Dream of Illusion
Decadence
Rating
Style: Progressive Metal
Release date: 14 January, 2011
Playing time: 59:22
 

One of the first surprises dor me this year is yet another Italian band. The band combines power metal with traditional metal in a progressive Dream Theater kind of style. The record was already self released in 2009, but fortunately it will be better available now. After a short intro, the album opens with one of the best songs of the album. Heavy riffs, good vocal performance and a very melodic and catchy refrain form the solid base of this song.

"Mistery" opens very fast and slows down during the chorus after which the song speeds up again. Vocalist Francesco Valentini is a decent vocalist, but in some songs he just tries to sing a bit too high, if he can improve that on the next record, it will be even a better one. Most of the songs are very open, but they sound progressive too. The biggest advantage is that they know how to write catchy choruses, that makes their songs very accessible. With "Two Skies" the album has its ballad too, but I cannot say that it impressed me a lot. "Interlude" is a short dance/house interlude, after which "Dream of Illusion" sets off. Another strong track with good vocals and heavy riffs, it even contains a neo-classical guitar solo. It is in this song that the band Six Minute Century entered my mind, probably another band not known by many, but there are some similarities.

Strong debut-album, worth checking out, recommended!


Tracklist

01. Intro

02. The Crow

03. Spiked Rain

04. Rocker Warrior

05. Mistery

06. One Last Chance

07. End of the Storm

08. Two Skies

09. Through the Storm

10. Born to Rock

11. Interlude

12. Hysteria

13. Back to the Evil Age

14. Outro

Label: SG Records/7Hard
Promotion: Rock N Growl Hard N Heavy Promotion
Reviewed by: Reinier de Vries
Date: 1 January, 2011
Website: www.myspace.com/dreamofillusion