Label: Century Media Records
Date: July 26th, 2024
As Frederik Nordström would say – the laziest metal band on the moon is back! 25 years they are writing the book of heavy metal, and now, Swedish metal gods released their seventh album after seven years, entitled simply as that – “Metal Gods”.
Although they are my personal metal Gods, the band is not overbearing as some might think and pointing to themselves in this song. Using a platitude metal Gods, they actually pay tribute to their idols. And after this song, if any unimaginative journalist asks them a question about their influences, they should simply generically quote the lyrics of this song.
With a title like this, all you can expect is a metal anthem, in the range of “The Book of Heavy Metal”, “Children of the Night”, “Into the Moonlight”, “Fire! Battle! In Metal!”, “Blind Evil”, “Bang Your Head”, “See the Light”… And if I think twice, 90% of their songs are anthems.
After listening to the first single, released on May 31st, I confirmed why I love Dream Evil this much. This is pure heavy metal, made without any pressure, without an idea of commercial success. This is the music that comes from the heart and soul. Music made with passion, easily written lyrics that inject the spirit of good old times when I was growing up and discovering metal. And the album “Metal Gods”?
Nordström explains:
“This album has a theme of fighting. Dragonslayer was about dragons, and most of the other albums have been about metal, but this one is about fighting, and every song is about a battle of some kind, for some reason! Maybe because our bass player has been writing a lot of the lyrics, and he’s a big IRON MAIDEN fan, and they’ve written a lot of songs about the same thing.”
In this battle, Dream Evil shows that this is the band that will always be on your side, because they are the chosen force. And when you hear “The Chosen Force”, is it only about me or does anybody else connect it with “The Chosen One“, “The Unchosen One“ and “Chosen Few“?
“The Tyrant Dies at Dawn” leads with a powerful choir part that leads to an amazing solo and after Niklas starts singing you will conclude that this is the band that you simply have to recognize by their formed style and recognizable vocals. A vocal with an attitude. A vocal with a character. A vocal with balls. Speaking of that, it just crossed my mind… Their live stream from Studio from June, 2020…
“I hope you enjoy it because we don’t… Too old, too bold, too fat, too tired”.
That is the singer with an attitude, with a character, with the balls… And that innocence and honesty is actually their trademark over the years and indicator of their philosophy. The music is a hobby, the band is fun… Simply as that. The key to success.
These days we have horrible storms all over Europe, so the “Lightning Strikes” might be the perfect hymn for the summer season of 2024. Energetic, classic metal song. You never know where the lightning strikes. But in the case of Dream Evil, their music strikes straight to metal synapses.
“Fight in the Night” is a bit heavier, with a pounding rhythm, simply recognizable Dream Evil sound. And here maybe the best Sören Fardvik, whose debut album “Metal Gods” is, demonstrates the power of his tool – drums.
“Masters of Arms” is obviously inspired by the Judas Priest opus. Here again, powerful vocals stand out, backing vocals enhance the overall sound while Mark Black just proves his guitar skills.
Next one, “Born in Hell”, speeds up again. Here I like the diversity of sound and vocals and change of pace.
“Insane” is one of the so honest songs which lyrics some might consider silly, shallow or whatever, but again, this is Dream Evil, and if they can sing “It doesn’t matter where you go, he’s always there, that fucking Snowy Shaw” and buy you for all time, it is absolutely allowed to be brutal to the core and say “Don’t wanna hear you, don’t wanna see you, don’t wanna to hear your name… You are insane, so leave me be… Don’t need your love… Get out…”. And when Niklas sings don’t need your love, pop back vocals might surprise you.
Night Stalker is the song about serial killer and sex offender Richard Ramirez. Lyrically, absolute winner!
What is Dream Evil without (powerful) ballads? “Y.A.N.A.” closes this album. Again, sharp as a knife, painfully honest lyrics. This is not the first time that Dream Evil are using abbreviations in their song titles (remember “H.M.J.”) but unlike some bands, they are very transparent when it comes to lyrics so you will easily find out what Y.A.N.A. means.
If you are working on an album with the theme of fighting, what else can be the perfect choice for an album cover if not a powerful and majestic creature such as griffin, a symbol of power, authority, courage, victory, leadership…
Considering that Nordström is rated as one of the best metal producers it is unnecessary to comment on the production of this album.
Dream Evil is one of those bands that you know what to expect when you hear it. Advantage or disadvantage, decide for yourself. They certainly don’t care.
