Dream Evil
Encyclopedia
Dream Evil is a heavy metal
band from Sweden
, assembled and integrated by renowned musical producer Fredrik Nordström
in 1999.
had the ambition of creating a power metal band of his own for a long time, but had difficulty finding anyone with musical ideals similar to his own. However, while on holiday in the Greek
islands during the year of 1999, Nordström met the young guitarist
Gus G.
(from Firewind
). The musicians got along quite well, despite an age difference of over a decade. Plans for a band commenced - Gus had already been planning to relocate to Gothenburg
, and upon his arrival he looked up Fredrik at Studio Fredman
to begin writing.
The first person asked to join the new band was Snowy Shaw
(from King Diamond
, Mercyful Fate
and Notre Dame
), but the drummer
initially refused their invitation. He would later change his mind and agreed to play on the band's debut album in a session capacity.
Vocalist Niklas Isfeldt had done backing vocals for some of HammerFall
's songs produced by Nordström, and since he was not involved in any major projects at the time, he agreed to take the position. He also brought along his longtime friend and Pure-X bandmate Peter Stålfors, who assumed bass
duties.
Up until the moment the first promotional photos were shot, the entire band had never been in the same place at the same time before. Some members did not even know each other.
The band soon got a deal with Century Media Records
, and intended to name themselves Dragonslayer due to the medieval and fantastical
themes of the songs written by Gus and Nordström. The label did not find the name original enough, and thus the band settled for the name Dream Evil, inspired by the Dio
album
of the same name.
Dream Evil's debut album was released in April 2002, and received positive feedback from the metal press. At one point the album, titled Dragonslayer, reached number one on the Japan
ese import charts. The band proceeded to play a series of festivals, and also supported Blind Guardian
during a part of their world tour.
The band members found that they got along well as a unit, despite the somewhat random manner by which they had been brought together - Snowy Shaw decided to join the band permanently, and Dream Evil went on their first Japanese tour. During their stay in Japan, the band was invited by HammerFall to support their 2003 European tour. Their label manager hinted that it would be a good idea to have a new album out by then.
With little time on their hands, the band wrote the basis of several songs on the flight back to Europe, and on the day of their arrival entered the studio in order to record a new album. They took two weeks in total to record Evilized
, and most songs were recorded as they had been written. It was released on the 20th of January, and one week later Dream Evil proceeded to tour Europe with HammerFall and the less known Masterplan.
For their third album, the band actually took time to write the songs and fine-tune them in the studio. The Book of Heavy Metal
took two months to be recorded, and was released in May 2004.
Guitarist Gus G. left the band in late 2004 in order to dedicate more time to Firewind, being replaced by Mark Black (then known as Mark U Black). Black had previously filled in for Gus on a few other occasions and replaced him permanently on their tour as support act for Saxon
.
Niklas Isfeldt and Peter Stålfors briefly left in 2005 to be replaced by Jake E. Berg (aka Jake Steel, of Dreamland) and Tommy Larsson, but 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 is set to be released January 25, 2010 in Europe and January 26, 2010 in North America.
On July 23, 2008, the band announced that their first live DVD/CD set, Gold Medal in Metal (Alive & Archive)
, was released on August 25, 2008. In a interview with bass player Peter Stalfors he talked about a new album for 2012.
Session musicians:
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, assembled and integrated by renowned musical producer Fredrik Nordström
Fredrik Nordström
Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born on 5 January 1967, is a Swedish record producer and guitar player for the heavy metal band Dream Evil. Nordström is one of the leading melodic death metal producers in Sweden, and he has worked with some of the genre's top acts, including At the Gates, Arch Enemy,...
in 1999.
Biography
Producer Fredrik NordströmFredrik Nordström
Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born on 5 January 1967, is a Swedish record producer and guitar player for the heavy metal band Dream Evil. Nordström is one of the leading melodic death metal producers in Sweden, and he has worked with some of the genre's top acts, including At the Gates, Arch Enemy,...
had the ambition of creating a power metal band of his own for a long time, but had difficulty finding anyone with musical ideals similar to his own. However, while on holiday in the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
islands during the year of 1999, Nordström met the young guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Gus G.
Gus G.
Kostas Karamitroudis aka Gus G., born September 12, 1980 in Thessaloniki, Greece is a heavy metal guitarist. He currently plays with his band Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne...
