Dream Weaver

Over the course of a 30+ year career, DREAM WEAVER has evolved into one the mainstays of Greek Heavy/Power Metal, much by grace of their instantly recognizable sound and well-written song material. The band was founded in Piraeus in the summer of 1990, originally under the name INFECTION. Back then, the group consisted of Dimitris “Jimmy” Marcou (vocals, guitars), Georgios “George” Zacharoglou (guitars), Savvas (drums) and semi-official bassist Yiannis “John” Kranidiotis. While their original name suggest Death Metal, INFECTION‘s sole release “Demo ‘91” (1991) – recorded live at Studio On Line – presents classic Power Metal and could be regarded as a prototype for future DREAM WEAVER releases.

Around 1992, not fully satisfied with their current moniker (and surely realizing the potential affiliation with Death Metal), the core duo of vocalist Jimmy Marcou and guitarist George Zacharoglou decided to rechristen INFECTION. Surely, DREAM WEAVER (influenced by the English Metal wordsmith per excellence, Martin Walkyier) was a more fitting name for the group. The name-change roughly coincided with the presentation of a new lineup, including in addition of Jimmy Marcou (from now on solely focusing on his position as vocalist) and George Zacharoglou newcomers Michalis “Michael” Kypreos (bass) and Yiannis “John” Basimakopoulos (drums).

In October 1993, DREAM WEAVER entered Studio Voices (Athens) to record their debut release entitled ”Promo ’93/94”. The tape was indeed recorded in 1993, but since the band wasn’t satisfied with the initial production a new mix was provided in early 1994 with a supposedly superior sound (hence the title referring to 1993-94). The band couldn’t have gotten a better start with this two-track promo. Despite being the work of a young band with a limited budget, both tracks bear the mark of a quality Power Metal act. The high-energy riffing, characteristic vocals and general vibe recalls the glory days of US Metal, although with an unmistakable Hellenic touch (hard to describe in words, but it’s there alright). Especially the opening full-on assault “Deliverance” brings to mind the mighty BROCAS HELM – which is quite a feat in itself. None of these tracks were ever re-recorded as far as we know, but there is actually a second two-tack rehearsal cassette (dated to 1994) floating around in the tape-trading community which contains an early rendition of “Voice to Run the Miles” (later re-recorded for 2002’s “Soul Searching” EP).

After receiving great response from the national underground with their debut tape, DREAM WEAVER upped the ante even further with the arrival of their second tape “Dream Within a Dream” (1995). Nowadays considered one of the classic demos of Greek Heavy/Power Metal, “Dream Within a Dream” treaded similar paths as its predecessor, although with superior instrumental performance and production values. Perennial favorites such as “Bright Fading Past” (later re-recorded for the band’s debut album) and of course the eponymous “Dream Weaver (The Dreams Is My Reality)” made sure that the demo would be hailed all over the Greek underground (and beyond).

Obligatory military service, etc. forced then forced the band into a lengthy break. But unlike many of their compatriot bands, DREAM WEAVER somehow managed to not implode during this crucial period. The only apparent change was the replacement of Michael Kypreos with long-standing member Takis Foitos (bass – ARPYIAN HORDE, SOVEREIGN, etc.). Alas, about five-six years after “Dream Within a Dream”, DREAM WEAVER reappeared in 2001 with the release of the “Fantasy Revealed” EP on the longstanding Aegina-based Secret Port Records (although initially distributed as a CDr promo by the band members themselves in 2000). Once again, we are treated with five compositions of high-quality Heavy/Power, only this time the speedy onslaught is occasionally relieved with some calmer moments as well.

Next in line was another EP release, this time released as a two-track 7” on Eat Metal Records (the first release of this classic label, in fact). While the B-side contains a re-recording of the previously mentioned rehearsal track “Voice to Run the Miles”, the A-side (“Soul Searching”) sees the band explore new, semi-progressive terrain. The latter track would also turn up on the band’s debut full-length album, released the following year on Secret Port, bearing the title “Words Carved Within” (2003). Except for the re-recording of “Soulsearching” and “Bright Fading Past”, “Words…” contained nine newly written compositions that kept broadening the band’s repertoire that begun on “Soulsearching”. The album received mixed response back in the day, with main complaints being related to the production values.

After having participated in “Mortal Affair” – a project conducted by Greek Metal musicians to counter the rise in druge abuse – a lengthy break followed. It would take another nine years for the band to finish their second album, which is also their final release to date. Quite naturally given the time lapsed, core vocal/guitar duo Jimmy Marcou and George Zacharoglou recruited a new set of members for the recording of “Mythreal” (2012). For the first time in the band’s career the lineup had been expanded to include a second guitarist, Kostas Fitos (guitars – DIVINER), along with Jim Fytopoulos (bass) and Nick Anastaiadis (drums – LOST FATE, MINDLAND). Stylewise, “Mythreal” presents not only a new lineup, but also a modification of the band’s sound. The album is of course still recognizable as a DREAM WEAVER product, but the music – particularly the guitars – is draped in a more modern cloak, while the songwriting tends towards a more mainstream-oriented approach.

Although another nine years have passed since the release of “Mythreal”, it appears as if DREAM WEAVER are not content in giving up their career yet. The last news published on the band’s official Facebook page alluded to rehearsals taking place in their local vicinities (Piraeus), and also revealed that the band is currently searching for additional musicians. We eagerly await their next move…

Compilation appearances:
* Power Feast Vol. III [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released (Mass Dementia Zine), 1994]
* The Sorceress [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Heavy – Rock Tapes, 1994]
* Fire and Steel 1 [Cass, Comp: Self-released (Warrior’s Lament Zine), 1996]
* Killers Vol. 3 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Heavy – Rock Tapes, 1996]
* Warzone XX [CD, Comp: Metal Invader, 1998]
* Mortal Affair – Stream of Nothing [CD, Comp, Digipak:
ΔΙΚΤΥΟ Π.Μ., 2003]
* Hellenic Forces Compilation Vol. 1 [CDr, Comp: Self-released (Hellenic Forces Fanzine), 2004]
* Beast over Greece (A Tribute to Iron Maiden) [CD, Comp: Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal, 2012]
* Hellenic Forces Compilation Vol. 4 [CD, Comp: Self-released (Hellenic Forces Fanzine), 2013]
* Cold Steel Vol. 2 [Cass, Comp: Underground Tapes, ?]
* Μεταλλικά Όργια #3 – Stone Free… [Cass, Comp: Self-released, ?]