Norwegian melodic power metal
DAWN
OF TIME (1996) INDEPENDENT
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Line-up: Jim Foss - Voices Svein Harald Kleppe - Drums, Percussions, Backing vocals Trond Are - Guitar, Backing vocals John Martin Haarr - Bass, Fretless Bass, Backing vocals Svein Magne Kleven - Keyboards |
Sea of Dreams have been likened to bands like Helloween and Gamma Ray. And if you add a touch of Queensr˙che, I think you can get an idea of what this band sounds like. Phoenix Rizing is yet another band I think they are similar too. Melodic power/speed metal with progressive hints is what we get. This kind of music is not what one usually expect from Norway in the year 1996. And that is probably why this band had to release their album themselves. So lack of proper funding to record is probably the reason for the not so good production on the album. But if the music is good, that almost always makes up for a sub par production in my book. And when track 3 kicks in, I'm digging what I hear. I do have a hard time getting into Jim's voice, though, as his over the top high pitched screams are really an acquired taste. It's not that his voice is all that bad. It's just that you really need to get used to it first. Also, you got to remember that this album was recoded with almost no budget, so I don't think they could afford to redo some of the parts that sound a bit off key. All in all "Dawn Of Time" is a decent first effort. With better production, and even tighter songwriting, Sea Of Dreams could become a band to be reckoned with. Kudos for releasing music like this at a time when metal was a swearword in the commercial word!
Killer tracks: Pain, Preach Of Fire, Under The Rainbow, Black Roses
LAND
OF FLAMES (1998) INDEPENDENT
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Line-up: Jim Foss - Voices Svein Harald Kleppe - Drums, Percussions, Backing vocals Trond Are - Guitar, Backing vocals John Martin Haarr - Bass, Fretless Bass, Backing vocals Jorgen Manke - Keyboards, Percussion, Backing Vocals |
On their second release, entitled 'Land Of Flames', Sea of Dreams are trying more to create a sound of their own. I can no longer hear any obvious influences, or similarities, like was the case on their debut. The band have become even more progressive, adding a variety of instruments, twists and turns within the songs Only 1 of the 8 tracks is clocking in under the 5 minute mark. And I'm not sure that they benefit from it. I really liked the band better when they were just giving it the full throttle. Still, at least the production is way better this time around, even though this is yet another independent release. This was to be the last album from the band, as they split up not long after it's release.
Killer tracks: Morning Wind
