Certain musicians ooze the right attitude in a specific style upon the first note played. Such is the case for Swedish band Dream Evil – as Metal Gods continues their crusade to keep the traditional, power aspects that have been a part of their sound since arriving on the scene through Dragonslayer the debut album in 2002 alive decades later. Twin guitar harmonies, uplifting main riffs full of muscle, soaring vocal melodies, as well as thunderous bass/drum foundational framework takes these ten tracks into the lands very familiar to those who love Accept, Dio, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar, Saxon and others in that mold. Yet also developing a sound that can appeal to not just that original generation, but also sons, daughters, and subsequent younger headbangers.
Possessing a multiple songwriter approach in various formats (sometimes working together in unison on a specific idea, other times one main member coming to the table with a song) allows the record to have a dynamic, diverse template even in this focused framework. Where many bands would have started the record on a high octane, double kick extravaganza like “The Tyrant Dies At Dawn”, the group felt that the crushing, mid-tempo title cut and follow-up, semi-commercial sounding “Chosen Force” were the proper kick off numbers to the record – and this scribe agrees. Midway through the record, “Fight in the Night” has more of that crunchy, attacking atmosphere through its main riff, allowing vocalist Niklas Isfeldt to develop a bit more of his wide array of Halford meets King Diamond-esque falsetto notes especially during the unforgettable, call to response-oriented chorus. Mark Black and Fredrik Nordström serve as complimentary axe players filling the aural landscape with vigor – executing those head levelling parts in “Born in Hell” plus “Night Stalker” that cause hairs to stand on edge, spine chilling as blood courses through your veins. Even the closer “Y.A.N.A.” as a semi-power ballad touches that emotional deepness that recalls Dio-era Black Sabbath all the way through to early W.A.S.P., leaving listeners yearning for more as a great send off should.
Hitting North America again this coming September for a ProgPower USA festival appearance, Metal Gods may come seven years after the last outing Six, but good things come to those willing to wait as they say. The ubiquitous nature to classic heavy metal never dies, especially in the hands of artists like Dream Evil who strive to deliver memorable, high-quality songs through every release. Another standout that should keep all children of the damned screaming for vengeance to the power and the glory at the gates of Valhalla.