French band DREAMQUEST was formed back in 1998, but it would take them a good eight years before they released any material, the EP “Godslayer” from 2006. Six more years would go by before they had their debut album ready, but in 2012 they signed to French label Brennus Music who released their CD “The Last Angel”.
From what I understand this is a conceptual production, and as such the songs can be described just as much as a single composition divided into parts as an album of thirteen tracks. A case for discussion that one, but a more important for many would probably be how to best describe the style this band explore. Personally I don’t have any doubts in that department really, as besides the nature of the song(s) on this disc each part/individual track also tends to include several alterations in pace and intensity, more often than not in a manner that makes it easy to describe them as multiple themed. Which does make the music progressive in my book, and as this is a metal rather than a rock album progressive metal is where this production should be cataloged.
Others may have a different opinion of course. As a recurring details throughout this album are hammering and galloping passages that will be described as power metal by default, some would say that this is a power metal album, while the more obsessive nerds might be tempted to claim that this is progressive power metal. Further complicating matters for the purebred music nerds is the just about constant use of symphonic and symphonic inspired keyboard arrangements throughout, that detail obviously making many opt for the symphonic metal tag to be utilized.
A fairly informative description of this album is that it contains song that alternates between these styles really. Personally I’d say that the songs alternates between either majestic or gnarly sequences of progressive metal and pace-filled, spirited and rather fiery passages of power metal. With plenty of strings, layered keyboard arrangements or full scale orchestrated keyboard motifs as supplemental features. I’ll leave it to the music nerds to determine which specific passages that fits the symphonic metal criteria, as in my book that is a secondary feature really. The important fact is that this is a blend and approach that works very well indeed. Even if the different parts are built up in a fairly uniform and predictable manner the constant alterations in pace and intensity maintains nerve and tension brilliantly throughout. With occasional gentle, frail and light toned inserts and interludes tucked in here and there we’re also given moments of a more ethereal beauty in between all the powerful guitar and keyboard cascades, a nice detail that further elevates the listener experience. At least as far as I’m concerned.
While Dreamquest doesn’t provide anything I’d describe as new or groundbreaking on “The Last Angel”, it is a very well planned and executed production that is easy to enjoy from start to finish. There are some subtle details about the vocals I can’t quite pinpoint that is a minor distraction at times, but apart from that this is a spirited run through an hours worth of highly enjoyable progressive metal and is well worth lending an ear to by fans of that kind of music, especially if you also have a taste for power metal and symphonic metal presumably.
My rating: 77/100
