The Dreamside is a Dutch band, formed in 1994 by Vita, a Dutch – Italian. Their early work was described as Dark Wave or Dark Ethereal. A number of musicians passed through the band and there were actually a variety of flavours of music during those first years. However, with the turn of the century, Dreamside moved to a more metal oriented sound. . .and have pretty much stayed there ever since then. There is a dark side to the music, but there is also a dance tempo provided by the background musicians that take Dreamside to a different place than many Gothic bands, especially those who tend towards the Symphonic. This has separated the Dreamside from other bands throughout their careers and is an ongoing trait of the music.

In addition to Vita, the Dreamside includes Roman Schonsee on Subase, Fried Bruggink on String One and Cees Viset on String Two (guitars). Drumming is addressed by Merijn Mol. And, there is at least one additional performer whose contribution requires mention, since it has more to say about this band and this CD than just the musical contribution. The fourth cut, Open Your Eyes features a vocal contribution from Rogue of Cruxshadows. Cruxshadows is an American band from the Tallahassee, Florida area with several members coming from the Florida State University Theatre department. Now, having had some association with that department, one of the finest in the land, it’s not hard to see the influence of that background on the band. And, one could suggest that there is a similar influence on the music. . .and the look, of Dreamside. There is definitely a performance style, as well as a theatrical sound to the Dreamside totality that has significant similarity to that of Cruxshadows.

Although the Dreamside uses the term Gothic to describe their music, it is not Gothic in the same sense as a Nightwish, a Tristania or even countrymen (and women) After Forever or Epica. The Dreamside is a more atmospheric, a more danceable form of gothic music. For instance, the first song on the CD, Into a Frenzy begins with a drumline and a typical guitar based sound leading into the Kemi Vita vocals. The sound has a mystical flavour to it, along with some fine guitar riffs that do a fine job of introducing the listener to the Dreamside sound. This is followed by Forsaken, another highlight of the CD but with a different tone and feel. It begins with a sorrowful violin leading into the song and then takes a slower, more orchestrated approach as Kemi Vita sings:

One of the themes often found in the Dreamside music is a rapid change of pace within individual songs, and it occurs in Forsaken with a degree of consistency as the band goes from quiet and soothing to hard core metal.

Clearly, the most widely appreciated song on the CD would have to be the aforementioned Open Your Eyes, which is also released as a single. The song is a catchy duet between Vita and Rogue, with both singers meshing interesting vocal passages over a variety of instrumental backgrounds. There is a bit of the industrial approach to the music, as well as some direct ties to a more typical Cruxshadows sound. The lyrics are a bit less Gothic in nature.

Previous releases of the Dreamside were described as "ethereal wave" in style and one could argue that they have not completely left that description behind. It is there to be heard, however, it has been suggested that the band has grown and evolved into a more complete package, with the Gothic metal approach augmenting the more atmospheric influence of previous releases. This CD includes a broader musical approach as well, with some orchestration and appropriate use of choral work on certain titles. On Somewhere Before, the band makes use of sounds from multiple sources, both orchestral and natural to present a blend of backgrounds that serve to amplify the Vita vocals. The band can also do a fair interpretation of the Gothic Horror Show as in The Feast is Set, almost a tribute to Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance fame. There’s more of this sound in the title cut, Spin Moon Magic, although a little less theatrical. The band moves between themes and sounds effortlessly, going from the gothic to the more atmospheric epic compositions like Gates of Dawn and Nocturnal in the blink of an eye.

However, throughout it all, it is the vocal component, Kemi Vita, that identifies the Dreamside. Her vocal range takes us from one format to another, with little more to be wished for, from her or the rest of the band. You may not like all the songs on this CD (and then again, you just might like them all), but it is highly unlikely you won’t like some of them. There’s just too much range here, too many high points, too much diversification . . . and just too much good music not to catch you some place. And I suspect the only thing better than listening to the music would be watching it performed. . . that’s one of the benefits of that theatre approach, and The Dreamside has it down as well as anyone.

8 / 10