Review DREAM EVIL “Metal Gods”

Swedish metal band Dream Evil formed in 1999 and made their debut in 2002 with an album called “Dragonslayer”. The band, fascinated by powerful metal, released six records and managed to enter the Swedish charts with some of these releases.

After pushing “Six” into the record stores, a period of radio silence began that will come to an end in July this year. With “Metal Gods” the Swedish metal traditionists announced their seventh longplayer, which means another ten songs from the pen of Frederik Nordström and his bandmates.

The longer break between the previous release and “Metal Gods” didn’t lead to a new direction when it comes to the band’s trademarks. Counting on the power of metal and addiction of melody again, the band lives up to expectations with songs like the upbeat “The Tyrants Dies at Dawn”. Equipped with an oh-oh-oh sing-along part, the song is built for live shows.

While the faster songs are one part of the equation, it’s the bombastic elements that make songs like “Chosen Force” a metalhead’s ear candy. This is the musical framework in which Dream Evil operate, and what blows out of the speakers is power metal that isn’t loaded with innovation. Songs like the heavy pounding “Fight in the Night” are more convincing because of the powerful rhythm and a catchiness that never completely dominates but is present throughout.

Lyrics and music go hand in hand on this album. Titles like “Born in Hell” are as new as the approach to the music, but as the songs on “Metal Gods” are charged with dedication and are also well forged, the Swedish metal blacksmiths deliver music that provides a good time.

I don’t know what the Metal Gods have to say about Dream Evil’s seventh longplayer. From my point of view, however, the latest effort from the Gothenburg powerhouse features good music for having a good time with some friends and some beers.