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DREAM EVIL
Metal Gods
2024 Century Media

Swedish power metal band DREAM EVIL has returned after a seven-year hiatus with their mighty new seventh album Metal Gods. The band lineup remains the same: Niklas Isfeldt (vocals), Fredrik Nordstrom (guitar), Mark Black (lead guitar), Peter Stalfors (bass) except for new drummer Soren Fardvik, who replaces Patrik Jerksten (who had been their drummer since 2006's United).

Metal Gods differs from the band's last opus Six in that it's a little more succinct, with shorter tracks that are more to the point. The album opens with the title track (video on KNAC.COM HERE), a hymn that celebrates some of the history of Heavy Metal, and makes reference to the bands BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON, and IRON MAIDEN. "Chosen Force", (the longest track on the album at 5:07), is a solid battle song about revenge. "The Tyrant Dies At Dawn" is a galloping Viking-style anthem. There are plenty of shout-along sections and cool drum fills in this song. "Lightning Strikes" features boatloads of harmony guitar parts, and offers an infectious chorus. "Fight In The Night" is my pick for riff of the year so far. I really can't get enough of this track; it's an unstoppable chant in the trademark DREAM EVIL tradition. The band loves using the word "night" in their songs, possibly more than any other word. Vocalist Niklas Isfeldt sounds great here. (For a chuckle, check out the official video for the song on Youtube). "Masters of Arms" is a mid-tempo march that features some cool riffs and solos, while "Born In Hell" returns to ripping speed metal and an anthemic chorus. "Insane" is an accessible track with a melodic chorus. "Night Stalker" is a barnstormer that utilizes the serial killer from Southern California in 1984 as the subject. Metal Gods closes with "Y.A.N.A." (abbreviation for 'You Are Nothing At All'). Additionally, there are guest appearances by Jonathan Thorpenberg (THE UNGUIDED), Tommy Johansson (ex-SABATON) and Chris Amott (ex-ARCH ENEMY/DARK TRANQUILLITY).

Once again, I think Fredrik's production/mix of Metal Gods is right on the money, as all DREAM EVIL albums have been so far. They are easily one of the best sounding bands in the power metal genre. Each member of the band does a fantastic job on Metal Gods. The band has said this about the album: "It's a loud and clear statement for DREAM EVIL and a respectful nod to our influences as well as to the traditional melodic Heavy Metal movement in general." Metal Gods is available now as standard jewel case CD, 180gr. LP (either as black vinyl or as transparent sun yellow vinyl, limited to 300x copies) or as a digital download.

4.7 Out Of 5.0