Dream Evil - Evilized


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Century Media
Catalog Number: 8126-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 44:24:00

Evilized is Dream Evil's second release in as many years, and damn if it isn't good. I mean really good. I mean, the first several tracks take you on a breathless ride though the rollercoaster that is melodic power metal. Oh sure, you have this feeling you've heard it before, as stylistically Dream Evil aren't creating anything new. But that's not the intent ? Fredrik Nordström, musician and artist, wanted to start his own band that played traditional metal. Here on Evilized what results is a trip through various styles of metal, from the heavy, galloping style a la Iron Maiden (with choruses a la Jag Panzer) with "Break The Chains," to the swaggering bravado a la a harder edged Bon Jovi with "Bad Dreams" (don't laugh, it's not all as bad as that sounds) to the epic, classic metal of "Children Of The Night." We even get an elegant, epic power ballad, complete with piano and strings, in "Forevermore." It's a track that would make soundtrack composer Michael Kamen both proud and jealous ? proud because it has all the scope and sweep of anything he's ever composed, jealous because it isn't as cloying as some of Kamen's compositions. In fact, its closer to what Dream Theater might do working if they ever worked with Kamen, but had the upper hand.

Dream Evil are, in addition to Nordströrm on guitars and keyboards, Niklas Isfeldt on vocals, Gus G. on guitars, Peter Stålfors on bass, and Snowy Shaw on drums. Making Dream Evil a supergroup of sorts. Super sure is the operative word, here. This is like listening to the greatest hits package of a veteran band. Which means there's a lot to sink your teeth into, as I'm sure "By My Side" will be crowd pleaser for you warrior-metal types, with its jackhammer drums and percussion, pounding bass, wild guitar solos and rallying choruses. "Fight You 'Til The End" is more of the same. "Evilized" is another one of those memorable pieces, with nicely chiming guitar playing contrast to the chugging rhythm and vocalist Niklas Isfeldt's soaring, melodic vocals. "Invisible" muscles its way into your mind ? even the ghostly death whispers are kinda cool.

"Made Of Metal" is a little antiquated, making me think of Manowar? at least visually. Niklas Isfeldt vocals aren't quite as over-the-top as that might suggest. And don't think they take themselves entirely serious here ? listen closely to the lyrics. "The End" is a near-ballad with a chorus that will stick in your mind long after the CD has ended. "Bad Dreams," is complete is horrific screams that I'm not sure are real, keyboards or from the guitar? but they sure fit in with the cover artwork.

Lotsa massive guitar solos abound, too, but never to the point of excess. It is a tight release that hits all the right notes, blessed with great performances and production.

Hey, I should leave something for you to discover on your own, huh. Just know that the sound is big, boomy, and heavy and as beautiful as this kind of melodic power metal band be. Look for this album to make many a top ten chart. I'm not usually taken to purple prose, but evil is good and you'd do well get yourself evilized.


Tracklisting:
Break The Chains (3:32) / By My Side (3:37) / Fight You 'Till The End (3:52) / Evilized (4:43) / Invisible (2:53) / Bad Dream (3:08) / Forevermore (5:08) / Children Of The Night (4:44) / Live A Lie (3:26) / Fear The Night (3:47) / Made Of Metal (3:51) / The End (4:23)

Musicians:
Niklas Isfeldt - vocals
Gus G. - guitars
Fredrik Nordström - guitars and keyboards
Peter Stålfors - bass
Snowy Shaw - drums

Discography:
Dragonslayer (2002)
Evilized (2003)
The Book Of Heavy Metal (2004)
United (2006)
In The Night (2010)
Six (2017)

Gold Medal In Metal (DVD+2CD)(2007)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: September 22nd 2003
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.dreamevil.se
Hits: 2706
Language: english

  

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