Metal Dreams Volume 2Various Artists |
|
The second installment of the "Metal Dreams" series features sixteen full-bodied tracks from some of your favorite metal artists mainly presented in a different light. Nuclear Blast's first compilation of a year ago must have gone over so well, that here we are a year later and volume 2 finds its way into the light. And for anyone paying attention, the ballerina frolicking in the clouds on the front cover plays no minor significance as it applies to the material that lies therein. Beginning with Finnish powerhouse Stratovarius, and their "Neon Light Child" ballad, and finishing off with Macbeth, doing what is perhaps the deepest "cut" of all, the material ranges only mildly in terms of style from those that of the power metal variety, to those of the Goth-flavor and melody range, and even those not heard from in several years. In fact, in skimming down the likes of Iced Earth, Sinner and Helloween - doing "Forever and One" here from the "Time of the Oath" release-then up pops Skid Row going back to their '89 debut and "18 & Life!" Not a bad song and I know they haven't recorded together in a while but to find this in the midst of what's mostly comprised of powerful Euro-metal acts, a bit odd to say the least. And to take it a step further, by song ten, following Lacrimosa - and talk about diversity-look out, it's Mr. Big doing… you guessed it! So now that we've gotten that out of the way, has anybody seen Extreme? Not that either of the two bands disgrace the entire compilation, but they are slightly out of their element I think. The material all spans the lighter side of the music from otherwise ferocious acts, all different from each other in their own respects - Steel Prophet, an otherwise power metal superior even manages to tone down with "Earth & Sky" in what is probably the top two tracks here, and stuff like Sonata Artica and To Die For, two late signings to the Nuclear Blast roster and equally promising with their electro-Goth creations. Definitely a step above yesterday's collections that featured mainly pop - metal groups doing their '80s power ballad sugar coated ear candy, "Metal Dreams-Volume 2" catches several of today's talents a little off guard but easily exhibits the outstanding talents and superior musical quality they each possess. But don't expect to get your gears shifting out of second gear for this one… it was made to be played at slow speeds and gentle volume… Released by Nuclear
Blast Records, Haupstrasse 109 - 73072 Dusseldorf. Germany Review by Vinnie Apicella |