I was looking for a way to start this review properly and I have to say it was harder than I thought.
Of course Dream Evil is a well-known band and very respectable too. After two rugged album releases they strike back with their third full length CD.
The Book of Heavy Metal surprised me in various ways. I was expecting something from the band's known music formula and instead of that, I discover something different, something new. Remember the incredible fast tunes? Well, don't get me wrong but forget it. If we dispense two songs, the whole album moves into more mid tempo tracks.
The title opener The Book of Heavy Metal is by far the best song of this release. Starts with an epic cry and nails the listener down to the ground. Somehow this track took me to a different time, where slaves suffered and evil masters ruled the world. You can feel the pain, the anger and the wrath in Niklas' voice at the refrain. It's like calling you to set him free and thousands of suffering people obey and follow him to the way of freedom.
Moving on to Into The Moonlight we can take an idea of how the album sounds in general. Gus G and Fredrik Nordström are two very talented guitarists and they've managed to record some of the best heavy metal compositions released in the last years. Amazing solos and catchy riffs mixed with harmonic keyboard melodies and an extremely tight rhythm section, thanks to Peter Stalfors and Snowy Shaw.
The first fast song, out of two, is called No Way and the band reminds us of the good old days of Dragonslayer. Outstanding vocal lines, hellish double drum bass tunes and Gus G emulates Fredrik in the guitar solos. Chosen Twice proves to be the most complicated track (in my opinion) in the entire album. Vocal choruses meet keyboard solos, while the band mixes some wind instruments.
The production is once again crystal clear and you can understand each word Niklas is singing without reading the lyrics. Although, I have to say the bass guitar sounds a bit ahead in some songs but that's not a problem at all. Snowy's drum-sound is very heavy and massive. The guitars are volumed to the max and guide you to destroy everything in your way.
Other than that, the following songs are a bit tirering because of the consecutive flow of the rhythm. All you hear is the same mid-tempo beat with different melodies and vocal lines. Of course the band's performance is extremely good and Niklas' voice is outstanding once more, but this isn't enough guys.
Overall, I have to say Dream Evil surprised me in quite a good way with this release. The band is moving forward to the next step of it's career. Yes it's different, but it's recognizable too... after all, who wants to hear the same tunes in every release? I find The Book of Heavy Metal a very rewarding release coming from a high toward metal band and I am sure the heavy metal fans will discover one of the best CD releases for the year 2004 (so far).
Release date : May 31st, 2004