Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Dreamland
Title
Future's Calling
Type
LP/EP
Company
Dockyard 1
YOR
2005
Style
Power
1/4/2006 - Review by: Eric Compton
Dreamland - Future's Calling - 2005 - Dockyard 1

Track Listing
1. The Chance
2. Hearts Like Lions
3. A New Way
4. Breaking The Chains
5. Destiny
6. I Die Slowly
7. Fade Away
8. All For One
9. Dreamland
10. Future's Calling
11. Blank Mind
12. A New Dimension
13. Repeating Supremacy
Dockyard 1 recently gained some notoriety with their release of the critically acclaimed Savage Circus release "Dreamland Manor". Many, including myself, found their brand of power metal similar to that of Blind Guardian. Some fans like that sort of thing, and I can't really blame them considering that Savage Circus is probably more like Blind Guardian than the 'Guardian are these days. "Dreamland Manor" was more like the early days of the band and many like that particular era of the band. Why am I talking so much about one band sounding like another? Well it is simple you see. Dockyard 1 has released another album that is very much in the style of another famous metal act. The new act is Dreamland and the band they are tuned to is Hammerfall.

Sweden's Dreamland first gained notice with their appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2001. In 2002 the band released their first demo/single called "The Call". Famous Swedish power metal guru and Hammerfall vocalist Joacim Cans heard that call and started helping the young band produce their first album, lending his wise guidance to melody lines, vocal delivery, and of course the basic fundamentals of recording a debut. While Cans isn't directly in the band, his "touch" can easily be heard on this debut album entitled "Future's Calling".

I happened to hear this release in it's entirety before reading anything about the group. My first thought was of course, "this is like a new Hammerfall album". After reading the backstory I now see why that is. That really isn't a bad thing in my opinion. Many people complain that Hammerfall are too generic and that they lack any real identity. To this day I have yet to find a band that plays straight forward, catchy, melodic power metal that recalls the past so well. The only thing close thus far is probably Dream Evil. But let's talk about Dreamland in more detail, shall we?

For starters vocalist Joacim Lundberg is very much in the style of Joacim Cans. His register and delivery is one of clean, middle of the road range. He does occasionally hit some high notes, but for the most part he stays fairly mid-range throughout. Guitarists Johan Eriksson and Eric Rauti are really phenomenal, showing off a mentality that incorporates HUGE hooks and melody with fast leads and twin guitar exercising. Bassist Mats Rendlert drives most of these songs, with Cans' production job keeping a close ear to the loud bass line recordings of past legends like Accept and U.D.O. Drummer Marcus Sköld keeps everything in check with very tight drum patterns that really never speed up and rarely break into double bass beats. For the most part this band is like Hammerfall in the way that they are mid-speed, mid-range, and very "true metal fighting spirit" oriented with their songwriting.

Favorite numbers here are the very basic elements of "Hearts Like Lions" and "Breaking The Chains". The band does experiment some here, throwing in the slow ballad piece "Fade Away", and dabbling in some progressive moments on "Blank Mind". This is pretty solid Swedish power metal and occasionally you will hear that epic German sound, most evident with the furious cut "I Die Slowly".

Bottom Line - Those of you into the Swedish power metal vein will LOVE Dreamland. They have everything that they need to compete and lead in that particular genre. Those of you who cater to more epic and speedier pastures in the power metal landscape may find this album a bit too "weathered" and calculated. Personally, the "Future's Calling" is like a glimpse in the crystal ball. Dreamland will be successful for a long time to come.



--EC 12.20.05
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: DREAMLAND
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Future's Calling
2005
Dockyard 1
Eric Compton1/4/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: DREAMLAND
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