DREAMS OF AVALON: Beyond The Dream (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Astral Doors, a Swedish heavy metal band, has had a guitarist named Joachim Nordlund since its origins. On the occasion of the current break of his fetish combo, which hasn't offered anything since his "Black Eyed Children" in 2017, he decided to take a solitary path. Taking the name of (Joachim Nordlund's) Dreams Of Avalon, he proposes in 2020 his first attempt under the name of "Beyond The Dream".

For this opus, Nordlund is in charge of all the instrumental parts, except the drums, as well as the composition and production. Although he was originally part of a band with a heavy and metallic approach to rock, the Swede has always developed an attraction for the more polished sounds that were all the rage about forty years ago. Thus, this "Beyond The Dream" is a far cry from what Astral Doors offers. In these lands, the Hard FM from the 80's reigns supreme.

The recipe is simple and well known: a radio-friendly melody sung with measure and conviction supported by a rhythm that makes you tap your feet and keyboards of the blessed era, to which is added a guitar solo. Easy on paper, of course, but more complicated in reality. Indeed, driving a DeLorean and going back in time is not without risks because we are often not far from the kitsch and outdated.

Unfortunately, focused on his own nostalgic pleasure, Nordlund has not paid enough attention to these dangers. Even if he didn't fall into the trap of the honeyed ballad - there is none on this album - and even though he's damn good on guitar, the Swede doesn't offer unforgettable compositions in the genre. Moreover, the color of the keyboards, as the choruses and the lyrics, which be appreciated by the most nostalgic among us, eventually wearing out in the long run. Finally, Nordlund, with his honest but a little too impersonal voice, would have been well advised to opt for a frontman who knows how to hypnotize his audience. The tracks follow one another and are quickly forgotten, with rare exceptions like 'Under The Gun' and 'Stop', for his keyboards bringing back to Van Halen.

"Beyond The Dreams" is an old-fashioned hard FM opus that may interest nostalgic fans of the early Bon Jovi and Journey of the 80s, as long as they're not demanding. - Official website

DREAMS OF AVALON

BEYOND THE DREAM

METALVILLE

MELODIC HARD ROCK