self-released (2012)

“Midnightmares,” the second full length from LA melodic death metallers Dreaming Dead sees them ploughing much the same fields as their 2009 debut “Within One”. The music is pacy with plenty of brutality, thrash influences and shades of the Swedish masters.

While there isn’t much that you won’t have heard before, it is put together so well that it is difficult to find fault. The drumming is varied and drives the music along while allowing for plenty of stops, changes and dynamism. The riffing is solid, working towards power, feeling or groove with equal competency. The vocals are excellent too, with front-woman Liz Schall turning in a fine performance.

Ok, so this record might not push the envelope enough to see Dreaming Dead enter the top flight. Plus, they might be a bit too middle of the road to encourage a legion of hardcore fans to tattoo the band’s name across their chest. On the flipside, the songs all work well and the album is highly accessible, meaning that it is one that listeners will return to and enjoy time and again – and that can’t be bad.

www.dreamingdead.com

Rating:  4.5 / 6

Composed by Peter Loftus