Jacobs Dream - Drama Of The Ages
Metal Blade Records - SPV CD085 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
American act Jacob's Dream have been variously described as trad, power and prog metal, and third album Drama Of The Ages sees them breaking in a new singer and flexing their musical muscle across twelve tracks of occasionally symphonic, dark and crunchy heavy metal that recalls older Queensryche more than it does Dream Theater. The problem with this album is that there isn't too much of what the title promises - the songwriting is sadly lacking in the 'drama' department. While the rhythm guitar parts are suitably crunchy in their riffage and the leads are appropriately histrionic, the new vocalist's somewhat limited vocal range and the haphazard symphonic synth accompaniments make this a fairly uninspiring listen.
The album picks up somewhat when moving into slightly thrashier, more fast-paced territories - 'Tempest' and 'Forever Winter's heavier riffage and more driving pace mark the high points of the album - but for the most part, Jacob's Dream stumble whilst striving for the epic, rendering this album somewhat middle-of-the-road. It's not a bad album by any means - it just seems like there's a far greater band straining to be heard beneath workmanlike songcraft. The slightly murky production and weak drum sound don't particularly help matters either, leaving the more punchy riffage frustratingly emasculated.
Not an essential release, then - but if you're hungry for some more old-school heavy metal, this may fill the gap adequately well. There's still time for Jacob's Dream to make the great record that I suspect that they have in them - sadly, though, this isn't it.
5.5/10
Official Jacobs Dream Website
Official Metal Blade Website
Metal Blade Records - SPV CD085 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
American act Jacob's Dream have been variously described as trad, power and prog metal, and third album Drama Of The Ages sees them breaking in a new singer and flexing their musical muscle across twelve tracks of occasionally symphonic, dark and crunchy heavy metal that recalls older Queensryche more than it does Dream Theater. The problem with this album is that there isn't too much of what the title promises - the songwriting is sadly lacking in the 'drama' department. While the rhythm guitar parts are suitably crunchy in their riffage and the leads are appropriately histrionic, the new vocalist's somewhat limited vocal range and the haphazard symphonic synth accompaniments make this a fairly uninspiring listen.
The album picks up somewhat when moving into slightly thrashier, more fast-paced territories - 'Tempest' and 'Forever Winter's heavier riffage and more driving pace mark the high points of the album - but for the most part, Jacob's Dream stumble whilst striving for the epic, rendering this album somewhat middle-of-the-road. It's not a bad album by any means - it just seems like there's a far greater band straining to be heard beneath workmanlike songcraft. The slightly murky production and weak drum sound don't particularly help matters either, leaving the more punchy riffage frustratingly emasculated.
Not an essential release, then - but if you're hungry for some more old-school heavy metal, this may fill the gap adequately well. There's still time for Jacob's Dream to make the great record that I suspect that they have in them - sadly, though, this isn't it.
5.5/10
Official Jacobs Dream Website
Official Metal Blade Website
