Future's Calling

Everything tends to be a matter of taste, whether it is architecture, music, or any other aesthetic preference. One’s favorite style will tend to appeal to them in varying forms, but still maintain that sense of familiarity that is sought after. The Swedish take on post-90s power metal carries a similar tendency towards outright reliving of the decade prior, right down to the nuances in the cliché sleaze driven vocal style. The 2005 debut “Future’s Calling” by this new outfit Dreamland is somewhat ironic in its title, as something along the lines of “Past’s Calling” would fit the template more appropriately.

Be all this as it may, for a band that goes through all the expected motions of an 80s revivalist band in the mode of Hammerfall, Dream Evil and Stormwind, the songs heard on here have an unusually strong element of staying power. In much the same respect as the polished and mercilessly catchy “Renegade”, this album is free of any long winded Manowar worship; though a similar vibe of the whole “in praise of the almighty metal” character of said band is present in the music. The only real point of contrast in sound from all of these bands is Jake E, whose sleaze driven vocals are a bit closer to Vince Neil than Eric Adams or Klaus Meine.

As an album, this thing is pretty evenhanded, listening almost like a musical reworking of Accept’s “Metal Heart” and Judas Priest’s “Screaming For Vengeance”. There’s a measured amount of speed metal influences, particularly in the mildly agitated yet straight line title song “Dreamland” and the slightly busier cooker “A New Way”, sounding all but like 2 perfect tributes to Dream Evil’s “Dragonslayer”. But for the most part, what is heard on here tends towards a down tempo rock feel with an occasional up tempo gallop, being not all that far removed from the formative tendencies of the NWOBHM. In fact, the middle of the road rocker “All For One” goes into all out Leatherwolf mode, enough so to possess one to seek out a cow to get his leather jacket the old fashioned way.

No, there’s nothing new under the sun here, but why should there be? This is another in a continuing succession of orthodox 80s adherence, brought to you courtesy of Andy La Rocque and Joacim Cans, two Swedes who know a solid convert to the metal church when they see one. Don’t expect something all that different from the likes of Messiah’s Kiss, Mean Streak, or a number of other bands who’ve taken this route with little accounting for innovation. But do expect something that rocks as hard as a tsunami smashing into a mountain and forces you to sing along.