(from Firewind
Firewind
Firewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
). The musicians got along quite well, despite an age difference of over a decade. Plans for a band commenced - Gus had already been planning to relocate to Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, and upon his arrival he looked up Fredrik at Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman is a recording studio in Göteborg, Sweden, owned and operated by producer Fredrik Nordström.It is popular among Swedish metal bands, with artists such as At the Gates, Deathstars, Nightrage, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth, In Flames, Zonaria,...
to begin writing.
The first person asked to join the new band was Snowy Shaw
Snowy Shaw
Snowy Shaw, born Tommie Helgesson in 25 July 1968, is a Swedish heavy metal musician , based in the port city of Gothenburg in the west coast of Sweden. He has played with many heavy metal bands, like King Diamond, Dream Evil, Mercyful Fate, IllWill, Notre Dame and Memento Mori...
(from King Diamond
King Diamond (band)
King Diamond is the heavy metal band that King Diamond formed after the split up of his heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, and the departure of Hank Shermann. He was joined by most members of the then defunct Mercyful Fate. The Satanic focus was replaced by a focus on horror stories...
, Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
and Notre Dame
Notre Dame (band)
Notre Dame was a Swedish metal band formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2004. Members included Snowy Shaw and Vampirella and Jean-Pierre de Sade and Mannequin de Sade two brothers who claimed to be descendants of legendary revolutionary writer Marquis de Sade.The band mixed black metal with elements...
), but the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
initially refused their invitation. He would later change his mind and agreed to play on the band's debut album in a session capacity.
Vocalist Niklas Isfeldt had done backing vocals for some of HammerFall
HammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
's songs produced by Nordström, and since he was not involved in any major projects at the time, he agreed to take the position. He also brought along his longtime friend and Pure-X bandmate Peter Stålfors, who assumed bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
duties.
Up until the moment the first promotional photos were shot, the entire band had never been in the same place at the same time before. Some members did not even know each other.
The band soon got a deal with Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
, and intended to name themselves Dragonslayer due to the medieval and fantastical
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
themes of the songs written by Gus and Nordström. The label did not find the name original enough, and thus the band settled for the name Dream Evil, inspired by the Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
album
Dream Evil (album)
Dream Evil is Dio's fourth album, released on July 21, 1987. It features former Rough Cutt members Craig Goldy and Claude Schnell, and includes the singles "All The Fools Sailed Away" and "I Could Have Been a Dreamer"...
of the same name.
Dream Evil's debut album was released in April 2002, and received positive feedback from the metal press. At one point the album, titled Dragonslayer, reached number one on the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese import charts. The band proceeded to play a series of festivals, and also supported Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
during a part of their world tour.
The band members found that they got along well as a unit, despite the somewhat random manner by which they had been brought together - Snowy Shaw decided to join the band permanently, and Dream Evil went on their first Japanese tour. During their stay in Japan, the band was invited by HammerFall to support their 2003 European tour. Their label manager hinted that it would be a good idea to have a new album out by then.
With little time on their hands, the band wrote the basis of several songs on the flight back to Europe, and on the day of their arrival entered the studio in order to record a new album. They took two weeks in total to record Evilized
Evilized
Evilized is the second full length album by the Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil.-Track listing:#"Break the Chains" – 3:32#"By My Side" – 3:38#"Fight You 'Till the End" – 3:53#"Evilized" – 4:43#"Invisible" – 2:53#"Bad Dreams" – 3:10...
, and most songs were recorded as they had been written. It was released on the 20th of January, and one week later Dream Evil proceeded to tour Europe with HammerFall and the less known Masterplan.
For their third album, the band actually took time to write the songs and fine-tune them in the studio. The Book of Heavy Metal
The Book of Heavy Metal
The Book of Heavy Metal is the 3rd full length album by the Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil. This is the last album to feature Gus G. and Snowy Shaw.-Track listing:#"The Book Of Heavy Metal " – 5:25...
took two months to be recorded, and was released in May 2004.
Guitarist Gus G. left the band in late 2004 in order to dedicate more time to Firewind, being replaced by Mark Black (then known as Mark U Black). Black had previously filled in for Gus on a few other occasions and replaced him permanently on their tour as support act for Saxon
Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
.
Niklas Isfeldt and Peter Stålfors briefly left in 2005 to be replaced by Jake E. Berg (aka Jake Steel, of Dreamland) and Tommy Larsson, but 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
Patrik Jerksten
Anders Patrik Jerksten aka Patrik J., Patrik J. Sten or Pat Power, born July 19, 1974 in Sweden, is a professional sound engineer and Heavy metal drummer for Passenger & Dream Evil...
