DISCLAIMER: Everybody hide, it's a Christian Metal review! I figure since I've reviewed the ultra-satanic (...) side of music with my review of Aeon's Bleeding the False; I might as well counter-balance that with a nice pinch of Jesus, but equal parts falsetto and glory. This is not going to be a short review, perse, because that's just not how I roll, but fear not; there are two main sections to this, a generic explanation of the album and a "triple track run through" so you may read whichever you chose..
Let's start this off with a brief introduction into the band known as ‘Dream Quest'. This is taken from their official website
Quote:
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Originally Posted by www.adventuremetal.com
Unable to easily define their style of play using common vernacular, the band coined the term Adventure Metal. Combining blazing fast drums, mesmerizing guitars, soaring melodies, and cascades of harmonies, it's catchier than speed metal, heavier than pop-punk, and more innovative than hard rock. Adventure Metal is also fun. Part of the reason Dream Quest exists is simply to make people happy, whether by over-the-top stage theatrics or by the sensations of the music itself.
Fast. Fun. Furious. If Indiana Jones, Conan the Barbarian, and a ninja wearing a jet pack joined forces, even they could not match the excitement that is Dream Quest!
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You'll notice it left out the Christian part, and well, it really isn't all that important. Yes, they have some faith oriented lyrics, in fact, mostly all of their lyrics are in some way related to religion, but it's not as blatant as it may seem. It's often much like your typical Power Metal lyrics;
Now he builds an army of soldiers unaware, his fists are tight, his knuckles white, he lures you to his lair. Then comes the bait, he feeds off hate... Yes, it is evident that there is definitely a Christian influence, I mean, the song, so aptly titled
'Facekicker' is essentially about kicking the Devil in the face, but, if I hadn't mentioned the religious inclination which the band carries, it would merely fall in line with the lyrics of bands such as Rhapsody or Blind Guardian. What I'm getting at is basically that yes, it is Christian influenced, but it's still so incredibly Metal.
The Music
Now that we've gotten religion out of the way, what can you expect when you listen to this album? To be brief, although that's totally not my style (as you've undoubtedly noticed), you can look forward to the following three things;
- Falsetto: Expect to hear some very un-necessarily high ‘Rock Out Notes', as I call them. They work oh so well, seriously. The most notable is on the albums final track "Anthem of the World".
- Very precise and well executed instrumentation: You'll hear your fair share of shredding on this album. While there is only one guitarist, Mark does a great job at playing both melodic and technical parts. Expect some solos, some precise drumming and some damn tight basslines. Some of the best mid-paced Power Metal I've heard in a long time.
- Cheese: Take the typical cheesiness of Power Metal and add a Christian flare, I mean, let's be realistic here, the band claims to be ‘Adventure Metal'.
All in all, expect to have fun listening to this. If you like your Power Metal fast, cheesy and melodic, this is your domain. The religion may seem like it'd be an issue, but I assure you, it really isn't. Don't let the bands beliefs deter you from this great album. Yes, they do clearly state their love of Jesus and co. but in no way is it preachy. I never once got the feel that I was being guilt tripped in any way, and unlike many Christian metal lyrics,
Dream Quest stray from the morose; this is a very happy sounding album, perhaps with the exception of the acoustic interlude
Doppelganger.
Triple Track Run Through
Facekicker - This is perhaps the anti-thesis to Aeon's "Doorknocker"; they spoke of punching Jesus in the face, well, this is all about kicking some face (of the Devil, of course). The song starts off with an escalating guitar section (I know nothing of guitar techniques, sue me) and then kicks right into an almost Maidenesque mid-paced song, complete with your cheesy lyrics, riffing and of course the previously mentioned falsetto. This is a great track to start with as it sets the pace of the album and gives you a feel for what you're in store for.
Yesterday's Today, Tomorrow - Quite the title, eh? This song opens with a couple samples played over a Semitic sounding riff. The samples mention an almost post-apocalyptic world without concerts. In actuality, the song is about a non-Christian living in Jerusalem. Once the actual song kicks in it does so with style: A very tight and noticeable bassline (which is a nice treat on any album), distinct vocal styling and various shifts in tempo. While not unlike Facekicker in the sense it's again a mid-paced track, it takes us on a little more of an adventure...
Anthem Of The World - Perhaps the most epic and appropriate of climaxes, this song essentially speaks of the beginning of a new world, asking the children of Adam to ‘Rise up and sing, for we have been rescue'. The song has a very grandiose feel to it, but it never comes off as over-the-top, at least not in a Power Metal sense. The song has some of my favourite riffs on the album as well as perhaps the highest note I've heard since I last played anything by
King Diamond. Seriously, it's freaking gloriously high, and, unlike King Diamond, it's not irritatingly off-key.
If there's any issues with the album, this is all I can meander up
- The vocals are seemingly over produced, which is to say they're veerrrrrrry clean, it reminds me of pop-punk, though not as annoying.
- The lyrics; while the religious aspect is in my opinion not a crux of the album, it may be an issue for some
FINAL VERDICT
8/10
This is a great album and I beseech any one who is a fan of Power Metal to check it out. For fans of DivineFire, Rhapsody, Manowar and Blind Guardian.
Fast. Fun. Furious. If Indiana Jones, Conan the Barbarian, and a ninja wearing a jet pack joined forces, even they could not match the excitement that is Dream Quest!
Official Site: http://www.adventuremetal.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/adventuremetal
Now let's
Kick some face! We'll fight him 'til we die
