The Dreaming are not Stabbing Westward. However, for album number three ‘Rise Again’, only the deaf (and not even most of them, because I am deaf and it is obvious to me) or a fool would fail to notice that some of the ingredients that made Stabbing Westward great have been thrown in the mix in greater concentrations than ever before.
Now, unlike some of my peers who held a love for the music of Stabbing Westward, I have always enjoyed the releases from The Dreaming, from the first self released EP lovingly hand packaged and distributed by singer Chris Hall to their 2011 album ‘Puppet’. Chris Hall’s voice is remarkable, whatever band he is singing in, and that alone brings with it a familiarity in sound. That aside, The Dreaming were always more of a straight up rock affair. They had more evident pop sensibilities and the music was generally less minor key with less of a bleak weight on its shoulders. Electronics were still present, but less significant. A love for electronic music never disappeared though, with a cover version of Depeche Mode’s ‘It’s No Good’ popping up on ‘Puppets’.
Fast forward to 2015 and clearly some things have changed. Firstly a look at the line up reveals that the Stabbing Westward song writing team of Chris Hall and Walter Flakus are evident. Add to that former Stabbing Westward drummer Johnny Haro, guitarist Carlton Bost (of Orgy and Deadsy) and bassist Franccesca Alexandra. A change in sound should be no surprise then. Also, consider that Rhys Fulber got his industrial mitts stuck into the recording process. The result? Read on….
The album opens with the ominous and tribal brooding intro to Alone. Once into the track the heavier presence of electronics and more aggressive guitar tones are immediately evident, with Chris’s vocals as haunting as ever. Track number 2 ‘Pain Killers’ delivers punch number two with more killer synth riffs blended perfectly with the mix of acoustic and electronic percussion and razor sharp guitars. They keep coming thick and fast, with other album highlights for me including ‘Empty Promises’, ‘Afraid’ (a track dusted down from their debut EP) and ‘Blink of an Eye’. Dammit, there isn’t really a weaker track here.
What lifts this release above its predecessors is the balance that has been achieved. The songs were always well written and the sound was never bad. However, the deft (and recognisable in places) touch of Mr Fulber has ensured that the percussion is punchy, the synth work is given main stage when it needs to be and blends almost indistinguishably with the guitars when they step to the front of the mix. The overall combination is a head rush and Chris’s vocals soar with clarity and atmosphere.
Stabbing Westward are gone. Deal with it. The Dreaming are hear. Embrace that. The Dreaming who have delivered ‘Rise Again’ have much in common with the aforementioned band. The minor key somberness and acid electronic are present once again. However, these are measured against the sound that The Dreaming have nurtured, that is, a less oppressive and more open sound. These are my words and not theirs, but to these ears, The Dreaming are now a band that accept and maybe even embrace the things that worked well for Stabbing Westward and make these things their own. The result is a highly enjoyable alternative rock album with enough well rounded electronic elements to appeal to a wider audience too. International tour please.
