Jacob's Dream make slightly prog power metal on their second slab of epic-ness for Metal Blade. Ain't ever heard these fellow Midwesterners myself before having this foisted upon me by Editor Jason, so here goes.
Few acts have been so apt at describing their art by comparing themselves to other bands as Jacob's Dream when on their website they cite Iron Maiden and Queensryche as touchstones for newbies to their brand of aural assault. The Maiden citation covers the way JD pummel with crunchy riffs born out of the Brit metal new wave of the early 80s. Dropping Queensryche's name draws a parallel for the Jacobians' use of ethereal keyboard atmospheres and rococo guitar flourishes. Yum yum.
Couple that aural modus operandi with a lyrical sense that, on the most aggressive tracks, comes on like a Gideon's schoolyard Bible (that is, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs), interpolated with the grandiose savagery of Frank Frazetta illustrating a "Conan The Barbarian" graphic novel, and you have a lethal force on your hands . . . or in your CD deck. It all comes to a climax on their paean to the creation of the A-bomb, "Critical Mass."
More common are topics taken from scriptural perspectives. The titular ditty casts Cain's slaying of Abel as the origin of all warring. "Wisdom" wears its, uh, wisdom-bearing couplets like the most imprecatory Kansas tableau ("Carry On My Wayward Dust In The Wind," anybody?).
Maybe because power ballads have never been my cup of chai, "Sarah Williams" falls flattest of these nine tracks to my ears, but if you must have a power ballad, one about a penitent drunk driver makes for a more novel conceit than most.
Then there's the instrumental "De Machina Est Deo," which begs for ESPN to license it for some football or soccer coverage posthaste. If you need a break from David Taylor's high tenor (falsetto?) manliness, there ya go.
Cool that Jacob's Dream are working within the general market realm bringing a floridly poetic Gospel to whiplash-prone head-bangers. Cooler still that they have the rock to back up their spiritual power. Now where did I put my denim vest?
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2001Reviewed by Marco PovervestThe new Jacob's Dream is a real treat for fans of heavy melodic metal with power metal leanings. While I listen to this disc I can't help but be impressed by the neat arrangements that melt together elements of power, melody and emotion. It's all well produced, heavy with the guitar prominent in the mix. The craftsmanship is evident on Theater Of War, worked out in all details. Result is a tasty…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by D_ListerPower metal fans stand up and be counted! If you are not a power metal fan and are American, WAKE UP! The rest of the world embraces this music so heavily and for good reason. This CD is without a doubt the best Christian progressive/power metal I've ever heard. 'Wait a second...why haven't I heard of these guys?' you are asking. Because they are not in the Christian market. They are signed to…Similar sounding releases
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