Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki´s Neverland - Reversing Time
Neverland successfully marry Heavy Metal and orchestra in a special harmony. A collaboration between the Turkish band Dreamtone and Greek vocalist Iris Mavraki has resulted in this new band and an impressive debut.
 
The music is an interesting blend of styles where elements from Power, Heavy and Progressive metal are combined with a full symphony orchestra, guitar solos that flow rather than assault and both female and male vocalists. This makes for a varied and atmospheric journey that can be explored many times. Unfortunately the album peaks too quickly.
 
Several guest stars appear through the album. Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian delivers a fine performance in the memorable To Lose the Sun and embodies the song with a hint of melancholy that only he can provide. This is the one song that stands out right away and unfortunately the album never quite reaches the same heights again. One thing the album lacks is more standout moments like this one song. It does however survive on a consistent high quality throughout.
 
Production-wise the music suffers from distortion in several songs, most apparent in Mankind is a lie. It is as if parts of the album have been mastered too loud and this is a real shame. Besides this the production is good and gives room for all instruments.
 
Other guests include Tom Englund of Evergrey and Mike Baker and Gary Wehrkamp of Shadow Gallery but none make as big an impact as Hansi Kürsch.
Being a big fan of both, I enjoyed Mike Baker's appearance on the title track as well as Tom Englund's emotional performance on World beyond these walls where he hits just the right tone. Overall a superb choice of guest singers.
 
Iris takes the spotlight on several occasions. Everlasting Tranquility and Mountain of Judgement unfolds her voice in all its splendor and on several other tracks she is roaming around in the background adding small details.
I'm guessing that Gary Wehrkamp appears on Mountain of Joy where the second guitar solo has a much sharper bite than is the case on the rest of the album. An interesting aspect is how the guitar solos flow along with the music throughout the album. It works very well and adds to the albums atmosphere and warmth.
 
Some fantastic melodies and atmospheres can be enjoyed here, but in the end something unique is lacking to bind it all together. Reversing Time is still a great debut and a valiant attempt at creating something new. It will be interesting to hear how the band develops.

Written by Steen
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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Ratings

Steen: 7/10

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Review by Steen

Released by
AFM - 2008

Tracklisting
01. Shooting Star
02. To Lose The Sun
03. Mankind Is A Lie
04. Everlasting Tranquillity
05. Reversing Time
06. Black Water
07. Mountain Of Judgement
08. Mountain Of Joy
09. World Beyond These Walls
10. Transcending Miracle


Supplied by Target


Style
Symphonic Metal

Related links
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Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki´s Neverland - Official Website

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