Review: The Dreamside – 'Another Spark Of Light'

THE DREAMSIDE
'Another Spark Of Light'
SPIN MOON

Netherlands-based ethereal gothic rock act The Dreamside only released their last album, 'Sorrow Bearing Tree', this time last year, but they have already returned with another outing that sees them collaborate with a host of guest musicians to add a different spin to their sound. The band asked their fans and gleaned a veritable “best of” songs their 20 year discography, and reworked them into acoustic and remixed versions.

The heavy leaning towards acoustic ballads see them return to their folk-tinged roots, and songs such as 'Joyfire', 'Forsaken', 'Spin Moon Magic', 'Everlasting', 'Slay Your Dragons', and 'Above And Below' sound quite simply stunning. While the remixed versions of 'Rain And Rivers', 'La Tempesta', 'Nuda Veritas', and 'Open Your Eyes' inject a heavy dose of epic dance-orientated energy into the album.

It is a strong collection that any fan of the band will certainly have to add to their collection. It would have been nice to see this as a double album with the acoustic tracks on one disc and the remixes fully populating the other in order to get a more balanced presentation. But what has been presented here is certainly strong enough to hold its own with the band's already impressive discography.

The acoustic tracks are very nicely produced with an intimate, almost live atmosphere throughout that sounds as though you are watching them in the studio. But it doesn't sound like a rushed live mix, instead there is plenty of room to move and the minimalist compositions have the space they need to create maximum atmosphere.

This may be one that's more geared towards the band's already established fanbase. And with only a few remixes tagged on the end, there isn't much for casual dance fans to take away from it. But as a minimalist deconstruction of their sound to it's purest form it is a joy to listen to. Hopefully the band will capitalise on the strengths of the intimate nature of this album and play some acoustic shows in support.  

Read More

Review: The Dreamside – 'Sorrow Bearing Tree'

THE DREAMSIDE
'Sorrow Bearing Tree'
SPIN MOON

Over twenty years into their career and Netherlands-based ethereal gothic rock act The Dreamside are back with their latest album 'Sorrow Bearing Tree'. The band have enjoyed worldwide exposure and acclaim thanks to albums such as 'Pale Blue Lights', 'Apaika' and 'Spin Moon Magic'. The band have always been on the cusp of something big but never managed to push their way over the top and have for the most part remained somewhat underrated by the general public.

They may have traded in their earlier folk-tinged ethereal darkwave for a more generic electronic augmented gothic metal, but the band can still bang out the atmospherics and ambience. The new album is dramatic and incredibly well performed with every nuance of the band's 20 year history audible throughout. Ultimately though it doesn't really bring anything drastically new to the table, and unfortunately sounds a little too close to the bigger bands they no doubt inspired.

The album does have it's pulling points though. Songs such as 'Sorrow Bearing Tree', 'Miracle Days', 'Collide', 'Seraphim' and 'The Spiral Leads' give the album a strong backbone of groove-laden metal and exquisite melodies that stand alongside the band's most memorable past offerings. While the short folk tracks that break up the longer tracks are an interesting choice that could have really been developed more, perhaps even separately as an EP.

The band's biggest miscalculation is their choice to throw another lacklustre Depeche Mode cover onto the already heaving pile of tributes to the synthpop innovators. 'Walking In My Shoes' just sounds flat, unfinished and ultimately to close to the original to really add any merit to the album.

The production, mixing and the individual performances of the band are as strong as they have ever been. Each song is well crafted and well executed, but ultimately over the course of the fourteen tracks the effect of the strongest tracks take a hit from some of the more mediocre tracks included.

This isn't really the band's finest work, but neither is it their worst by any means. A shorter and more focussed track list would have benefited them rather than the stop and start feel that it has. The loyal fans will find enough here to reward their faith. But newer fans may want to start a little further back with the forthcoming re-releases.

Read More