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Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals (1999-Present)
Fredrik Nordström - Guitars/keyboards (1999-Present)
Daniel Varghamne - Lead Guitar (2007-Present)
Peter Stalfors - Bass (1999-Present)
Pat Powers - Drums (2006-Present)
Past members include:
Mark Black - Guitars (2004-Present)
Gus G - Guitars (1999-2004)
Snowy Shaw - Drums/keyboards/guitars (1999-2006)
In heavy metal, there are many questions. Why is power metal so much more popular in Japan than anywhere else? If Lemmy and Rob
Halford fought to the death, who would win? Are Alexi and Avril the same person!?
Likewise, we must ask our ...read more
Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals (1999-Present)
Fredrik Nordström - Guitars/keyboards (1999-Present)
Daniel Varghamne - Lead Guitar (2007-Present)
Peter Stalfors - Bass (1999-Present)
Pat Powers - Drums (2006-Present)
Past members include:
Mark Black - Guitars (2004-Present)
Gus G - Guitars (1999-2004)
Snowy Shaw - Drums/keyboards/guitars (1999-2006)
In heavy metal, there are many questions. Why is power metal so much more popular in Japan than anywhere else? If Lemmy and Rob
Halford fought to the death, who would win? Are Alexi and Avril the same person!?
Likewise, we must ask ourselves, how can 5 guys who never met each other before entering a studio produce an absolutely brilliant set of 4
albums, one of which was written on a single plane flight? Read on for the answer.
In 1999, Fredrik Nordström was more famous for his producing of HammerFall, Dimmu Borgir, In Flames and The Haunted albums at his
studio, then any guitar playing ability he had. However, Fredrik dreamed of forming a band to carry the torch of Manowar into the 21st
century. Unfortunately, he had no musicians willing to dedicate themselves to a project at that time. That was, until he holidayed in the
Greek Isles and met young guitar prodigy Kostas Karamitroudis (Gus G). Despite a ten year age gap, the two got along well, and when
Fredrik suggested they start a project, tentatively called Dragonslayer. Gus, despite his involvement in Mystic Prophecy, agreed to play
lead guitar.
Next Fredrik contacted Snowy Shaw (legendary from his time in King Diamond, Mercyful fate, Memento Mori, Notre Dame and countless
others), and broached the subject of joining the group as a drummer. Snowy declined a full-time position, but agreed to a session drummer
contract.
Remembering the shattering vocals of Niklas Isfeldt, a backing vocalist on a HammerFall album Fredrik produced, there was no other choice
but to contact Niklas and suggest he join the band. Niklas happily joined up, bringing bassist and friend Peter Stalfors along to the first
session.
It is remarkable to think that most of these men had never met each other before entering the studio to work on their first album.
Nevertheless, their first demo was recorded, and Fredrik presented it to the record companies. Loving the music, but disliking the band's
name, the label contracted them, on the proviso that Fredrik change the name to something more original. With a name taken from Dio's
Dream Evil (1987), the band released their debut, Dragonslayer, in 2002, which skyrocketed to number 1 in the Japanese import charts,
and was well received in Europe and the Americas. Playing both a Blind Guardian tour and a small tour of Japan, Snowy joined up
permanently, and Dream Evil were invited to support HammerFall on their 2003 European tour.
Hints by their label that a new album to coincide with the tour would be a good idea, the band wrote songs on the plane flight back to Europe,
and entered the studio ready to record at least half of what would become Evilized. Recording and writing the album at the same time, it
boggles the mind at how good the album turned out to be. And good it was, scoring rave reviews with its 2003 release.
After a brilliant tour with HammerFall, the band wrote their next EP, entitled Children of the Night. However, commitments with Mystic
Prophecy meant that Gus G missed the promotional tour, and Snowy Shaw took over the guitar parts, with a session drummer, Daniel
Svensson, filling in for him.
The hype over Children of the Night brought Dream Evil thundering into the spotlight with their fourth release. The Book Of Heavy Metal was
to be the band's best album at that point. And it was. With each member writing furiously, only the best songs made it onto the album.
Recorded just before Christmas, it was released in February along with a fantastic new video for the title-track, directed by Patric Ulleus.
However, Gus G decided to quit the band, and focus on his solo career and his previous band Firewind. Although disappointed, the band
respected his decision, and accepted Mark Black (formely of King Diamond) into the band, and set out on their latest tour. But this wasn't
the end of the disaster for Dream Evil. Troubled by throat problems, Niklas was advised to quit singing until his throat had recovered.
However, considering his options, he and long-time friend Peter decided to leave Dream Evil, and focus on their families and health.
Devestated by the loss of guitarist, vocalist and bassist within a year, the band has currently recorded no new albums or performed any live
shows with Jake. E. Berg and Tommy Larsson, their new vocalist and bassist respectively. Niklas and Peter, hoewever, returned before
recordings or live shows were done. At the start of 2006, Snowy Shaw abruptly quit Dream Evil. After a period of silence for several months,
Dream Evil announced Pat Power (Patrik Jerksten), a co-worker of Fredrik Nordström from Studio Fredman, as Snowy's replacement.
The first album featuring the new line-up, United, was released on October 13, 2006.
Dream Evil announced on December 7, 2007 on the website that Mark Black would be leaving the band and will be replaced by Daniel
Varghamne aka Dannee Demon.
On March 3, 2008, the band announced that they had begun work on a new studio album, tentatively titled In The Night. The album has no
set release date.
On July 23, 2008, the band announced that their first live DVD/CD set, Gold Medal in Metal (Alive & Archive), will be released on August
25, 2008.
Discography:
Dragonslayer - 2002
Evilized - 2003
Children of the Night - EP, 2003
The Book of Heavy Metal - 2004
United - 2006
Gold Medal in Metal (Alive & Archive) - 2008
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Sources:
Encyclopeadia Metallium
Official Site
Wikipedia entry « hide |
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