Short Reviews [Dreamslain - 2021 - "Tales of Knights and Distant Worlds"]

No-one can fault this Norwegian trio for their effort, as for their debut release, they have provided us with just 9 songs lasting more than 80 minutes as a double CD. Comprising Daniel Paulsen Figenschou (drums), Anna Loppacher (piano, Hammond organ, synthesizers and bass pedals), Igor Jakobsen (lead, rhythm, 12 string, classical and bass guitars, banjo, lead and backing vocals) they have brought something together which is progressive, metallic with hints of folk metal combining with RIO and neo prog to produce something where the listener is never sure where the journey is going to lead. The only real issue, is whether they actually want to go on the trek. To put it bluntly, this is a hot mess with a singer who feels he is much better than the reality. The frustrating thing is that there are times when his vocals fit in perfectly, but it is when he has calmed it down and is not trying to force things quite so hard, when it sounds almost as if he is using throat singing, such is his style. It is at these times that Anna can make herself heard with some delicate triplets and runs on piano, and Daniel shows what a strong touch he has. Apparently, many of these songs have been built out of improvisation in the studio, and there are times when it seems they are still working out what they want to achieve, and instead of the instruments combining to create something of beauty it is too sharp, too flat, and too disjointed. There may well be a good album in here somewhere, but it needs heavy editing, an outside set of ears in the production booth, and quite possibly a different vocalist. All power to the guys for putting so much effort into the debut, which is available physically as well as on Bandcamp, but this is not one to which I will be quickly returning.