The Swedish/German band Dionysus (named after the legendary Greek God of Wine) was formed in the darkest hour of autumn ´99, by Sinergy drummer Ronny Milianowicz.

FAIRYTALES AND REALITY (2006) AFM (Limited Edition Digipack)

Dionysus play a form of melodic power metal that I know many metalheads feel are obsolete, or less "worthy". The cheese clichés are always around the next corner when people are talking about the bands they feel ride on the success this genre had in the late 90's. Luckily I'm not one who jumps on these accusations, but rather judge bands by the music they make, and how that music makes me feel. And the music Dionysus creates make feel darned good! I've always been a fan of Olaf Hayer. I've known about him from his days in Treasure Seeker and Chrystyne. And I love his work with Luca Turilli. But I never came around to buying any albums by this band. Not until I caught them live, that is. As they were the opening act for Jon Oliva's Pain in Oslo in April 2007, I got to experience their music for the first time, and I ended up buying this CD, as well as meeting the entire band. They signed my CD, chatted a little, and they even took a picture of me together with most of the band members. But enough of me. This should be about the music, which is typical "flowery" happy metal. Double bass drums, galloping guitars, symphonic keys and choruses that sticks to the memory in an instant. (If you can listen to "Spirit" one time and not hum along with the chorus right away, you are a "better" man then me!). But this is also music created by competent musicians. Especially guitarist Johnny Öhlin has a lot to offer. And then it was a matter of the the vocalist. Olaf Hayer is one of the many unsung heroes of metal. He has a solid set of pipes, and it can only be some sort of weird technicality, or plain old bad luck, that prevents the man from becoming one of the more known metal vocalists of all time. He has this powerful, clean voice that fits this kind of music perfectly. So I can only feel sorry for close minded people who can't find anything but negative ill-will towards a band, just because they belong to a certain genre. I am more then happy with my purchase, and will buy the rest of the bands music as I go along.

Killer tracks: Illusion Of Life, The Orb, Blinded, Spirit

Ronny Milianiwicz guest appearances:

HammerFall - 'Legacy Of Kings'

HammerFall - 'Masterpieces'

Primal Fear - 'New Religion' (also as writer)

Olaf Hayer guest appearances:

Seventh Avenue - 'Tales Of Tales'

Rhapsody Of Fire - 'Triumph Or Agony'

Related artists:

Treasure Seeker, Luca Turilli