A Dream Of Poe is originally a Portuguese project but moved to Scotland. A few months ago, they released their second album, a very ambitious one too. The purpose was to recreate the magic of the classics by the previously mentioned bands. The fact the Solitude Productions picked them up, certainly proves that A Dream Of Poe succeeded in that goal. The five songs on 'Infinity Emerged' are massive pieces of gothic doom, truly reminiscent of that awesome nineties era.
From the very first note of opener 'Egregore', My Dying Bride and Anathema come to mind. The big problem with such a sound is the risk of sounding like a copycat, but the distinct clean vocals give this band their own edge and certainly their own piece of the gothic doom cake. The main difference between A Dream Of Poe and their predecessors is the mixing and sound of these vocals. Moved more to the foreground and with an intense melancholic feel, perhaps a tiny bit too poppy. The voice might take some getting used to but that never harms the overall quality.
In fact, by the end of 'Lethargus', I'm already singing 'show me something new', not because I heard all of this before but because it's one of the lyrics. Funny thing is, this is nothing new but they can definitely show me more of this. They do, in the massive song 'The Isle Of Cinder'. This is a black and purple steamroller of a song, taking on a bit of a theatrical approach, a bit cabarettesque perhaps but so damn immersive.
A Dream Of Poe certainly has potential, that's for sure. 'Infinity Emerged' is a great album, which deserves a place on any shelf where the earlier mentioned bands are present. However, I still think that they can do better. I've heard a lot of bands who try to recreate the magic of the classics and this one comes very, very close. Yet, I feel that this band can do even better, they have the ability not to recreate a classic but to create a completely new one. Keep an eye on these guys, they truly deserve your attention.
Serge