METALWAR: “Artificial Imprisonment” has already received excellent reviews. What was the main vision behind this album and how does it differ creatively from “Disciples of War”?
DREAMLORD: The main vision was to take a step forward, both compositionally and atmospherically. Artificial Imprisonment is darker and more multi-layered, with greater emphasis on dynamics, transitions, and storytelling within the songs. Disciples of War was more direct and raw, with clear thrash aggression. We kept that foundation, but approached the songwriting in a more mature and focused way, avoiding unnecessary excess.
METALWAR: The title and atmosphere of the album point to dark and timely themes. How personal or social are the lyrics of the new material?
DREAMLORD: The lyrics move somewhere between the personal and the social. They deal with modern forms of imprisonment—psychological, social, digital—that we all experience to some extent. It’s not a political manifesto, but it definitely reflects our times and how they affect the individual, especially in terms of alienation and living our lives through screens.
METALWAR: How does the world of “Artificial Imprisonment” translate to the stage? What can the audience expect live in terms of sound and setlist?
DREAMLORD: Live, it’s even more aggressive. The sound is heavier and tighter, and the setlist relies heavily on the new material, without of course leaving out songs from Disciples of War. We want the audience to leave feeling fulfilled, not just satisfied.
METALWAR: After the pandemic break and your return to the stage in 2023, do you feel that Dreamlord are now more united and mature than ever?
DREAMLORD: Yes, absolutely. The break made us appreciate playing together and functioning as a band even more. There’s greater trust, better communication, and more confidence in what we want to do. It was a very traumatic period for everyone, but on a personal level, it showed us how important this band is in our lives.
METALWAR: Your past performance with Annihilator is considered a milestone. How does that experience compare to presenting a new album as headliners now?
DREAMLORD: Playing with Annihilator is a huge honor and a life experience. Sharing the stage with a giant of our genre and seeing firsthand how bands at that level operate is incredible. On the other hand, presenting a new album as headliners carries a different weight and responsibility. There, you represent only yourself and your vision—and that’s equally powerful.
METALWAR: The March live show also features Memorain and Toxic Terror. How did this lineup come together and what does it mean to you to share the stage with such strong names from the Greek thrash scene?
DREAMLORD: It came together very naturally. Both bands represent different aspects of the thrash sound we love. We’ve shared years of mutual respect, and it’s truly an honor to share the stage with them. We believe the audience will experience a complete thrash package.
METALWAR: Memorain carry a huge legacy and Toxic Terror bring the raw energy of old school thrash. Do you think this trio represents different generations of Greek metal?
DREAMLORD: Not so much in terms of age, but rather different paths within the same scene. Memorain bring experience and consistency, Toxic Terror bring raw old school energy, and we aim to combine those elements with our own approach. The common ground is our love for thrash and our honesty toward what we do. I’m really looking forward to this show—it’s going to be an excellent night.
METALWAR: Which track from “Artificial Imprisonment” are you most looking forward to playing live at the Piraeus Club Academy and why?
DREAMLORD: “This War of Mine.” It has incredible energy, connects strongly with the audience, and becomes even more intense live. But of course, we’re excited for the entire show, as it will be the first time we perform the whole new album back to back. It will be fantastic to see how the new songs stand where it truly matters—before the listener.
METALWAR: How do you see today’s Greek metal scene? Is there more support from the audience compared to previous years?
DREAMLORD: The scene has quality and many great bands. There is more support, but there’s always room for even greater participation and unity. When the audience supports the scene, things move forward.
METALWAR: What message would you like to send to the fans who will be at the Piraeus Club Academy on March 14, and to those still thinking about coming?
DREAMLORD: Come ready for war. We’ll give 100%, we’ll play loud and honest. If you love thrash metal, you shouldn’t miss it.
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