END OF SILENCE

Dreamscape 'End of Silence' 7 years after their first effort, Trance-Like State, Dreamscape released their 3rd Album, 'End of Silence', featuring the same team of musicians except the singer. In their 3 first albums, Dreamscape have changed 3 singers, so Roland Stoll must consider himself lucky to have sung in 2 albums (plus the Re-Voiced album). Roland sounds a bit like James LaBrie. Wolfgang Kerinnis, leading guitarist looks a lot like a younger James LaBrie!!! However, the obvious similarities with Dream Theater stop here! Most songs are mid tempo, alternating between heavy rhythmic guitar and acoustic passages. There are some heavy slow parts too, especially in the 20-minute epic, 'The End of Light.'

It is the first time Dreamscape attempts such a long song, and they have made sure that there is a continuous flow throughout that keeps the listener's attention between the different parts. It is surprising how well they have managed to do that, as it is mainly well played heavy metal riffs alternating for 20 minutes, yet blending into the next song, the sole ballad of the album 'All I need', as if it was less than 10 minutes.

The beginning couple of songs 'Clockwork' and 'Short-Time News' set the pace for the rest of the album. 'Flow' has some impressive keyboard work. 'You don't know me' starts off like something Sieges Even could have done and continues similarly to the style of the rest of the album.

All musicians have improved greatly since their debut, and the production of keyboard player Jan Vacik allows all instruments to be heard clearly. It is a conscious turn to heavier material. At times, one is reminded of a technically more skilled Threshold ? or what Conception could have turned into if they hadn't stopped. If there is something I would change, it is the duration of some of the songs. Most songs are 7 minutes long. As Dreamscape is mostly song oriented, some of the songs are just 2 minutes longer than they should be (and I am not referring to the epic).

This is an excellent addition to any progressive metal music collection, and a step up from Dreamscape's previous releases.