Today we will be taking a listen to DOCTOR SMOKE's newest release "Dreamers and the Dead".  Hailing from Ohio's Mingo Junction they fuse classic 70's hard rock with progressive metal aesthetics.  Stellar vocal arrangements are couched in a searing soup of guitar awesomeness.  The licks are progressive and catchy, the songwriting varied and engaging.  This is retro-metal done to perfection.  Let's dive into this beast.

Let's start with an admission.  I grew up on music like this.  It wasn't quite as complex or adventurous, but all the traditional elements are here.  Moderately distorted guitars, gasoline soaked blues riffing and a penchant for matches.  DOCTOR SMOKE aren't afraid to wear their influences on their proverbial "metal" sleeve, and under normal circumstances I would crucify a band with the temerity to tread where so many legends have trod before.  However, there is a difference here, because it's as if DOCTOR SMOKE are mysterious time travelers, riding the corridors of music history to finally end up in 2021.  Although they borrow heavily from the past in terms of production, songwriting and arrangements they are wholly their own distinct entity.  They've taken the best aspects of older music forms and employed them to great effect on "Dreamers and the Dead".  Let's dig deeper.

The opener "Reborn into Darkness" essentially encapsulates in five minutes what you can expect from this album.  Tight, punchy metal riffs, sinewy bass; rooting the music in that now familiar 70's production.  Drums are perfectly seated in the mix, they drive the music but don't dominate the other instruments.  I love the modern production that you see on a lot of newer metal albums, but this makes me yearn for the LP's of old.  "Out of Time" was the next stand out track for me.  The lads turn up the heat and burn off your ears with this up tempo track.  I love how the band interweaves complexity with more subdued components.  There is never a loss of forward momentum.  Each part builds in excitement and purpose, especially the wide spectrum of licks and riffs that Matt and Steve seem to endlessly weave.  I'd put them up as a team against some of the greatest duo's in metal history, they're that good.

Up next is "Been Here Forever".  Just when you think DOCTOR SLEEP can't find another gear they drop this bomb on you.  The chorus is absolutely gorgeous, the killer harmonies sung to perfection. "What Lies Beyond" delivers again.  This time the band stretch their legs with some more atmospheric passages.  It almost gave me a CYNIC "Focus" era vibe, but it's high time we talk about the solos.  As aforementioned I grew up in the 80's when solos were a real big thing.  Steve Lehocky crafts killer solo after killer solo.  He doesn't overstate things, he never lets it get boring, he just works with the music to deliver the goods.  Another major win for this release.

"Dreamers and the Dead" comes storming out of the gate with an "Awake" era DT riff.  Chugged madness propels the music forward relentlessly.  Once again the band show that they are the kings of variation.  Although most of the songs are fairly complex from a riff salad point of view, they manage to keep it under control to add just enough interest to keep the music fresh.  The only other band with this ability that I can think of is MASTODON, and point in fact DOCTOR SMOKE essentially inhabit the same sphere of music.  I must stress that this relationship is complementary in nature, they don't really compete due to the fact that there is a reasonable amount of difference in the music delivery.

"Vexed" and "The Rope" are two more worthy additions to an already jam packed album.  Every song on this release is enjoyable.  But as with everything, there is always an ending.  "This Hallowed Ground" starts off with a MAIDENesque feel (or am I just imagining that because of the title before again moving into a healthy series of movements.  No complaints here...Original, talented and firing on all cylinders DOCTOR SMOKE delivers the invisible heat.  Everything is represented.  Killer songwriting, improvisations and performances.  There is nothing not to like.  If you like metal that harkens back to the mist shrouded "early" days, this is for you.  You couldn't ask for a more enjoyable music experience.  Highly recommended for all Metalheads.