Hall of the Olden Dreams [Import]

Dark Moor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 27, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Spv Germany
• ASIN: B000056IKA
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,520 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ceremony

2. Somewhere in Dreams

3. Maid of Orleans

4. Bells of Notre Dame

5. Silver Lake

6. Mortal Sin

7. The Sound of the Blade

8. Beyond the Fire

9. Quest for the Eternal Fame

10. Hand in Hand

Editorial Reviews

DARK MOOR THE HALL OF THE OLDEN DREAMS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Moor's best album, August 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hall of the Olden Dreams (Audio CD)

What can I say? I love this band!!! Let me tell you about them... They are a power metal band from Spain, but they sing in English, like most heavy metal bands do nowadays. What makes them different from other bands? They had a female lead singer with a very powerful voice. I warn you, you will notice her spanish accent, but I'm sure it won't bother you. Why am I speaking in the past tense? Because, unfortunately, Elisa Martin, the singer, has left the band, along with two other members, and they are now called Dreamaker. Dark Moor has hired a male singer, but neither Dark Moor nor Dreamaker has released an album yet. Their style can be compaired to Rhapsody's, they play epic power metal, with lots of choruses. They don't have many ballads, and my advise on them is to skip them! They are definitely not their strong point.
Now, why do I love this particular album? It starts with "The Ceremony", a great instrumental which introduces us to my favourite song in the whole album: "Somewhere in Dreams". This is such a powerful song, and so different from what I am used to in the power metal scene... Check it out! "Maid of Orleans" and "Bells of Notre Dame" are also great, but the song that follows, "Silver Lake" is awesome! "Mortal Sin" is also nice. Then we have "The Sound of the Blade", the ballad, which as I told you before, is not exactly the best song in the album. Following that we have "Beyond the Fire", I love the way Elisa sings this song... The next song is "Quest for the Eternal Flame", the longest one in the album. This is your typical epic song, with a wonderful chorus. "Hand in hand" is also nice, but doesn't stand out in the album.
This is Dark Moor's second album, and although the third one "The Gates of Oblivion" is perhaps a more mature album, I prefer "Hall of..." The songs are really catchy, and they don't sound repetitive, whereas "The Gates..." may sound boring at first.
I hope you give this album a chance! As you can guess from my review, I highly reccommend it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stimulant that Takes Your Breath Away, May 5, 2005

By 

Frosty Cold One "earthpigsprotege" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hall of the Olden Dreams (Audio CD)

If this CD became embedded in my car stereo, I would probably not bother to have it forcibly removed for quite a while. This is a classic: I venture to say that it will still be seen decades from now as a masterpiece.

'Hall of the Olden Dreams' exhibits a tremendous improvement from their debut Shadowland, which unfortunately has been described elsewhere in at least one review as "deplorable." That critique is harsh; rather, I consider Shadowland to be a document showcasing the creativity of a band destined to blossom into one of the finest metal acts so far this century.
With 'Hall' we notice that Elisa has either improved her singing skills or that the mixing has smoothed the edges of her vocals. Really, Elisa is what (who) ultimately makes Dark Moor rise above. While not displaying the seductive qualities / operatic voice of Tarja T. [Nightwish], there is nonetheless something extremely intoxicating about Elisa's powerful vocals.
The lyrics are a little bit funny translation-wise, but I give the band credit for their attempts -- hey, I certainly can't write original lyrics in Spanish! (There is nothing more pathetic than an American metalhead complaining about the heavy accent of foreign singers).

Most of the tracks exhibit a certain mastery of music (at least evident in the keyboards) that is realized more fully in their 3rd album, 'Gates of Oblivion.' It seems that most critics prefer 'Gates' over 'Hall,' but 'Hall' is the disc that I keep returning to. The songs on their 2nd album are not marred by unrestrained double bass drums -- a shortcoming of their 3rd album.
Simply put, the 2nd album is catchier. I feel that "Silver Lake" is the highlight of the album, along with the closing track (classical scales abound). These two songs especially are breathtaking, leaving the listener with a distinct impression of genius in composition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Symphonic Epic Melodic Power Metal band, April 11, 2001

By 

Dark Moor (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hall of the Olden Dreams (Audio CD)

This is one of the best-new bands i have heard. Actually this is a spanish band most of them aren't so famous, but this band is special because of the english singing. The sound is perfect because it where recorded on an italian studio (the same that labyrinth recorded "Return To Heaven Denied"). The vocals are pretty clear, and is awesome because it sings a woman. But the most interesting thing about the songs are the CHORUS are pritty elaborated and at the same time easy to learn and follow. Another good stuff; i always like from an album is the cover by itself, the cover was make by Andreas Marshall same one who draw for Blind Guardian and Hammerfall. This band have very good influences which combining them gives a very good quality of band. Most of the influences are: Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Symphony X, Angra, Rhapsody, Helloween, Nightwish, Dream Theater. In conclusion this band really worth the 5 stars and more, it should win the "best new band". If you like any of these bands mentioned this is your percfect album to buy. This CD worth every cent from your pocket, i will recommend it to any power metal fan. You will be possessed with the CD!!!