DREAMSCAPE

After 2004's 'End of Silence', Dreamscape went back to re-record a number of songs from both of their first two albums with current vocalist Roland Stoll. The result, 'Revoiced', is a fantastic slice of progressive metal that pretty much negates the bands earliest releases, but also offers up some of their most definitive work.

Musically similar to Dream Theater (which prog metal band doesn't get that cliché thrown at them?), Dreamscape display dazzling instrumental abilities, with great interplay between guitars and keyboards, and a strong sense of melody that means that even the heavier moments still feel graceful, without being overbearingly brutal.

The production is fantastic, and really gives everyone ample space to shine, and Roland Stoll's voice is a much better fit for this band than his predecessors. Songs like 'Thorn in My Mind', 'Alone', 'Winter Dreams', 'When Shadows Are Gone' and 'She's Flying' are all fantastic examples of prog metal, and really demonstrate how gifted this German five- piece is.

The melodic tendencies of the band make this a more accessible release if you're an old-school prog fan looking to dabble in some prog metal, but find yourself deterred by the more heavier stuff. Overall, 'Revoiced' is an exceptional progressive metal album, that serves as a great starting point if you're new to Dreamscape.

My first experience with Dreamscape came through the 'Revoiced' compilation, in which they had re-recorded the best songs of their first two releases with then-current vocalist Roland Stoll. While I found their debut, 'Trance-Like State' to be a huge disappointment, 'Very' steps up musically, with all-round better songwriting, and with better production that gives everything a bit more punch than before. However, the album as a whole still feels lacking.

For one thing, similar to before, I find the re-recorded versions with Roland Stoll to be the more definitive versions of these tracks. While 'Very' vocalist Huby Meisel has a nice, clear and somewhat majestic voice, it still doesn't feel powerful enough to match the music.

Much like every progressive metal band, the comparisons to Dream Theater will be everywhere, but one thing I really dig about Dreamscape is how much more melodic their music is. Even the heavy riffs have a sense of elegance about them. Songs like 'Thorn in My Mind', 'When Shadows Are Gone', 'Winter Dreams' and the 'Panterei' trilogy are all excellent tracks that combine crunchy, heavy guitars with beautiful keyboard melodies.

But, of course, these songs all appear on 'Revoiced', which means that while 'Very' is a good album, and definitely an improvement upon the band's debut, it still feels like it can be discarded now, and left merely for the collectors.

Now, I love Dreamscape, and over the years have come to consider them one of my favourite bands. Being cursed with a collectors OCD of having to own everything an artist puts out, their first album was a tough one to track down on disc, and when I finally did... I kind of wish I hadn't.

Damn OCD!

Considering that the good songs on this album would be re-recorded for the bands 'Revoiced' record, most of what we get here just feel like leftovers. And of the supposed "good ones", they just seem lifeless without later vocalist Roland Stoll. Perhaps it's just reflective of that mid-90's lull for metal bands, and in particular, other than a few notable big bands, progressive metal was still mostly an unknown subgenre that was relegated to the underground scene. Either way, 'Trance-Like State' just isn't an interesting release.

The musicianship is brilliant, as you'd expect from a band playing this style of music, and the production is alright, though nothing quite jumps out at you. There's a few good songs, such as 'Spirits', 'Face Your Fears' and 'Decisions', but in all honesty, there's not really anything here that makes me want to come back to this album.

With a staggering duration of 65 minutes, and a singer that sounds like he's taking it all way too seriously, 'Trance-Like State' just fails to deliver. Dreamscape are an awesome band however, and if you're new to them then you're better off starting with 'Revoiced' and discarding their first two albums.

Unless you're a collector like me! Damn OCD!