), a co-worker of Fredrik Nordström from Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman is a recording studio in Göteborg, Sweden, owned and operated by producer Fredrik Nordström.It is popular among Swedish metal bands, with artists such as At the Gates, Deathstars, Nightrage, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth, In Flames, Zonaria,...
, as Snowy's replacement.
The first album featuring the new line-up, United
United (Dream Evil album)
United is the 4th full length album by the Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil. This is the first album by Dream Evil since the departures of Gus G...
, 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
In the Night (album)
In the Night is the 5th full length album by the Swedish power metal band Dream Evil.-Track listing:#"Immortal" - 4:38#"In the Night" - 3:15#"Bang Your Head" - 3:52#"See the Light" - 3:40#"Electric" - 3:50#"Frostbite" - 3:31#"On the Wind" - 3:45...
. The album is set to be released January 25, 2010 in Europe and January 26, 2010 in North America.
On July 23, 2008, the band announced that their first live DVD/CD set, Gold Medal in Metal (Alive & Archive)
Gold Medal in Metal (dream evil album)
Gold Medal in Metal is the first live DVD/CD released by Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil. It includes a DVD featuring the band playing live at the Sticky Fingers in their hometown of Gothenburg on November 25, 2006, directed and produced by Patric Ullaeus , a CD audio version, and an...
, was released on August 25, 2008. In a interview with bass player Peter Stalfors he talked about a new album for 2012.
Line-up
- Niklas Isfeldt - Vocals (1999–Present)
- Daniel Varghamne - Lead GuitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2007–Present) - Fredrik NordströmFredrik NordströmBjörn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born on 5 January 1967, is a Swedish record producer and guitar player for the heavy metal band Dream Evil. Nordström is one of the leading melodic death metal producers in Sweden, and he has worked with some of the genre's top acts, including At the Gates, Arch Enemy,...
- Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1999–Present) - Peter Stålfors - BassBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
(1999–2005, 2005–Present) - Pat PowerPatrik JerkstenAnders Patrik Jerksten aka Patrik J., Patrik J. Sten or Pat Power, born July 19, 1974 in Sweden, is a professional sound engineer and Heavy metal drummer for Passenger & Dream Evil...
- DrumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
(2006–Present)
Former members
- Gus G.Gus G.Kostas Karamitroudis aka Gus G., born September 12, 1980 in Thessaloniki, Greece is a heavy metal guitarist. He currently plays with his band Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne...
- Lead GuitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1999–2004) - Mark Black - Lead GuitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2004–2007) - Snowy ShawSnowy ShawSnowy Shaw, born Tommie Helgesson in 25 July 1968, is a Swedish heavy metal musician , based in the port city of Gothenburg in the west coast of Sweden. He has played with many heavy metal bands, like King Diamond, Dream Evil, Mercyful Fate, IllWill, Notre Dame and Memento Mori...
- DrumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
(1999–2006) - Jake E. Lundberg - Vocals (2005)
- Tommy Larsson - BassBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
(2005)
Session musicians:
- Magnus Olsfelt - BassBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
- Daniel SvenssonDaniel SvenssonDaniel Svensson is the current drummer and youngest member of the Swedish band In Flames, and drummer / vocalist for the band Sacrilege GBG. He was also in Diabolique before he joined In Flames in 1998 to fill the position created when Björn Gelotte moved from drums to guitars...
- DrumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a... - Klas Bas - BassBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Discography
- Dragonslayer – (2002)
- EvilizedEvilizedEvilized is the second full length album by the Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil.-Track listing:#"Break the Chains" – 3:32#"By My Side" – 3:38#"Fight You 'Till the End" – 3:53#"Evilized" – 4:43#"Invisible" – 2:53#"Bad Dreams" – 3:10...
– (2003) - The Book of Heavy MetalThe Book of Heavy MetalThe Book of Heavy Metal is the 3rd full length album by the Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil. This is the last album to feature Gus G. and Snowy Shaw.-Track listing:#"The Book Of Heavy Metal " – 5:25...
– (2004) - UnitedUnited (Dream Evil album)United is the 4th full length album by the Swedish heavy metal band Dream Evil. This is the first album by Dream Evil since the departures of Gus G...
– (2006) - In the NightIn the Night (album)In the Night is the 5th full length album by the Swedish power metal band Dream Evil.-Track listing:#"Immortal" - 4:38#"In the Night" - 3:15#"Bang Your Head" - 3:52#"See the Light" - 3:40#"Electric" - 3:50#"Frostbite" - 3:31#"On the Wind" - 3:45...
– (2010) - "TBA" (2012)
EPs
- Children of the Night – (EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, 2003) - The First Chapter – (EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, 2004)