
We must pray, pray a new way.
-- Dylem --
01/04/2020
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | progressive rock |
■ | Melodic rock |
Album artists:
■ | Melody Dylem | Vocals |
■ | Olivier Quinche | Drums |
■ | Valery Veings | Guitar |
■ | Loïc Duruz | Bass |
■ | Don | Keyboards |
Review
written by Stijn “Metal Shredder” Daneels.
[METAL SHREDDER REPORTING]
While creating
the playlist for the March 27 2020 episode of Belgian Metal Shredder On Air, I
was looking for a fun rock band to be played right after the Belgian symphonic
rock band Solitude Within and my eyes fell on the Swiss progressive rock band
Dylem. Both bands released new material in March (Solitude Within had a new
single called “Astray” and Dylem released a new EP), both bands had female
vocalists and sufficient musical similarities and differences to put them
together. And now it’s time to further delve into Dylem’s new EP!
[SHREDDING BASICS]
“Eye of the
Storm” is the first EP from the Swiss progressive rock band founded and named
after Melody Dylem, best known for her time as vocalist for the Swiss gothic
metal band Elferya. The EP is released through German record label 7Hard and
sent to us by their parent company 7Us Media Group. Vielen Dank!
After an
ambient intro called “Storm,” the EP’s title track comes in strongly with
powerful riffs, orchestral keyboards and choir backings and Dylem’s vocals. Her
voice has a tragic, vulnerable quality to it and the song’s beats remind me of
early Nightwish, with heavy beats and bombastic keyboard tunes. Next up is the
ballad “See You” and in this particular track Dylem delivers a truly terrific
vocal performance in a song that’s all about longing for a loved one’s touch
and presence and those feelings of loneliness get further amplified by the
moody keyboards, explosive guitars and pounding drums.
“Can’t Take
Anymore” begins as a piano-powered ballad before the tune turns into an upbeat
motivational tune, this song also features several guitar solos and is arguably
the most progressive track on the EP. And finally “Far Beyond” brings out Dylem’s
more symphonic side with a lot of piano but the prog guitars still stand strong.
While Dylem’s
sound shares some ingredients with symphonic acts like Nightwish, Within
Temptation and Epica, Dylem leaves much of the orchestral stuff behind and focuses
on guitars and keyboards. The result is a more progressive-oriented sound while
retaining much of the operatic beauty of those aforementioned bands, a
different, but very enjoyable take.
[SHREDDING VISION]
The concept
of a storm is taken literally in “Eye of the Storm’s” artwork, showing a gigantic
storm destroying an entire city. I really like the details on the artwork, such
as the two silver-white doves flying in front of the dark grey storm and the
two people peacefully watching the ravage from a safe distance. It’s also a
great visual representation of the themes on this EP. The world may be in
shambles, but there’s still genuine hope for the future.
[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]
I really
enjoyed both the EP’s title track for its energetic symphonic rock beats and
the mesmerizing ballad “See You.” With the social and physical isolation caused
by the current COVID-19 crisis, “See You’s” theme of loneliness cuts even
deeper. It’s a very compelling and nowadays extremely relatable song.
Personally,
I don’t think it was necessary to have the “Storm” intro track. Even with its
short minute and a half runtime it still felt dragged out and the title track
of “Eye of The Storm” does a good enough job on its own to introduce Dylem’s
sound.
[SHREDDER’S SCORECARD]
8 white
doves out of 10. If you enjoy bands like Nightwish or Within Temptation but
wished they were less orchestral and more progressive then Dylem is a clear-cut
recommendation. Here’s the music video for “Eye of the Storm’s” title track.