German prog metal band Dreamscape might be one of my fav prog metal bands ever, even the originality lacks most of the time, the musicicnship is top notch on every album. I've reviewed so far 3 of their albums, 5th season was the peak of their career for sure, a truly outstanding release in this genre. Second offer from their catalogue is Very from 1999, featuring excellent vocalist Hubi Meisel (from maeve of Connacht or Book of Reflections). The pieces are not lenghty, the longest has around 7 min, but there are so many memorable parts here, that any prog metal fan can enjoy. As always the instrumental passages are brilliant, plus the voice of Meisel going hand in hand with the music. Energic parts, duels between guitars and keyboards and an awesome drumer. Maybe in some parts the musical arrangements sounding same, with clear influences from Dream Theater, but if you dig deeper, this is a truly reat album. All pieces are great, not particulary weak moments, despite the originality , in rest another worthy release from this unnoticed prog metal band. 4 stars for sure. After this one they become even better, with a new vocalist Roland Stoll. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Dreamscape is without doubt one of my fav prog metal bands ever, not only from Germany but from Europe aswell. The previous album from 2007 named 5th season was for me a real gem and a masterpieces of the genre for sure. After this album was released soon around 2008 the band broke up , I was really shocked that another one of my fav bands will gone into oblivion, because Dreamscape is hardly well known in prog metal circles and is unfairly unnoticed world wide and their music is top notch. Few Years later after they disbanded the head of the band guitarist Wolfgang Kerinnis manage to reform the band and even releasing a new album in 2012 named Everlight. Well, I'm very glad that they are still in bussines and the album is a great example of solid prog metal these days. Is complex , is melodic has plenty of memorable arrangements, specially the keyboards are extremly diverse and very tastefuly done. A new voice appear here, Francesco Marino who done a good job, his voice has a bit of anger in his tone, but integrated very well in Dreamscape music. Aswell, I'm glad that they not change the direction, musicaly speaking, they remaining on same coordonates as previous albums, a thing to appreciate I might say. There are a some invited guests here, some well known among others like Arno Menses from ex Sieges Even , Subsignal fame, Oliver Hartman from Avantasia their ex vocalist Roland Stoll and few more. So, as I said the music is great, I see lot of talent puted in this new album, lot of work, even this is not as great as previous release, still is quite solid most of the time. 12 pieces, with 3 instrumentals, the opning track who sets the mood for the album, prog metal delight with some symphonic elements thrown in, The Calm Before The Storm and the smooth acustical journey on Refugium In Db-Major, the rest are with voice. All stands as great, no weak moments here, even some spectacular ones like on longest track A Matter Of Time Transforming, restless, etc. Comlicated prog metal with nice interludes between guitars and keyboards, the keyboards are almost perfect to my ears, really very awesome parts. All in all a very nice prog metal album that will please most of the prog metal fans, I like it, their technical abilities are impressive like on previous 2-3 albums. 4 stars to this album, a welcome come back of one of my fav prog metal bands in last decade. For fans of Empty Tremor, even Subsignal or Dream Theater.

Sometimes a band keeps releasing albums, staying within the same style but refining it with each album, until it all suddenly clicks. Dreamscape's fourth album is such. They started doing 7 minute songs on their third album, but it seemed sometimes plodding and directionless. The fourth is structured similarly - first, two shorter, rockier songs, an epic, 7-minute numbers, a ballad. But every track is superior to its counterpart.

Dreamscape is a so-called Dreamtheater clone that actually sounds like Dreamtheater (and not just a metal band with long songs, keyboards and melodic vocals that are often lumped into this category), and is as good as DT - on this album. The long songs are a study in contrasts, moving from lush keyboard passages to crushing riffs and guitar shredding, all the while retaining the accessibility. They are also capable, as Dreamtheater, of power ballads and uplifting melodic metal numbers. But wisely stay from overdoing stuff.

Maybe not the most original band out there, but a must for mainstream prog metal fans.

This is a re-recording of best songs from Dreamscape's first albums with a new vocalist. A pretty good one, I might add, slightly accented, but strong and emotional and without high pitched histrionics. A more manly La Brie, if you will.

At this point, Dreamscape is fairly compact prog metal. Songs are about 5 minutes length, with ample changes of mood, but no over-complicated song structures or lengthy solos. On subsequent albums they would get longer and even more intense and emotional. Dreamscape could reasonably be called Dreamtheater clone - a very good clone - if the band's leader didn't insist he formed it before anyone heard of Dreamtheater.

Anyway, Dreamscape distinguishes itself in this over-populated genre by doing very good contrasts in the music - thrash and melodic metal, heavy verse-light choruses (or vice versa), crushing guitar riffs and very diverse keyboards (in fact, keys are as much of a highlight as the guitar, doing both beautiful piano lines and dark atmospherics, playing independent melodies along with the guitar, not just complementing it).

