Search - Dreamtale :: Beyond Reality

Dreamtale - The New Finnish Prodigies

Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, I'll admit it, I'm really a sucker when it comes melodic music. It's could my art background, seeking balance and composition or desire for symmetry. There is an essence of beauty and planning in symmetry, and for me there is a feeling of symmetry and completion in melodic music. Ultimately the bands which satisfy me the most and my desire for order and balance are those bands of the melodic persuasion.



DREAMTALE



To my pleasant surprise, Dreamtale is one of those bands. Dreamtale I suppose would be considered a power metal from the land of prodigious musical excellence - Finland. Tiny Finland (five million inhabitants) Knows how crank out great bands who crank out great music. If you've never heard of Nightwish, Statovarious, Sonata Artica, Beseech, Charon, HIM, Apocalyptica, Silentium You haven't truly explored the world music scene. Throw in some of the heavier metal groups like Sentenced, Finntroll, Moonsorrow, Nother, Amorphis, Children of Bodom, Sinergy and Hanoi Rocks and you start to get a picture of how extraordinary the Finns are when it comes to music.



As I said, Dreamtale is generally listed as a power metal band but to me, that doesn't really fit what their music is. Sure it's related but there is much less of the speed metal/drumming which one comes to expect in power metal bands. Yes, many of the songs like "Dreamland" and "Refuge From Reality" are played that way but with, not quite, the intensity of some of their contemporaries like Rhapsody and Dragonforce.



BEYOND REALITY



Beyond Reality is the first of three albums by Dreamtale. Released in 2002 on well known Swedish/Finnish record label Spinefarm, it has been virtually unknown stateside. I certainly had never heard of them until I picked up their last release, Difference on a lark. While I wasn't in love with Difference I was sufficiently impressed that I picked up Beyond Reality on the mistaken belief that it was a newer release.



I did fall in love with Beyond Reality and it didn't take multiple spins to do it either. From the initial passages of the introduction I was hooked. Initially track 1 starts out with a heavenly if maudlin refrain by a lone piano giving way after thirty seconds or so to other band members. In the middle of this wonderful song, the piano returns assisted by a flute (possibly a synth) while a narrator starts his story:

"As The last ship sailed towards the distant horizon, I sat there watching on a rock

My mind slowly drifting away, Forming into my.. Dreamtale " The "Introduction" segues into "Memories Of Time" which continues with the same haunting refrain but in an up tempo style. What a buzz when this great melody is played at an increased medium fast speed with excellent lyrics: "Fallen Star" is a medium fast song with an interesting somewhat staggering beat. It also has a catchy melody and female background singing and the narrator continues his story: The original refrain returns for "Heart`s Desire" a song that goes back and forth is speed and intensity. Initially and for variation there are elements of a harpsichord and violins. As with all songs the Lyrics are strong: The fifth track "Where the Rainbow Ends" is strictly an up tempo rock number featuring a keyboard solo. I don't know if there's a connection but "Where the Rainbow Ends" sounds to me, like Rainbow.



Other Killer songs are "Call of the Wild", which just might be my favorite, a fast paced song with plenty of variation. For me It has a tug of war feel in the bridge. You have to hear it to understand what I mean. It starts out slow and atmospheric and the jumps into heavy rock. A piano and flute play an integral part in "Call of the Wild" and this is the only song on the album that has a short raspy vox sequence. Magnifique! The last track "Farewell" is another of many gems. It has a grand beginning and the ladies sing on this one with guest vocalist, Sanna Natunen having the lead. It varies between a medium slow and Medium pace as violins play in the background. A stunning song:



Conclusion



I would assume that Beyond Reality is a concept album (tells a story) though I have not taken the time to figure it out. The main singer Rami is good but not great. The guest singer on Heart's Desire and Where The Rainbow Ends, Marco Hietala was almost great but not super but seriously it was the music more than the singers who carried this album. Listening to this album was like being permeated with aural perfume. It saturated my mind as a unit. I couldn't really pick out outstanding or deficient individual performances but overall together the music is exceptional. Final rating 4.55 stars



Mr. D`s List of Mighty Melodious bands:



Heavenly, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Visions of Atlantis, Orkrist, Therion, Fairyland, Thy Majestie, Rhapsody, Epica, Wonderland"

Exquisite melodious Finnish metal

Analog | Planet Earth | 11/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hands down, Dreamtale have the ultimate fantasy metal sound. There are some of the most excellent and beautiful melodies one could ever hope to hear on this album. Words cannot describe songs like Memories in Time, Dreamland, and Silent Path. You must listen to this album and be convinced for yourself, or if you feel like taking a chance, order this one, you probably will not regret it. I would recommend this for fans of Sonata Arctica, Falconer, Stratovarius, Dragonforce, etc. and even fans of speed metal like Kalmah, Norther, At the Gates and the like will probably enjoy this. You can listen to a few samples of the music on Spinefarm's website. Check this band out, the are definately worth the while."