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This Swedish band was formed in the fall of 1999 by the notorious producer & owner of Studio Fredman, Fredrik Nordström (HammerFall, In Flames, Dimmu Borgir, Spiritual Beggars, etc.) and the outstanding Greek guitarist youngster Gus G. (Mystic Prophecy, Firewind etc.), after Fredrik for several years had carried forth the idea of realizing his own melodic metal compositions within a proper band set-up.
DRAGONSLAYER
(2002) CENTURY MEDIA
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Line-up: Gus G. - Guitars Fredrik Nordström - Guitars and Keyboards Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals Peter Stålfors - Bass Snowy Shaw - Drums Guests: Charlie Storm - Drums on 1 Rikard Bengtsson - Backing Vocals |
This has got to be the strongest heavy metal debut album since Hammerfall's 'Glory To The Brave' or Lost Horizon's 'Awakening The World'!! (Hmmm, is it a coincidence that both of those bands were Swedish too?) My only complaint about this album is that I didn't get it sooner! It is a blast being almost 30 years of age, and still get excited like this over a metal platter. But is it even possible to not bang your head to the sounds of killer songs like "The Chosen Ones" and "Kingdom of the Damned"? If you can't, chances are you just don't like real metal! I know that Dream Evil have gotten a bit of flack for their cliché looks, and even more for their lyrics. But isn't this what metal is all about? Who cares if it is a tad silly as long as it is done this good? At least these guys have the guts to do it! And no one in their right mind would even suggest that it is done without a tongue in cheek mindset. To me this is simply an outstanding collection of killer songs. This is what metal is supposed to sound like. Catchy songs that you can sing along to after only a few listens. Stuff that embarks on a journey through your head, so much so that you are humming along to the tracks for days, and perhaps weeks, after listening to them. Dream Evil creates such music. And they do it with class! All the musicians are top notch players, and Niklas voice is the perfect combination between Klaus Meine (Scorpions) and Joey Tempest (Europe). The music is a perfect blend of classic metal and what we nowadays call power metal. This CD is a must!
Killer tracks: Chasing The Dragon, In Flames You Burn, Kingdom Of The Damned, The Prophecy, The Chosen Ones, Losing You
EVILIZED (2003) CENTURY MEDIA
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Line-up: Gus G. - Guitars Fredrik Nordström - Guitars and Keyboards Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals Peter Stålfors - Bass Snowy Shaw - Drums |
Sweden seems to be crowded with metal acts these days. And for some reason, half of them seem to incorporate the name Gus G. Well, maybe not. But the man has really been spreading his talent lately. 'Evilized' is Dream Evil's second album. And it's yet another killer heavy metal album. It takes about 3 second into the first track before I instantly begin to headbang to the music. It's no need to sub-categorize it in any way. It's METAL, plain and simple! What puts this band a horses head above the rest are the great songs. Of course they have a talented guitarist, and a wicked vocalist to boot. Just check out melodic monsters such as "Invisible". Do they come any better than that nowadays? 'Evilized' is also on my 2003 top 10 albums list!
Killer tracks: By My Side, Evilized, Invisible, Children Of The Night, Made Of Metal
CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT (2003) CENTURY MEDIA
(EP)
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A short, but sweet, EP released after the 'Evilized' album. Tracks 2 and 3 are previously only available as Japanese bonus tracks. The acoustic version of "Evilized" could have been dropped. But the enhanced video-clip of "Children Of The Night" is pretty cool. Man, can a melodic metal song get any more infectious than this song?
THE FIRST CHAPTER (2004) CENTURY MEDIA
(Single)
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On this CD-single you get an edited version of 'The Book Of Heavy Metal', and the alum track, "Tired". But the main reason for owning it, of course, is the non-album track, "Point Of No Return". This is yet another trademark Dream Evil tune, and would have fir nicely on any of the bands albums.
THE BOOK OF HEAVY METAL (2004) CENTURY MEDIA
(CD & DVD)
CD:
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Line-up: Gus G. - Guitars Fredrik Nordström - Guitars and Keyboards Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals Peter Stålfors - Bass Snowy Shaw - Drums Guests: Mats Olausson - Organ & Keyboards on 2, 5, 8, 12 Andy Alkman - 2nd Lead Vocals on 4 Per Edvardsson - Harmony Vocals on 5, 11 |
DVD:
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Can this band do no wrong? I mean, this is their 3rd killer album in a row. And this time the title of the album tells it all! This is text book heavy metal. Man, there are no other metal acts out there today that sounds more 80's metal, yet still manages to sound fresh, than these guys. Here they have even turned it up a notch, removing most of the modern power metal elements, and just concentrating on the pure 80's sound. What makes it all the more enjoyable is the clean, yet powerful production. There is no denying the professionalism that lies within Dream Evil. So all the nagging about their looks and lyrics is wasted on me, because I'm swallowing it, hook, line and sinker! From the catchy title-track, to the Ozzy Osbourne influenced "No Way", to the semi-power ballad "Chosen Twice" (complete with an orchestra and children's choir!), it is absolutely certain, 'The Book Of Heavy Metal' can be found at a top spot on my 2004 Top 20 list!
My limited deluxe double-digipak edition includes an enhanced video-clip of the title-track, and a 60-minute bonus DVD, with live and making-of documentaries.
Killer tracks: They are all great, but check out The Book Of Heavy Metal (March Of The Metallians), Crusaders' Anthem, Chosen Twice & M.O.M
UNITED (2006) CENTURY MEDIA (Limited Edition
with 3" bonus CD)
CD:
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Line-up: Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals Markus Black - Lead Guitar Fredrik Nordström - Rhythm Guitar and Keyboards Peter Stålfors - Bass Pat Power - Drums Guests: Kurt Olsson aka Lasse Brandeby - Guest "Vocals" on 11 Gus G. - Lead guitar on 12 Snowy Shaw - Drums, Guitar and backing vocals on 12 |
3":
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With fear and trembling I read that Gus G. and Snowy Shaw were both leaving Dream Evil. Surely a band cannot stand strong after loosing such key members? But Dream Evil isn't just another band. They are one of the finest metal bands of today, and yes, they have managed to carry on as if nothing has happened at all! 'United' is the logical follow up to 'The Book of Heavy Metal'. It continues down the already well trodden path of excellent releases from what is definitely becoming one of my all time favorite metal bands! This is heavy, this is melodic, this is catchy and this is irresistible. The title track alone will leave your face with the biggest grin ever! Another full-on metal anthem for sure. This is the foundation of what heavy metal was build on, and for that I will always show my respect towards this band. Norwegians and Swedish listeners might get a cool "flashback" from the guest appearance from Kurt Olsson, a comedian from our past. "My Number One" is a cover of the Greek winning contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005. The original song was sung by Elena Paparizou.
My Special Limited Edition comes with a bonus 3" CD, including 5 more songs of headbanging pleasure.Killer tracks: Another one with all killers (except the cover tune). Check out "Fire! Battle! In Metal!", "United" and "Doomlord"!
Gus G. guest appearances:
Rob Rock - 'Eyes Of Eternity'
Cans - 'Beyond The Gates'
Pagan's Mind - 'Infinity Divine' 2004
Arch Enemy - 'Doomsday Machine'
Rob Rock - 'Garden Of Chaos'
Fredrik Nordström guest appearances:
In Flames - 'The Jester Race'
In Flames - 'Colony'
Peter Stålfors guest appearances:
HammerFall - 'Glory To The Brave' (as writer)
Related artists: