I’m kvlt as fvk me. Got my Lamp Of Murmuur longsleeve, my Black Cilice vinyl and Askog demo tape set and Wynter Myst cassette. Actually that’s all true, apart from the kvlt bit. I’m kvlt as fvk all. But I bloody love my quality black metal though, I really do. Still every now and then what you need is music that just slaps a good big grin in your face. As it says in my bio I’ve got no time for people who think you can only enjoy some metal in an ironic ‘oh it’s so cheesy’ way. Films, sure, but music? Get over yerself. If it’s good, just enjoy it.
As long as it’s not pirate metal of course… I have standards. Kind of.
Ahem. Off the point. Back to it. Dream Troll.
I’ve run into these guys twice live and both times had a seriously good time. To the point I bought the CDs on the merch table. But I have to say on record I felt something often lacked. Either too many songs, or songs that outstayed their welcome a bit.
Then I heard this one was really bad.
Which confused me as I’d caught a sample of the opening track ‘The Tormentor’ and thought it sounded great.
So here we are, hitting play… ‘The Tormentor’ rides in on bright guitar and bouncing bass and a glorious melody line that crashes into their keyboard drenched chorus. The vocals a fine, a nice bit of grit but melodic and backed up by the gang backing vocals. I’m grinning, see. Just a big grin. Their sound is best described as classic rock marinaded in NWOBHM spices. Sometimes the keyboards are so gloriously up front you start thinking of Angel but there is a great English joy here that grounds it all.
‘She Got The Devil Inside’ is a bit heavier, a high energy fantastic drive up its spine and again that chorus is great. Lyrics? Well sure this is all fantasy and horror stuff but a) I love Blue Oyster Cult and Visigoth both and b) so bloody what? Lovely guitar and keyboard work, some nicely shifting drumming and the always up-front bass and classy, crowd pleasing hooks. Come on how can that be wrong.
Besides, some of these lyrics are actually rather neat.
The nicely titled ‘Winner Takes Nothing’ is a breathless gallop down the highway. Now I will mention something here, as this does showcase one minor quibble so to speak: Every now and then there is a section, either a short choppy repeated section or a repeated vocal line that does stretch out too long, making it dangerously close to outstaying its welcome. But when the vast majority of a song like ‘Here Comes Chaos’ is so absolutely packed with memorable melodies, a lovely arrangement balancing the guitars and keyboards to the point I’m thinking about Janick Gers old band White Spirit and vocals with real character these are indeed just quibbles.
Ah look there isn’t a duff song here. Its short length of around thirty minutes is frankly goddamned perfect for your massive dose of heavy metal sugar. The energy, hooks and arrangement are clicking into the red all the way through and they have the musical chops to do it. A bit of length pruning here and there just to make sure the snap and pop doesn’t fade before a couple of songs end and these guys will be producing something even more jaw dropping. It simply unpretentious, honest, down to earth heavy metal. Nothing here that a fan of Sellsword or High Spirits or Visigoth or Herzel should hate. Even old geezers like me who remember Dark Star, early Magnum, Geddes Axe etc will get all misty eyed.
And smile. This is music to make you smile and want to have a drink and a dance with your mates. There’s surely room for that in all our lives.
1/10
Sorry, just kidding..
(8/10 Gizmo)
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