharp ‘Money Loves Hate’ driven by a deep groove again influenced by the late ’80s US scene.

“Bad Attitude” is another killer album by Dreamhunter, sadly their last but together with debut are among the finest Melodic Hard Rock / AOR pieces the genre has given birth in this new Century.
Kudos to Z Records to made them available again for all fans.
Super, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01 – Bad Attitude
02 – Can’t Face Another Night
03 – City Of Angels
04 – Gimme Your Love Tonight
05 – You’re In The Spotlight Tonight
06 – Banging Like A Drum
07 – Keep The Fire Burning
08 – The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter
09 – Braveheart
10 – This Time It’s For Real
11 – Dangerous Game
12 – Money Loves Hate

Stig Gunnarson – vocals
Olle Zimmerman – guitars
Peter Otterborg – bass
Perry Karlsson – drums
Thomas Lassar – keyboards

BUY IT
www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Attitude-Dreamhunter/dp/B013D1M9N8
.