If you want to determine whether someone is a serious
metal
connoisseur or has a more casual interest in
, try running certain names by him/her. It isn't unusual for folks who are only casually interested in
to have some
Metallica
,
Slipknot
Judas Priest
, or
Korn
in their CD collections -- those are huge, widely publicized bands -- but when a headbanger carries on enthusiastically about a cult band like
Meliah Rage
Budgie
Grief
Hellhammer
Saint Vitus
, you know you're talking to someone who lives and breathes
.
Flotsam & Jetsam
are another band that appeals to headbangers who dig much deeper than the basics; although never a major name, they have maintained a small cult following. Along the way,
have had numerous lineup changes -- and when you're that much of a revolving door, your work can be erratic. But in a sense,
are like
Saturday Night Live
-- even if they disappoint you today, you figure they'll bounce back creatively tomorrow. This 2005 release is their first album for
Crash Music
and their first since 2001's
My God
on
Metal Blade
-- and while it isn't among their essential releases, it isn't bad either. This time, the
thrash
veterans opted to provide a concept album; everything on the 47-minute disc revolves around the theme of death-related nightmares.
Dreams of Death
is best enjoyed as a whole, although aggressive yet darkly melodic tracks like
"Straight to Hell"
and
"Look in His Eyes"
can be listened to individually and still have some meaning.
doesn't pull off the conceptual thing as well as, say,
Queensryche
's
Operation: Mindcrime
-- the ultimate conceptual
masterpiece -- but it has more ups than downs and demonstrates that
can still be exciting after all these years. ~ Alex Henderson