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 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 - 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.
To take it a step further, by song ten, following Lacrimosa (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 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.
