Fredrik had the ambition of creating a band of his own for a long time, but was yet to find somebody with musical ideals similar to his. However, while on holiday on the Greek islands during the year of 1999, he met guitarist Gus G (from Firewind and Mystic Prophecy). The two musicians got along quite well, despite their age difference of over a decade. Plans for Dream Evil commenced, and shortly, Gus boarded a plane to Gothenburg, on which he and Fredrik began writing material for the band.
In order for Dream Evil to become the band that they were idealizing, it would need to have musicians of exceptional talent. The person who first came to their minds was Snowy Shaw (from King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Notre Dame), but the drummer initially refused their invitation. Later on he changed his mind and agreed to play on the band's debut album.
Vocalist Niklas Isfeldt had done backing vocals for some of HammerFall's songs produced by Fredrik, and since Isfeldt was not involved in any major project at the time, it was decided that he was a good choice for Dream Evil. Niklas had shown a lot of promise in his test, and it was soon decided that he would become a definitive part of the band. He also brought along his friend Peter Stålfors, who assumed the bass.
The fact remains that, up until the moment the promotional photos were shot, the whole of the band had not been in the same place at the same time even once. Some members did not even know each other.
The band soon got a deal with Century Media Records, and intended to name themselves Dragonslayer due to the themes of the songs which had been written by Gus and Fredrik, which had a strong focus on medieval and fantastical themes. However, their label did not find the name original enough, and thus the band settled with the name Dream Evil, inspired by the title of Dio's album Dream Evil.
Dream Evil's debut album was released on April of 2002 and received positive feedback from the specialized press. At one point, the album — entitled Dragonslayer — reached number one on the Japanese import charts. The band proceeded to play a series of festivals and also supported Blind Guardian during part of their world tour.
The members of Dream Evil got along well despite the seemingly random manner by which they had been brought together. Snowy Shaw then joined the band permanently and Dream Evil went on their first Japanese tour. During their stay in Japan the band was invited by HammerFall to support their 2003 European tour. Their label manager hinted that it would be a good idea to have a new album out by then.
With little time on their hands, the band wrote the basis of most songs on the flight to Europe and on the day of their arrival entered the studio in order to record a new album. They took two weeks in total to record Evilised and most songs were recorded as they were written. It was released on the 20th of January, and one week later Dream Evil proceeded to tour Europe with HammerFall and the less known Masterplan.
In June of the same year the band returned for a second Japanese tour and Gus G was featured on the cover of Young Guitar Magazine, a magazine well respected by musicians from around the globe. During the promotional tour of their next single, Gus was already committed to playing with Mystic Prophecy. Thus, Snowy Shawn took upon his hands the task of playing the lead guitar sections of the Dream Evil songs.
For their third album the band actually took time to write the songs and fine-tune them in the studio. The Book of Heavy Metal took two months to be recorded and was released in May of 2004.
Guitarist Gus G left the band in late 2004 in order to dedicate more time to Firewind, being replaced by Markus Black (also known as Mark U Black).
Niklas Isfeldt and Peter Stålfors briefly left in 2005 to be replaced by Jake E. Berg (aka Jake Steel, of Dreamland) and Tommy Larsson, but returned before recordings or live shows were done. At the start of 2006, Snowy Shaw abruptly quit Dream Evil.
After a half year of silence, Dream Evil published a statement on their homepage and announced that they had a new drummer, whose name was Pat Power (aka Patrik Jerksten) and that they had recorded 18 new songs. The 18 said songs where released on the album United on October 13, 2006.
On August 13, 2007, the band posted news on their official website concerning an upcoming release, titled Gold Medal in Metal, which would contain some tracks previously released only in Japan as bonus tracks and some new recordings, as well as a DVD containing a live performance from November 25, 2006 in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is tentatively set to be released in November or December of 2007.
The 7th Day
Dream Evil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thousands of caves, I've been everywhere
Got nowhere to hide now
your days are over!
You choose the weapon now
I choose the field
Let's get this straight!
Soon you will die!
Stand up and fight!
Fight for your life!
Blood everywhere, swords up the sky
Wings of the beast lie on the ground
Soon you will die!
Thunder and lighting, fire and storm
On the 7th day Heavy Metal was born!
Got nowhere to hide now,
your days are over
You choose the weapon
Now I choose the field
Let's get this straight!
Fight for your life
Soon you will die
Stand up and fight
Fight for your life
Blood everywhere, swords up the sky
Wings of the beast lie on the ground
Soon you will die!
Took my sword up
and opened the dragon's chest
I ripped its heart out, gave it eternal rest
The power strikes through me,
your days are over
You choose your weapon now
I choose the field
Let's get this straight!
Blood everywhere, swords up the sky
Wings of the beast lie on the ground
Soon you will die!
Reflecting steel, cuts through the flesh
it shows its fear, death is in the air!
The song "The 7th Day" by Dream Evil is a power metal track, with lyrics that tell the story of a warrior who has been on a long and arduous search for his enemy. He has scoured thousands of caves and has finally found his prey. There will be no hiding or running away from this confrontation as their days are over. The warrior is ready for battle, and he allows his enemy to choose the weapon while he selects the field. The chorus rings with the call to action to fight for one's life, as death is imminent. The battle ensues, and blood is shed, swords are raised to the sky, and the wings of beasts lie on the ground as the two foes engage in an epic battle. The imagery is fierce, with thunder and lightning, fire, and storm as the setting.
Line by Line Meaning
The search is over, I'm finally there
After an extensive journey, I have reached my destination.
Thousands of caves, I've been everywhere
I have traveled far and wide, exploring every possible option.
Got nowhere to hide now, your days are over!
Your time for hiding and evasion is up, you must face the consequences of your actions.
You choose the weapon now, I choose the field
You have the choice of select which tool to use, but I am in charge of the setting of the battle.
Let's get this straight!
Let's make the terms of the contest clear and understood by all parties involved.
Fight for your life!
Struggle with all your might to stay alive!
Soon you will die!
Your end will come swiftly and without mercy.
Stand up and fight!
Do not assume a defensive position, instead engage in the confrontation with physical force.
Blood everywhere, swords up the sky
The battle is fierce and violent, with swords raised high in the air and blood staining the ground.
Wings of the beast lie on the ground
The fallen creature of our rival lies on the earth, no longer able to take flight.
Thunder and lighting, fire and storm
The fight is intense and chaotic, with the elements of nature lending their power to both sides.
On the 7th day Heavy Metal was born!
This battle was pivotal to the emergence and birth of the genre of Heavy Metal music.
Took my sword up and opened the dragon's chest
I pierced the dragon's protective scales with my sword and reached into its center.
I ripped its heart out, gave it eternal rest
I ended its life by extracting its heart, ensuring its eternity in peace.
The power strikes through me, your days are over
I am infused with the energy of this triumph, bringing an end to your reign of terror.
Reflecting steel, cuts through the flesh
My blade reflects sunlight as it cuts through flesh, as the opponent draws close in their desperation.
it shows its fear, death is in the air!
The opponent is afraid and aware that this is their end, with the scent of death overpowering the atmosphere.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ted Roddy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind