Memorized Dreams is a very young (two members are only 18) and new power metal band hailing from Norway. Instability with regard to the band lineup has plagued them from day one and according to the band's website, they are once again looking for a new vocalist.
Very much influenced by Helloween, Dream Theater, Stratovarius and the like, Memorized Dreams show much potential with their recent debut. Theater of Life is a semi concept album delivered with the best of intentions but fails to distinguish itself much from the current and frankly overcrowded Euro metal scene. On the other hand, Memorized Dreams keep their arrangements snappy and to the point. There's little in the way of instrumental flash and the band focus more on songwriting.
"Cardinal Sin" and "Haloes and Wings" arrive early in the album and feature great choruses unfortunately rendered quite flat by vocalist Terje Haroy. He doesn't exhibit much range and it's really kind of funny to hear his dull tone drag down the proceedings while the otherwise exuberant crunchy guitars and symphonic keyboards run rings around him. "Sea of Oblivion" is an earnest but embarrassing attempt at a ballad in which the vocals of Nina Leirvik and Terje Haroy barely mesh. But things improve with "Neverland" which features some excellent Dio like riffs as well as the most ambitious arrangement on the entire CD. Likewise, "Revelating Paradise" and "Light Above All" are worth a listen while "Crimson Dream" features a nice and unexpected Rick Wakeman-esque synth solo.
While I can't quite recommend Theater of Life, mainly due to the abundant progmetal clichés, weak vocals and the dry demo quality production, Memorized Dreams have a knack for good melodies, not to mention an unbridled enthusiasm. If they hire a decent vocalist for their next effort, who knows where there talents might take them?
Track Listing
- Welcome to the Theater
- Cardinal Sin
- Haloes and Wings
- Gates of Heaven
- Sea of Oblivion
- Neverland
- Revelating Paradise
- Light Above All
- Crimson Dream
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