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DREAM OR NIGHTMARE


"Demo 2001" (Self-Produced)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

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Joe Sims is a veteran of the metal underground having spent time in Axemaster and The Awakening from the mid-'80s through the mid-'90s. Dream Or Nightmare is Sims' new band and this demo shows where Sims is going with his music. Dream Or Nightmare blend true metal and thrash/speed metal that isn't too polished for the sake of itself. Yeah, it's a demo, but it's OK to have a few rough edges as long as the music carries itself with confidence.

Dream Or Nightmare's first demo is a promising effort. The four songs here give Dream Or Nightmare a chance to showcase their aggressive style and another opportunity to display Sims' ever expanding guitar skills. Post-Metallica thrash is still an apt description with the music now having a late '90s darker, grittier edge to it. The true metal influences sound like Steel Prophet may have been somehow spliced into the band's musical DNA.

As opposed to previous efforts, it looks like Sims' bandmates this time around are fully capable of matching his experience and expertise. Dream Or Nightmare sounds more like a band than either Axemaster or The Awakening ever did.

All the songs on this demo were written, arranged, and produced by Dream Or Nightmare. 

Dream Or Nightmare is Javier Colon on vocals, Joe Sims and Jim Arnold on guitar, Dave Rhynard on bass, and Russ Kirk on drums. 

For more information, check out www.geocities.com/dreamornightmare2000.

To purchase Dream Or Nightmare's demo contact:
Joe Sims
PO Box 3046
Kent, OH, 44240, USA.


Rating Guide:

retinysaw.gif (295 bytes)retinysaw.gif (295 bytes)retinysaw.gif (295 bytes)retinysaw.gif (295 bytes) A classic. This record will kick your ass.

retinysaw.gif (295 bytes)retinysaw.gif (295 bytes)retinysaw.gif (295 bytes) Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

retinysaw.gif (295 bytes)retinysaw.gif (295 bytes) So-so. You've heard better.

retinysaw.gif (295 bytes) Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

restinks.jpg (954 bytes) Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.


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Copyright © 2001 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06 Oct 2019 11:50:32 -0400.