“Difference” is actually the third album released by the Finnish power metal outfit Dreamtale. I’m not familiar with their previous albums but on this album we are threated with fast-paced power metal in the vein of bands such as Stratovarius, Helloween & Nightwish. Sounds like something you’ve heard before? Well, you probably have.

As always when it comes to newer power metal bands you have to ask yourself the questions “Are they original?” and “Do they bring anything new to the genre?”. Well, I can’t say that Dreamtale is the most original power metal act out there but that doesn’t mean that they are just another Stratovarius-wannabe. They write catchy tunes and bring in some influences from previously mentioned bands and create something that works surprisingly well, despite their lack of originality. What the band lacks in originality they make up for with strong musicianship and good energy. It sounds like the band had a lot of fun while recording this album and you can hear that in the songs.

Several of the riffs on this album are more straight-up heavy metal riffs than the typical fast palm-muted and galloping power metal riffs. Those fast riffs are there too of course but some of the riffs sounded very much like Lordi; especially in the song ‘New Life’. Another band that came to my mind when I was listening to the album was Nightwish. Mostly in the drumming department and occasionally the keyboards too. I swear, the drum-sound is identical to Nightwish! Listen to ‘Lucid Times’ and you will know what I mean. This song is actually my favorite one on the album so I guess they did something right here.

However, the vocalist doesn’t sound like Tarja at all (luckily for him since he’s a guy). Jarkko Kalevi Aloha is the name of the singer and he sounds a bit like Marco Hietala but with a much cheesier vocal-style. He’s a great vocalist, no doubt about that. Although I don’t doubt for one second that many people will be put off by his cheesy vibrato and his unique way of hitting the higher notes. But once you get used to his singing he sounds kickass. There are many memorable vocal-lines and cool harmonizations to be found here. His voice fits perfectly with this type of music. If you want to hear more of Ahola you can check out his other band Teräsbetoni as well; Manowar-style power metal sung in Finnish (don’t laugh!).

When all is said and done and you weigh the good and the bad you can’t help but to like this album. Almost everything that makes a good power metal album is here: good vocals, fast guitars and drumming, catchy and memorable choruses…the thing I missed most were the lightning-fast guitar/keyboard duels. It’s a cool album, not very original but since when did music have to be original to be enjoyable? Ahola’s great vocals raises this album a lot for me. You can’t help but to sing along to some of the catchy melodies here. Without him I wouldn’t have liked this album that much I’m afraid. Fans of power metal will probably enjoy “Difference” while power metal haters do best in avoiding this album.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]