“United” is the fourth studio release from Swedish Metal band “Dream Evil” and follows on from their hugely successful release “The Book Of Heavy Metal”.  The  band line up for this release has changed considerably though following the departure of Gus G (lead guitar), Snowy Shaw (drums) and Niklas Isfeldt (Vocals), thankfully Niklas changed his mind at the 11^th hour and decided to remain with the band.  Many fans thought that their departure of these band members would be the death knell for “Dream Evil”, however they managed to recruit Mark Black on lead guitar and Pat Power (come on, surely a stage name…) on drums.   

Thankfully, the change in band members hasn’t taken away any of their artistic leanings, and with “United” they have once again released an outstanding metal album.  This release is a selection of classy modern metal that obviously takes it roots from old school power metal of the Judas Priest, Iron Maiden ilk, while managing to sound like a modern day Scorpions tied in with some Royal Hunt and Jorne Lande.  Not a bad mix really. 

The whole album, less one track, is full of heavy metal anthems, the like of which I haven’t heard in a long, long time.  It has guitars that are heavy as hell with some ripping solo’s coming from the fleeting fingers of Mark Black, all the way from the introductory screaming riff on the opening track “Fire, Battle, In Metal” right the way through to the final power chord of the penultimate track “Doomlord”.  The vocals from Niklas ooze with passion and soar out of the speakers with grace, verve, power and skill.  The vocals really are sublime and deserve to be listened to loud, proud and as often as you can. 

This is an outstanding metal album that has had the benefit of really powerful and professional production which has managed to give the album exactly the sound it needs.  Standout tracks .... well if forced to name them they would be “Fire, Battle, In Metal”, “United”, “Let Me Out”, “Falling” and “Back from the dead”.  There is only one real downside to this album as far as I am concerned, and that is their cover of “My Number One”, which won the Eurovision song contest for Greek singer Helena Paparizou in 2005.  No matter how much metal, power chords, screaming vocals you add to that song, it was, still is, and will always remain, CRAP.   

My advice?  Buy the album, play it loud, pump your fist, grab your air guitar, but go no further than track 11 “Doomlord”.  The final track should be prefixed with the legend “Abandon hope all ye who listen passed this point” 

A very creditable release from a very creditable set of musicians and one of the better metal albums I have heard so far this year.  A must for all fans of old school metal, especially fans of the Scorpions et al.

Let us know your views on 'United'

Track List

Fire! Battle! In Metal!
United
Blind Evil
Evilution
Let Me Out
Higher On Fire
Kingdom At War
Love Is Blind
Falling
Back From The Dead
Doomlord
My Number One

Line Up

Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals
Fredrik Nordström - Guitars
Mark Black - Guitars
Peter Stalfors - Bass
Pat Power - Drums