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"Burn These Dreams" is the second full-length album by Edmonton, Alberta's The Order of Chaos. The band won "Heavy Metal Album of the Year" award in 2013, according to their web site, but I don't know who honoured them with it. It wasn't a Juno Award, but nevertheless, recognition is still recognition!
The Order of Chaos's music style covers heavy metal, thrash metal, and power metal. Vocalist Amanda Kiernan sings in both clean vocals and a powerful fried vocal. Not a death growl but more of a higher-toned, throat-shredding harsh vocal style.
The album begins with the first three tracks showcasing the bands more technical playing style, and Kiernan's harsh vocals are heard more frequently than her clean singing. This gives the impression of a melodic death metal band almost except that the darker edge isn't there. The speedy guitar playing and drumming do sound more like technical thrash metal. The third track, "Hell Is Forever" includes a really awesome riff near the end.
Tracks 5 and 8 - "For Another Moment" and "End of an Era" respectively - are more melodic with clean vocals mostly. Kiernan's voice is quite an ear-catcher as she sings beautiful melodies. Other tracks on the album include more clean vocals than harsh vocals. I personally really like her clean singing and when the harsh vocals come in for emphasis or effect, it's really good. The songs were she uses her harsh vocals more I find less to my preference.
Lead guitarist, John Simon Fallon, is great both at shredding and playing more melodic leads. As well, we get fast, thrashy riffs, technical riffing, and more classic metal riffs. The band holds their heavy metal position as well as prove they can sway towards thrash or more technical playing. I don't really sense anything from the power metal zone except perhaps a little on the 8-minute plus "Darklord".
The closing track, "Guns 'n' Order" is a surprise though. It's essentially and good-time, party-it-up rock and roller but with something a bit less cheery after the chorus. The chorus itself is the best part with a very catchy, rhythm. "All you crazy metal mother fuckers won't you bang your heads / And all you sexy little women throw your hands up in the air". It's really a song for pickup trucks and outdoor music festivals!
The album initially didn't hold my attention well. Now that I am better acquainted with it, I have my favourite songs and favourite moments. It could be said that the style changes seem a bit too random at first and we are not sure if this is a melodic metal band or a technical thrash band with harsh vocals. And then the final track comes on to really throw you for a loop! But I'm cool with it now. It's good stuff.
If I have one gripe it's the sound production. There's a feeling of everything being a bit smooshed together. It's what I call "heavy wool blanket production" - you have all the instruments sharp and clear and then you throw a heavy wool blanket over top and the edge is taken away. Basically, if this album is not cranked, you're not getting your ass kicked!
For the production numbing down the music a bit and for the slow take up, I'm giving "Burn These Dreams" only 3 1/2 stars. I'm hoping to hear either their third or fourth album (CD sold out!) and see how it compares to this one. Still, The Order of Chaos have some pretty strong talent!