Album Review: Dream Evil -Metal Gods

In heavy metal circles, "Metal Gods" is synonymous with the legendary pioneers Judas Priest and second track on their breakout LP British Steel. Thus, when Sweden’s Dream Evil titled its first record in seven years Metal Gods and created cover art featuring a creature that appears to be a fusion of the “hellion” from Screaming for Vengeance and “metallion” from Defenders of the Faith, it was fair to wonder why the band chose to emulate the immortal Priest in such a conspicuously overt manner.

The answer became eminently clear when listening to the opening title track of Dream Evil’s seventh record, which pays homage to many of metal’s legendary acts by referencing many legendary records: Black Sabbath (“we sold our souls for rock n’ roll”, the Sabs' first compilation); Priest (“when Priest unleashed in the east”, an ode to the seminal live record); Iron Maiden (referencing the spectacular Number of the Beast and Piece of Mind); Saxon (“the eagle has landed in the night”, alluding to the band's excellent live album), and; Manowar (mentioning Battle Hymns). The concept is similar to Night Demon “Maiden Hell” (an unadulterated tribute to Maiden) and Sum 41 “Fat Lip” (“Maiden and Priest were the gods that we praised”), but with even more painstaking references to classic early-80’s metal records by massively influential titans of the genre.

Dream Evil is in fine form throughout the record, with vocalist Niklas Isfeldt belting out massive choruses throughout, including on the second track 'Chosen Force,' during which the band channels their inner “Kings of Metal” with lyrics such as “we march into battle and death, straight for our enemies…we slay every soldier in sight, nobody will be left alive.” The same subject matter is addressed in 'The Tyrant Dies At Dawn' and 'Fight in the Night,' which are complete with “gang” choruses in the vein of Helloween and Hammerfall that are prevalent in European power metal.

Guitarists Markus Fristedt and Fredrik Nordstrom (also the band's mastermind) supply plenty of power throughout, with Fristedt providing several inspiring solos and harmonized leads. The duo’s guitar work is on display during 'Lightning Strikes,' another battle anthem, during which Isfeldt defiantly proclaims “we’ll never let you win” and “we are courageous, we will never give in.”

The sixth track - 'Master of Arms' - is the first mid-tempo number that is nonetheless aggressive, with Isfeldt detailing hunting unsuspecting enemies during the dark of the night. 'Born in Hell' explores similar concepts and is among the heaviest songs on the record and resembles Priest’s Firepower material. 'Insane' is an anthemic track that highlights Sören Fardvik on the drums as well as Isfeldt’s vocals, including layered vocal harmonies during the pre-chorus and chorus.

The penultimate 'Night Stalker' is an eerie song about a remorseless and compassionless serial killer, during which Isfeldt ominously warns “the next one might be you”.  On album closer 'Y.A.N.A.', bassist Peter Stålfors lays down the rhythm over which Isfeldt sings about the passage of time and scars that are yet to heal, proclaiming "to me you are nothing", "nothing at all."

Overall, Metal Gods is among Dream Evil’s heaviest work, and a welcome addition to a consistent catalogue that includes the classic debut Dragon Slayer record and conceptually similar The Book of Heavy Metal.

Rating: 7.5 / 10

Track List

1. Metal Gods
2. Chosen Force
3. The Tyrant Dies At Dawn
4. Lightning Strikes
5. Fight in the Night
6. Masters of Arms
7. Born in Hell
8. Insane
9. Night Stalker
10. Y.A.N.A