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| Flaming, indeed by Cosmo Lee |
Fredrik Nordström has one of metal’s most glittering production discographies. Slaughter of the Soul, The Jester Race, The Gallery, Still Life, Wages of Sin, A Predator’s Portrait — the list goes on and on. Basically, he is Fenriz’ worst nightmare. He is also in a power metal band called Dream Evil. Until recently, I did not know this. I don’t really follow modern power metal, except to make fun of it.
So I thought In the Night (Century Media, 2010), which comes out today, would be another “Power metal LOL”-fest. Just look at those promo photos! Look at the album cover! Even in an age of horrific Photoshop graphic design, it’s bad. I am so not the target audience.
And yet I like this. It’s not full-on cheese like Dragonforce or Freedom Call. Instead, it’s mostly mid-paced, like Wolf — Nordström produced The Black Flame — but con un poco más queso. There’s the obligatory Eurometal piano ballad. It’s called…wait for it…”The Ballad.”
We are made of metal
Our hearts are made of steel
Even if we’re stained with blood
You know we’ve kept that sex appeal
Edguy must be green with envy. But I won’t lie. I’ve banged my head (and probably my IQ) to this record. I may have thrown a goat. If you like Judas Priest’s “Eat Me Alive” — the greatest gay metal anthem of all time — you’ll like this. Just don’t forget: no glove, no love.
Amazon (MP3)
Amazon (CD)
Relapse (CD)
The End (CD, ltd. ed. mediabook)
CM Distro (CD, ltd. ed. mediabook)
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Dream Evil are hilarious. Check out "The Book of Heavy Metal" – song and video clip – pure gold.
"Yes, read it!"
I think you are, at least partly, their target audience, as this is a self-aware, tongue in cheek take on Europower. Axxis, posted below, are honest-to-god 'we like this music so we made this music' types (at least by cursory examination, I didn't exactly delve into the Axxis lore to make my call), this is more Spinal Tap-ish, and hence, can be enjoyed by people who are more afraid to be the butt of a joke because here they can be in on the joke.
Great way to start off the day. Thanks Cosmo.
Horrible.. Horrible..
After returning from my metal hiatus I picked up a metal comp called Metal for the Masses, to see what was going on. Besides being horrified at the proliferation/bastardization of metalcore and all of the "high fructose corn syrup metal", I discovered "The Book of Heavy Metal". Since everything else was so bad (even The Haunted were singing), I just figured that these guys were dead serious. As I look back on it I realize that there's no way they could be serious. But then again… Manowar exists… So who the hell knows?
Anyway, I declare The Book of Heavy Metal the GREATEST cheese metal song EVER! You really have to check out the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-pN8qAiZhQ
I want a sledge hammer on a chain!
I am not going to lie to you, Dream Evil's "Dragonslayer" is a fucking awesome record. If you like Maiden or Priest, it's not such a stretch, really. It's not Rhapsody or Blind Guardian or, as you mentioned, fucking Dragonforce. Probably one of my favorite power metal records.
I like this new album – it's power metal for sure, but the production is heavy/modern. I'm into it.
Lead Lead Guitars!
Lead Drums…as opposed to Backing Drums
The Book Of Heavy Metal has priceless lyrics. Example:
"Don't need no flashy house, no car or ugly wife/
The only thing I want, is what my parents don't"
Gus G. and Snowy Shaw used to be in the band too, which upped the musical talent a bit.
Why do power metal liner notes always have a "THE BAND" tagline next to the photos?
Side of Steel Panther, anyone??
http://www.six-something.org/images/Pantera-power_metal.jpg
Unless you listen to 2006's "Unite" you have no idea how tongue in cheek this band really is.
From a song called "Fire! Battle! In Metal!" to a cover of a Eurovision song, it is pure unadulterated cheese.
OK, this band is indeed cheesy. That video for "The Book of Heavy Metal" was something else. Thanks for sharing, Miskatonic.
Also, Joe, "Rexx Rocker" is a fine gay pr0n name.
Indeed it is. Indeed it is. I think that Diamond Darrell is a pretty sweet gay porn name too.
you ask that like there's a difference.
BTW I always thought "Between the Hammer and the Anvil" was the most homoerotic Judas Priest song ever. I get goosebumps whenever I hear that song.
Never straight and narrow
I won't keep in time
Tend to bend the arrow out of line
Been inclined to wander
Off the beaten track
That's where there's thunder
And the wind shouts back
Grinder – looking for the meat
Grinder – wants you to eat
I'd have to put Turbonegro's "Denim Demon" even above Priest as the greatest gay metal anthem ever.
Got my own congregation -
I am a saint for seamen -
And I am – And I am -
I am a denim demon -
I've got my penis steaming -
And your asshole screaming : HELP! -
Outside of society – Good Head ! Good Head !
Look what I started [shakes head].