Customer Reviews

Book of Heavy Metal

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!)

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!!

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!

Is one of the greatest metal albums since Bruce Dickinson's Accident Of Birth. This album reminds me of Ozzy and Zakk Wylde on songs like "No Way" and also has a Iron Maiden feel on some of the songs like " Unbreakable Chain." I am a huge Ozzy and 80s metal fan. This isn't really power metal, though it an absolutely AMAZING cd. The bonus DVD has some great material on it as well. A must have for anyone who likes Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Helloween, Edguy, Nocturnal Rites, Megadeth, Metallica, Yngwie Malmsteen, Black Label Society, or REAL metal!!!

I hate long reviews, so here goes. The music is 5 stars and the lyrics are 1 star hence my 4-star rating. If you enjoyed their last two albums, you'll like this one too. The lyrics need definite improvement but the music still ROCKS! Still think their debut is their best release to date. These guys have great musicians with limitless potential! With better lyrics, these guys will most likely come out with some outstanding albums in the near future.

This band had gone through a very interesting transition. Their first CD, Dragonslayer, was heavily influenced by Guitarist Fredrik Nordstrom and I always considered Dream Evil to be his band. Dragonslayer is a novel put to music about slaying the dragon and other JRR Tolkien themes. The second CD, Evilized, saw the first contributions from Drummer Snowy Shaw, who has played with King Diamond in his career and I think he has 666 tattoed on his person in at least six locations. Great drummer and extremely talented, if not a bit weird (yes, I like him).

This CD, The Book of Heavy Metal, is very close to being Snowy Shaw solo CD. He wrote four of the twelve songs, almost all of the lyrics and contributed on all but one song musically. Please understand, this is not a bad thing at all. Snowy is an amazing talent and my favorite Dream Evil songs seem to come from his vault. The problem is the lyrics. I am 36 years old, which I guess makes me an old fart in the metal world. I am really past the stage of words like "I'd sign a contract with the devil" and "the only thing I want is what my parents don't", which come from the title track. Snowy's words always seem to discuss how "Rock and Roll with never die" and being "Crushed by the sledge of rock". It kind of makes the whole thing a teenage anthem of rebellion. Did I mention I was 36? I have kind of outgrown that I suppose.

However, as you can see, I gave it five stars. Why? The music is outstanding and it is played by some fantastic musicians. I believe I wrote this about Niklas Isfeldt regarding Evilized, but this guy is the best singer you have never heard of. This is the only guy I have heard in the last twenty years who I think could stand next to Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and match him note for note. The best part is that it appears he is getting better with age. He hits some new notes on this CD that I have not heard him hit before. He is truly impressive. I only hope that one day I can see Dream Evil in concert so I can see if he can repeat his vocal excellence in concert.

Gus G., lead guitarist, is a throw back. Great talent and plays some amazing stuff. If you miss the great guitar work from the seventies and eighties, you are going to love this guy. He also plays in a band called Mystic Prophecy that too explored how great of a guitarist he is. If for no other reason, buy this CD just to hear him play guitar.

The music itself reminds me of old school Black Sabbath meets the Scorpions. Lots of heavy cords all hanging around the key of E. Turn the bass up on your stereo and it is guaranteed to vibrate the floor in your house. Hey, its a fun CD. It is a metal person's best case scenario. A band that rocks hard and does not really care what mainstream has to say. The kind of a band my generation use to love and what today's kids have forgotten ever existed.

If you can look past some (not all) the cheesy lyrics and the rediculous photos on the inside of the CD sleeve, (Snowy is wearing the super spiked blonde look with football shoulder pads. He looks like a deranged defensive end for the University of Oklahoma), this CD is a real hidden gem. Check it out, you might really be surprised.

Metal hasn't been this good in a long time, at least not when it comes to new metal bands. Sure classic metalists like Iron Maiden and Rob Halford are still putting out great material, but I am delighted to have discovered Dream Evil's Dragon Slayer and The Book of Heavy Metal albums. Unlike so many of the new bands that either can't hold a melody while they scream or actually play lead guitar solos, Dream Evil delivers! As far as cheesy lyrics go...well, God is still calling to those who "dream evil."

Dream Evil are straight forward Heavy Metal like you grew up with. I can tell these guys spent hours listening to Judas Priest, Malice, Accept,and Iron Maiden. Their songs are laden with solid chugging rhythms and fast concise leads. They speed it up at times and the singer can get to those high pitched Halfordesque screams. They aren't doing anything you've never heard before but in my opinion anyone who has a resemblence to the classic metal bands is going to help fill my shelves. Other bands to check out for solid METAL are: Tad Morose, Brainstorm, Primal Fear, and Hammerfall. P.S. My CD has a bonus DVD that's just the band in a studio screwing around and talking German, useless to me.

I am a metal fan. This cd is all about metal, and making metal hence
(Book of Heavy Metal, SLedge of Rock, Let's Make Rock etc.) The band has a fantastic singer, Snowy Shaw, although not phenomenal, is good at what he does which is laying down metal beats, and Gus G. is a really really good guitarist. The only thing that brings these fellas down is the lyrics. However Ronnie James Dio, The Grand Wizard of Rock and the inventor of the rock fist, made a living writing corny lyrics as well. Bottom line is that if you like generic, cheesy heavy metal(which I happen to be a fan of) these guys take the cake. I like this album, but I would consider Appetite for Destruction: Guns&Roses or Master of Puppets: Metallica to be 5 star quality albums. Nevertheless I give it a 3 because its metal...and I like it

I think this cd is excellent.Cliches do exist throughout but this group is sincere in what they do.These guys are being called posers by some,what a joke.The guitar work and the singing is amazing.Snowy has been playing metal for years and is certainly not a fake.I think some people feel that Korn is metal or it has to be free of any melody to be metal but traditional Metal is what these guys play.I like different types of metal myself so I am not downing other styles but I know traditional metal and this stuff is true metal.Buy it,crank it!