The first albums, if rated independently, probably deserve a 3 star. But as a compilation of the better songs, this album and the even better 5th Season album (convincing 5 stars) are the ones from Dreamscape that I would keep.

Dreamscape is a hidden jam of prog metal. Lack of wider recognition, probably, was the reason of their break-up after the excellent 2007 album. But five years after the band's mastermind, guitarist Wolfgang Kerinnis, managed to put out a new album. It's a strange one and not their best. There are different lead vocalists for a lot of songs (and, as if to sum up, all return once more for the epic song). Somehow it doesn't feel like a proper album. Although it was probably deliberate design.

Then it's a testament to the guy's talents that it is all very listenable (but you have to give it a few spins). The principal vocalist has an aggresive style, so most songs are in prog-power vein, rather than the intense and emotional Dreamtheater vibe of the 5th Season ( come on! DREAMscape! 5th SEASON!). But there are also classically inspired instrumental pieces, a couple of ballads, and more-changes-than-you-blink prog workout of "A matter of time transforming".

A feature of the band is the very heavy tone of the guitar. Keyboards are equally prominent and diverse, from piano-ish runs to dramatic soundscapes. But structures generally are less complex than before, maybe an appeal for broader recognition this time around.

Although I groaned initially due to what is by this point progressive metal cliché, I cannot deny that this is a fantastic album in that context, and those who love the genre, particularly Dream Theater, should not pass by this one. Roland Stoll's voice is almost a clone of that of James LaBrie, and quite a bit of this band's style on End of Silence is very similar to the genre's most popular quintet. Expect heavy guitars, powerful vocals, a solid rhythm section, synthesizer leads with apparently one setting, and the occasional soft song. However, with that said, this band does a phenomenal job using dynamic compositions and melodies to their advantage.

"Clockwork" Following a glitzy synthesizer-lead opening (similar to "New Millennium" by Dream Theater), the strained tenor of the vocalist and heavy guitars moves in at a medium pace. The song has everything one would expect from a progressive metal album opener minus speedy theatrics. Instead, the song focuses on the rhythm and the big vocals.

"Short-Time News" Soft piano and cutting lead guitar would lead one to believe a power ballad is in store, but this is not so- pretty soon guttural guitar rips through alongside synthesizer, and the music is right back in heavy metal territory.

"The End of Light" The epic of the album involves a quasi-orchestral beginning, and could easily be the music for the opening credits of a Tim Burton film. After three minutes of robust symphonic music, the band kicks in with methodical metal. The bright melody over piano about six minutes in is quite uplifting, and the subsequent guitar solo is a real highlight. Delicate guitar brings in a gentler, yet still ominous passage, which gives way to more biting guitar, heavy drumming, and a synthesizer solo. This is a big song, one that can really feel as though it is starting to lose focus around seventy-five percent of the way through. Toward the end, it allows the piano to take over the repeated melody, and this is an excellent move.

"All I Need" In keeping with the gentle piano that ended the previous expedition, Dreamscape offers a short, soft song- a well-placed respite from driving metal and lengthy instrumental sections. The song uses simple chords and a straightforward but agreeable melody.

"Silent Maze" Deep bass introduces this one. It is standard progressive metal fare, this time complete with a shredding guitar solo. I enjoy the interaction between the shimmering guitar and the keyboards hovering in the backdrop.

"Flow" Here is a driving progressive metal cut with thick wall of guitar and breathier sections laced with synthesizer lead. The vocals are a bit grating in places, but overall, this is an excellent offering on this album.

"More Than" While the bass carries a basic tone, the backing is riddled with odd effects. Multiple guitars cut through though, and soon a somber vocal creeps in over a gentle background. Once again, the band demonstrates their ability to use dynamics to craft excellent and varied songs- despite powerful heavy metal passages, the band dams these up with some of the calmest music to be found on this affair.

"Infected Ground" Using a simple chord progression and filling out the sound with the staples of the progressive metal genre, Dreamscape offers a very good work, if only challenging in places. For the guitar solos, the band opens up the rhythm (rather than cluttering it with chugging guitars), and this proves most effective.

"You Don't Know Me" For the final song, the band offers even more variety, this time using a cavorting yet off-kilter romp between the keyboards and the guitar. The melody is wonderful.

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.