In listening to Spin Moon Magic, one is quickly reminded that The Dreamside came before their countrymen Within Temptation or bands such as Lacuna Coil or Evanescence. While this album will certainly appeal to fans of the... more » above-mentioned acts, The Dreamside clearly demonstrate that they are capable of evolution as well. Kemi Vita's vocals are both powerful and beautiful, whether they are the driving force behind a radio-rock anthem like Forsaken or serving as the sole contrast to a delicate piano line in Somewhere Before. The fourth track, "Open Your Eyes," features guest vocals by Rogue of The Cruxshadows. The disc contains the video for "Open Your Eyes" as well as a bonus remix of the band's first song in German, "Die Hoffnung."« less
In listening to Spin Moon Magic, one is quickly reminded that The Dreamside came before their countrymen Within Temptation or bands such as Lacuna Coil or Evanescence. While this album will certainly appeal to fans of the above-mentioned acts, The Dreamside clearly demonstrate that they are capable of evolution as well. Kemi Vita's vocals are both powerful and beautiful, whether they are the driving force behind a radio-rock anthem like Forsaken or serving as the sole contrast to a delicate piano line in Somewhere Before. The fourth track, "Open Your Eyes," features guest vocals by Rogue of The Cruxshadows. The disc contains the video for "Open Your Eyes" as well as a bonus remix of the band's first song in German, "Die Hoffnung."
CD Reviews
My first Dreamside cd
Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 01/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Spin Moon Magic" is my first Dreamside album. I have only been exposed to one song by the band and liked what I heard a whole lot. I recently received a copy of their latest album "Spin Moon Magic" and have been playing it quite a bit since getting it. Vocalist Kemi Vita has quite a distinct vocals that easily sets her apart from other female singers in the gothic metal genre. For me, she sounds like Shakira if she sang in english all the time. The first single off the album is the duet with The Cruxshadow's Rogue "Open Your Eyes", a catchy rock number. Rogue's vocals compliments Kemi's very nicely. It is really hard to pick a favorite song off the entire album. All of the songs are excellent but the songs that did stand out for me are "Into a Frenzy", "Gates of Dawn" and "Die Hoffnung"(dance version). The only flaw with the album is the shoddy production. Well I have to admit it is a step above the shoddy production of Inkubus Sukkubus' cds but not by much. When I am at the office, I have to turn up the volume on my computer to hear the music more clearly. Overall great cd!"
HELL YES !!!!!!
J'Ro | Tulsa, OK | 05/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an amazing rock-goth CD. Female singer Kemi is absolutely one of, if not, the best female singers out there. And she is gorgeous!!! Her vocals are strong. At times she sounds like Delores O'Riordan (with a Deutsche accent instead -- which is so alluring to me). The production quality of each song is strong. The lyrics are thoughtful and poetic.
The rhythm section of the band is progressive, strong, tight. Most songs are hard driving, such as "Forsaken," which is one of my favorites. The operatic vocal layering on "The Feast is Set" is stunning and the dual vocals of Kemi and Rogue (from the Cruxshadows) on "Open Your Eyes" makes the song another favorite. "Gates of Dawn" has a very nice guitar solo. "Dreaming all of you" adds a slight touch of vo-coder and again vocal layering which is very pretty during the chorus: "We're dreaming all of you; We are one in two." This song features heavy synthesizer and pounding, driving drums which compliments the vocals.
The last three songs on the CD are a slower tempo. On "Nocturnal" the lyrics and vocal delivery are emotion packed -- desperate, longing, anguished. "Joy Fire" is another example of great, thoughtful lyrics. How many times in commercial songs do you hear the vocalist crying out, "By all that's holy, true and strong." And then on "Slay Your Dragons": "Don't forget you're not alone. I offer you my comfort zone. Somehow I will be there for you. Slay your dragons!" Bonus trak "Die Hoffnung" in Deutsche.
If you want to invest in a CD from a band that features a strong female vocalist, tight musicianship, and great rock songs, "Spin Moon Magic" by the band The Dreamside is the CD for you.
This band proves you can shred the beast that is rock music -- and still be poets."
Old School Melodic Medal
Bob the Bear | At the Mountains of Madness | 05/05/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first got interested in this album when I heard "Spin Moon Magic" (title track) on a cheapie goth compelation CD I got at Hot Topic. So, I figured WTH and bought the album. I wasn't disappointed. Kemi Vita has a gorgeous voice and the above sample tracks don't do her justice. Track #6 "Somewhere Before" gives me goosebumps consistantly. My only complaint (and what's keeping me from giving it 5 stars) is that about half way through the album the songs start to get kinda repetative. Like if its playing in the background and you're not paying attension, you have to listen to the lyrics for a minute to know what song its on. But, even so, its still definately worth a listen."
Something different
stephen ward | TAS,AUSTRALIA | 09/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am mostly a fan of metal and trance,but also like alternative music inbetween the two genre's,so decided to try a few gothic/darkwave compilations including 'dancing in the dark 2006',which has the track 'in longing' from these guys,and it certainly appealed to my metal taste,and is basically similar to lacuna coil ,etc, except for the electronic elements,but got me very interested in other songs by this band. This album is actually quite diverse in its sounds,from the typical goth-rock sounds of 'open your eyes' which is an obvious track for a single,and should appeal fairly broadly, to more celtic sort of sounds that suit the cover art and its new age sort of look and title. I find 'forsaken' and 'open your eyes' are quite good,and I really like 'dreaming all of you' with its layered vocals in the chorus, which are nice sounding,then the harsher music and vocals that stop it sounding too nice and pop like, also 'slay your dragons' is excellent,as is the more electronic sounding bonus track 'die hoffnung'.I dont love every track,yet enjoyed the sound of all as a new experience, something different to listen to. This band sounds similar to gothic metal bands,about as heavy as epica or within temptation, yet without the classical influences, its decent heavy guitar but with more electronic influences and a bit of I'm not sure what,but I like its sound as it fills a gap I didnt know existed before hearing it. It certainly has that blend of harshness and beauty that makes gothic metal attractive, yet doesnt conform to what metal fans would consider proper metal,whatever that is these days!Its the sort of album and band that is so obscure most will never hear it,but I'm glad I found them. Not exactly party music to impress your friends,but the best stuff never is!"
Musical Magic
Mandragora | New Orleans, LA | 02/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This band just gets better with every cd, and Spin Moon Magic may well be their strongest release thus far. Wonderful melodies, beautiful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics all blend together to create a fantastic dimension of lush dreams and musical magic. Buy this cd, you won't be disappointed!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
