Book of Heavy Metal [Enhanced, CD+DVD]

Dream Evil, Dream Devil | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, CD+DVD
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B0002CHJWI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,254 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Book of Heavy Metal (March of the Metallians)

2. Into the Moonlight

3. The Sledge

4. Crusaders' Anthem

5. No Way

6. Tired

7. Chosen Twice

8. M.O.M.

9. The Mirror

10. Only for the Night

11. Unbreakable Chain

Editorial Reviews

Japanese limited CD/DVD edition of the Swedish melodic metal act's third album is scheduled for earliest release. Details TBA. King Records. 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you thought Dragon Slayer was cheesy...., July 24, 2004

By 

John. N (Big Run, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of Heavy Metal (Audio CD)

Is it just me or is Dream Evil trying to beat out Hammerfall in the heavy metal cheese department (Remember Hearts on Fire (Hearts, Hearts, Hearts, Hearts...)? But I'm not really one to talk here because I own and like all the Hammerfall and Dream Evil albums.

When I first heard what the title of this album was going to be The Book of Heavy Metal, I was expecting a heavily cliche-ridden album like Dragon Slayer, and this is pretty much hits the nail on the head. While Dragon Slayer never really bothered me with it constant use of the words Die, Lightning, Fighting, and Dragon in the lyrics (I DARE you to count their usage throughout that ENTIRE CD - I did for a laugh, as I have no life...) as much as it did some, but the whole heavy metal thing in this album tested my patience at first (most metal bands are satisfied with one song per album about how great and awesome metal is, but this is overkill!), but since I love this cheesy stuff, I learned to like it after a few spins.

Yet it just boggles my mind why the band would make another cliche-ridden album like Dragon Slayer when many people didn't care for Dragon Slayer for that reason. Evilized took a positive step away from the cheese of Dragon Slayer, but why revert back? I guess that's why I'm not a musician (that and the fact I have no musical aptitude what-so-ever, so I just listen).

The album does at least gain a star for the The Book of Heavy Metal video on disc one (doesn't Snowy Shaw look freaky?) and the bonus DVD. I was quite surprised to their inclusion, and it really was a thoughtful touch to include those in the package at no real extra charge to the consumer/fan. Overall, The Book of Heavy Metal is worth picking up if you like Dream Evil. If you didn't like the first two albums, this album isn't going to change your opinion...

Are you a Man or a Mouse? (I can't stop laughing over that song!)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Metal and proud of it., January 6, 2006

By 

Toxic Teleblaster (Omaha NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of Heavy Metal (Audio CD)

You know, I like this cd and this group, yeah these guys aren't doing anything ground breaking but at least they are proud of playing Heavy Metal and damn good at it as well. The CD is entertaining and I can remember the songs after I have listened to them, and that is a good thing in my book(of heavy metal) ..


Rock on to Dream Evil!!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dream Evil goes Heavy Metal (sorta), November 5, 2004

By 

Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book of Heavy Metal (Audio CD)

Dream Evil is a relatively new band from Sweden who to date have, in short succession released three albums. The odd thing about these albums is that each one has a somewhat different style. Their first, Dragon Slayer, as you can tell from the title, was a Power Metal effort and for a debut was well received. Their followup album, Evilized was a crossover endeavor with elements of their original power metal leanings and straight heavy metal.

Dream Evil is joint venture of producer Fredrik Nordstrom and guitarist Gus G., both of whom sensed that, together they could become a strong force in the metal world. Assembling a power metal band with drummer Snowy Shaw and vocalist Niklas Isfeldt (who sounds intriguingly like the Scorpion's Klaus Meine), the band recorded Dragon Slayer and released it in the summer of 2002. In 2003, Evilized put a new spin on their sound, offering several self-consciously silly lyrics that fit well into their new and improved approach. With their latest release The Book Of Heavy Metal, the band gets behind their remarkable singer, Isfelt and creates an album that, if it doesn't sound like the Scorpions at least has all the ingredients of them. This is by far their most accomplished and in my opinion their best album.

Highlights

"Book of Heavy Metal" Despite a pretty uniform tempo BOHM offers a nice variety of sounds. With a constant almost native sounding beat in the background this song is an up tempo driving song with Isfelt spanning a wide vocal range, including some high pitched screams and with band members singing the choruses.

"Let's Make Rock" Starts out with a Slash type intro then morphs into a Eddie Van Halen style guitar whine after each sentence. Again the band does vocal backing, which adds a nice variety to the vocals. "Let's Make Rock" is a guitar lover's song.

"Chosen Twice" is my kind of song. This for me is the pinnacle of the album and I would buy the album to possess it. Starting out with a sad whining guitar that to me seems as if is asking a question, before Isfelt sings this beautiful song with a sad refrain. What's really great is that "Chosen Twice" has the backing of a choir and perhaps an orchestra. A Masterpiece!

Well known keyboardist Mats Olausson lends a hand as guest musician on the songs "Into The Moonlight", "Crusaders' Anthem", "Chosen Twice" & "Unbreakable Chain"

CONCLUSION

The Book Of Heavy Metal is about as close as you can get to five stars without quite making it, with three five star songs and five, four and a half star songs.

Now, I know I kept referring to the Scorpions but let me emphasize, they are NOT a ripoff. Isfelt can't help it he sounds a little like Meine and the bands material is too original to be a rip off so let's just say Dream Evil parallels The Scorpions, so don't fight it, enjoy it!