DREAMLAND, DRAGONLAND, DRAGONLORD, and DREAMTONE are some of the names that have been coming up Metal lately. They all sound like and of course they have somewhat subject matter as well (except DRAGONLORD, how are you supposed to tell the difference?  Well I aim to at least figure out what the heck a DREAMLAND sounds like that is for damn sure.
DREAMLAND have been fairly lucky enough to be discovered by Joacim Cans (singer of HAMMERFALL, having fantastic talent, a fairly stable lineup, and to have Andy Laroque (KING DIAMOND) as your producer.  I would say that they are doing fairly well.  They don't have much of a history since they are a pretty new band only having released one other album, Future's Calling.  The only lineup change from the last album is drummer Marcus Skold left to the band and was replaced by Jesse Lindskog (ex-DRAGONLAND).
DREAMLAND's Eye For An Eye, which was their introduction to me, at first took me a few listens to get into.  The main reason was that they sounded so much like NOCTURNAL RITES, which at first really bugged me since I hold the last NOCTURNAL RITES in very high regard.  To me this album sounded like a sub-par Grand Illusion, however with the appropriate number of spins this disc has totally grown on me like a scab that you can't stop picking no matter how much it bleeds, ewwww.
Eye For An Eye is another release that is probably going to be overlooked by the majority of the Metal community since they are so many Power Metal and such related releases, however I think people should take a second look like I did.  The choruses are totally over top and you can sing-a-long to almost ever verse and chorus on the album to match.  To some people that may not really matter, but I love being able to sing along to an album.  It usually gives me chills or something thinking about certain songs in live settings.  Songs such as Spread Your Wings, Revolution In Paradise (my favorite track on the album), and Forever and Ever have each got their well executed vocal lines and catchy guitar parts to make you put up horns instantly.  Not to mention Jake's vocals on Forever and Ever are some of the bet I have heard in a while on a release like this particularly the line Metal Never Dies!! He just conveys it with such passion and emotion that I think it really stands out.  The one mystery about this album is who does the rough vocals on Revolution In Paradise?  Is it Jake growling or is it a guest that isn't listed on the promo sleeve?  Either way that song totally wails and dominates every other song on the album that is for sure.
I would recommend this release to any fan of Metal that forces you to sing-a-long with album and gives you an overall great feeling then this is the album for you.  I you want to hear songs about disembowelment I would suggest looking elsewhere.  Seriously though fans of NOCTURNAL RITES, THUNDERSTONE and MANOWAR please pick this up.