After their nice debut album “Disciples of War” in 2019 and the pause brought on by the pandemic/lockdowns, Greek band Dreamlord returns stronger than ever with their sophomore release, “Artificial Imprisonment”. True to their roots, the band remain firmly in the classic thrash metal vein of Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Sacred Reich and Slayer — and they show no intention of changing course. “Artificial Imprisonment” is a pure thrash metal assault, packed with razor-sharp riffs, breakneck tempos, massive grooves, complex arrangements and venomous, spit-out vocals. At the same time, the album balances its ferocity with well-placed melodies and mid-tempo passages, which highlight the band’s heavy, extreme metal core. The technical guitar solos and moody atmospheres stand out as well, adding both depth and character to the record. Lyrically, Dreamlord tackle pressing social issues, voicing their concerns about humanity and its struggles. While the band doesn’t reinvent thrash metal, their powerful mix of crushing riffs and thought-provoking lyrics ensures they stand out in today’s scene. “Artificial Imprisonment” is a true companion piece for fans of heavy metal music, an album that reveals more of its intensity and brilliance with every listen. Give it some time to unfold, and it will shock you with how captivating and devastating it truly is. If Dreamlord’s dream was to create a great old-school thrash metal album, they’ve already succeeded big time. Now, it’s up to them to build their reputation and claim a good place in the vast metal world. From me, it’s a definite, loud yes!
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
