DREAM DEATH
“DISSEMINATION”
Album Review By Chris Palmer
8.5/10
Dream Death is a four-piece band from Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Originally formed in 1985, the band combine elements of traditional Heavy Metal and Doom with Hardcore vocals, and the occasional burst of speed. In 1987, Dream Death released its debut album, “Journey Into Mystery”, to critical acclaim before disappearing off the radar for over 22 years.
Founding member and vocalist/guitarist, Brian Lawrence, regrouped with Mike Smail [Drums] (formerly of both Pentagram and Cathedral), Terry Weston [Guitar], and Richard Freund [Bass] in 2011. The quartet entered the studio to work on what would become 2013’s excellent comeback album, “Somnium Excessum”.
This year saw the release of Dream Death’s third album, “Dissemination”. Running for 39 minutes 21 seconds, and containing ten tracks, the album was released on the Rise Above Records label on 4th March and is the subject of this review.
The album begins with some spoken narrative stating, “…that gate is going to open and you’re going to step over that threshold…” before this opening number, “Dissemination”, literally smacks you in the face at 0:19 … As terrific riffs containing a good Thrash Metal rhythm come in, together with the drums and bass lines. Brian’s vocals join proceedings after 57 seconds, instantly reminding you of Slayer’s Tom Araya. You’ll find yourself banging your head to this excellent, fast-paced track, which gets better with some cracking guitar solos from Brian and Terry between 3:16-3:48. The track’s rhythm is consistent, with good changes in tempo throughout, as it rolls along at an impressive pace.
Some light keys and on/off guitar riffs introduce “Expendable Blood Flow”, before an onslaught of instruments and vocals hit you around 0:19. The rhythm is slower than the previous track and contains a Doom Metal feel to it. The guitar-play is excellent from both Brian and Terry, as their riffs invite you to bang your head to the slow rhythm … The speed of which does increase in places throughout, especially during the second half. The momentum slows towards the end and those light keys return to close out the track.
At 1:35 in length, “Crawling”, is the shortest track on the album. It contains brilliantly pulsating bass lines and drum beats from Richard and Mike respectively, as well as spoken narratives. Acting as an intro to what’s coming next, huge riffs come in after 1:16, together with an increase in tempo leading straight into “The Cold Hard Light”, which launches straight at you amongst an avalanche of heavy riffs and an equally heavy rhythm section. Brian’s vocals join soon after as the mayhem continues with well-timed changes in tempo/pace throughout. Once again, the guitar-play is excellent with good solos during the second half. Normality has been restored compared to the previous crawler of a track!
“All In Vain” begins with some terrific guitar-play which is joined by great rhythmic riffs, a pounding bass, and drums. Brian’s vocals enter after 15 seconds, as things settle into a Doom-inspired rhythm with outstanding heavy riffage. At 2:09, Dream Death treat you to a bout of outstanding shredding guitar solos from Brian and Terry, before things speed up dramatically towards the end of the track. Overall, this is a really good track, which shows the quartet’s ability to switch between Doom and Thrash paces/styles with ease.
The second half of the album begins with “Dominion”, which rolls towards you with more heavy riffage. After 9 seconds, a dramatic change in pace occurs, shortly followed by another impressive vocal attack. The pace is unforgiving, seriously straining the neck as you bang your head furiously … Yet those changes are present, throwing you off guard for a moment before the onslaught continues. More shredding guitars pierce the ears, together with Richard’s impressive bass, as he paves his way along a crushing, chugging path. Everything comes to a shuddering halt a few seconds from the end, leaving you breathless, yet satisfied.
The opening sequence of “The Other Side” leads you into a false sense of security. Slow drumming from Mike, together with neat guitar-play are the order of the day before you reach 0:19. You’re then pounded in the face as Dream Death deal out an outburst of heavy riffs, drums, and bass lines. Brian spits another venomous vocal attack in your direction after 0:36, thus adding more to the punishment. The rhythm really gets you headbanging furiously and punching the air, as the changes in tempo/pace hit you in a well-timed manner. I thoroughly enjoy the pounding riffs and rolling drum sections, which contain an excellent rhythm. Between 5:02-5:29 another terrific guitar solo is performed, adding more bite to this outstanding track.
More bruising riffs launch you straight into “Nothing Ever Will”, accompanied by that insanely heavy rhythm section. A slight change in tempo announces the arrival of the vocals at 0:29, as the band plays through this number, which will remind you of the mighty Black Sabbath in places. With varying speeds adding variety, the track ends with an excellent rhythm, before finishing with cries of “…nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever will!”
Penultimate track, “Neutral Ground”, continues the heaviness as you’re hit by blasting drums, pounding bass lines, and rhythmic riffs from the beginning. There’s good guitar solos around the halfway point, which help to break up the heavy momentous onslaught that rolls over you, before coming to a complete stop, sending you straight into …
… “In Perpetuum”, which begins with the sounds of vocal chants/cries. Light guitar-play follows as you reach 0:23, together with the sounds of spoken narrative and accompanied by Richard’s bass as it vibrates in your ears. As you reach the two-minute mark, an onslaught of heavy Doom riffs slam you into the ground one final time. The pace is reasonably slow, yet so damn heavy and full of Sabbathian riffage. At 4:15, you’re treated to one last outstanding piece of shredding guitars, before Brian’s vocals return and are followed by a short burst of punishing riffs. The track finishes with spoken narrative, which return from 4:59 onwards … After which this very good album comes to an end.
To be honest, the album took some time to get into for me personally. However, after a few listens, it managed to grasp my attention and keep me hooked. I then discovered that the more I listened to it, the better the music contained within got.
“Dissemination” is a punishing album full of insanely heavy riffs, ranging from Doom to Thrash Metal. The album maintains a great rhythm through all ten tracks, keeping you interested yet breathless at times as the band hit you with attack after attack. The punishment feels good as you bang your head continuously, furiously, and at varying speeds throughout 39 minutes and 21 seconds.
The musicianship from this quartet is first-class, with every instrument being played consistently and with confidence. The rhythm section of bass and drums maintains an excellent, yet punishing and, at times, relentless pace. The riffs are heavy and, quite frankly, awesome, as they urge you to bang your head furiously to the detriment of your neck. There are some moments which contain excellent shredding guitars, and the vocals are spat with fury and venom, thus bringing extra elements to the music.
Overall “Dissemination” is an album that demands your attention. It’s an album that will be a worthy addition to your CD collection. “Dissemination” is a cracking third album from Dream Death, albeit, an album that takes its time to gain your respect.
TRACKLIST
Dissemination
Expendable Blood Flow
Crawling
The Cold Hard Light
All In Vain
Dominion
The Other Side
Nothing Ever Will
Neutral Ground
In Perpetuum
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