Review Summary: A fun album at its core, "In Dreams" is an enjoyable record to say the least, and it obligates you to come back for more – if you’re into that kind of music, of course.
Reviewing a deathcore album is not the easiest thing, and the main reason for this is the negative view musical elitists have about the genre itself. These close-minded “metal” fans tend not to view deathcore as metal. I could agree that some bands make a larger use of breakdowns than simple riffs in an album, which ends up with mixed results. After The Burial, though, managed to produce a heavy, melodic, and catchy album: the result is "In Dreams".
Clocking in at 34 minutes – which may feel brief for some - the album feels groovy as hell, and the guitar work by both Trent Hafdahl and Justin Lowe is pretty impressive, “My Frailty” holding an amazing solo. What sets this record apart from “Rareform” is the diversification, though. Instead of trying a “heavy-light-heavy-light” song pattern like most of their friends often do, they implemented a beautiful mix of catchiness, relaxing melody and heaviness in every song. “To Carry You Away” has to be the example here, featuring a super-relaxing solo and a catchy chorus. “The Sleeper” is a more heavy-focused song, and that blast beat in the beginning gives me chills.
This album is not perfect, and from a drummer’s point of view I can surely tell I’m not really impressed by Dan Carle. He sure is a good drummer, and does the job behind the kit, but this is pretty much it; he does not stand out as much as the other members do. The production still greatly improved from "Rareform", and this is greatly appreciated.
A fun album at its core, "In Dreams" is an enjoyable record to say the least, and it obligates you to come back for more – if you’re into that kind of music, of course.
