The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: Dreamweaver
Artist: Golem
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Release Date: 5/4/04

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Slither (5/28/04):
    The mighty Golem has finally awoken from its slumber, and by my estimation too much time has passed since Eternity: the Weeping Horizons, a deceptive little gem with tasteless cover art featuring tits and a sunset. Contained within that comical and faded packaging from 1996 is one of my favorite recordings of classic Death Metal. Having missed their official sophomore release, I made the unusual decision to pick up Dreamweaver at the local shop without first checking out samples online. I am pleased to report that my twelve dollars were incredibly well spent. Even though some member changes have taken place, the new line-up clearly spent their time practicing and brushing up on theory.

    Even though I applaud Nuclear Blast for releasing this excellent album, I think it is important to debunk one of their promotional statements. For some reason an unknown marketing genius decided to describe this band as, "the German Carcass." The track "Dispora" opens with a lead that could be described as Amott-like, but other than the dual vocal attack they adopted since I last heard them, the two are hardly comparable. Golem are not composing Grind while reading a stolen med-student's physiology textbook; their sense of melody and writing style places them in a league where similarities are more accurately drawn to Luciferion's Demonification, or Anasarca's Godmachine.

    For an idea of how Dreamweaver differs from Eternity, imagine, if you will, the band taking their already obvious love of syncopation to the next level and layering over the top of it their signature malevolent harmonies. Complexity garnished with melody and hints of classical composition are the order of the day; though there are some other notable stylistic changes since Eternity. Tasteful synth organs are used sparingly in some songs, and the lead guitars have adopted some Azagthothian vibrato. Not to such a extent that this album will draw Morbid Angel comparisons, disjointed groove is still the focus here; but there is a sense that they have been listening to Trey's back catalogue.

    The production on Dreamweaver takes an approach unique in the realm of Death Metal. Rather than create the illusion of traditional tone choice while sneaking in a set of drum triggers, Golem fully embrace a somewhat alien digital sound. The drums have that distinct snap that gives away the triggers, but they have matched the guitar tone and vocal layering with the unnatural sound of the drums. The result is an atmosphere that comes off as disturbing rather than sterile or contrived.

    My favorite track on this album is a tossup between "Starchild" and the hidden twelfth track: a bizarre interpretation of Igor Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring." Both songs epitomize the style and attention to detail that make Dreamweaver a triumph over mediocrity in the age of Unique Leader and Metalcore. Buy or Die.
    5 out of 5

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