DREAMLORD

“We are making sure every riff, melody, or arrangement feels like us, no matter how far we push the music.”

“With ‘Artificial Imprisonment’, we were more methodical – building songs, shaping structures, refining melodies.”

“Isolation made us look inward, reflecting on control, freedom, and the psychological pressures of modern life.”

“’Artificial Imprisonment’ is about that feeling of being trapped, whether by circumstance, expectation, or invisible systems.”

“Dynamics were everything. We wanted moments of intensity to hit harder, and atmospheric passages to breathe.”

“Standing on stage with Annihilator reminded us that we belong on this level.”

“We write music for four people primarily – us. If more people like it, that’s awesome.”

“Experience has taught us that restraint can be more powerful than excess.”

“For us, metal is freedom. It’s raw, unfiltered, and authentic.”

Dreamlord’s return was never meant to be a nostalgic exercise.
What began as a revival quickly transformed into something sharper, darker, and more deliberate, shaped by new material and a renewed sense of purpose.
With ‘Artificial Imprisonment‘, the Greek metal act distills years of experience, isolation, and reflection into a focused statement about control, freedom, and modern psychological pressure.
In this interview with Fok ‘bs‘, Dreamlord reflect on leaving the past behind, refining their sound between classic heavy metal and thrash aggression, and how confinement – both personal and societal – became the conceptual backbone of their most disciplined release to date.
Dreamlord were formed as a revival of an earlier project.
At what point did the band stop feeling like a continuation of the past and start feeling like something entirely its own?
“In the first few months, we mostly played songs from the first phase of the band. But as we started composing new material, the older songs were gradually phased out completely. That’s when Dreamlord stopped feeling like a continuation of the past and started to feel like something entirely its own. Writing original material that reflected who we were in the present gave the band its own identity, energy, and voice – separate from anything that came before.”
From the beginning, your sound has been rooted in classic heavy metal while moving into darker, more contemporary territory.
How do you decide how far to push that balance without losing your core identity?
“On the first album, our style leaned more toward a heavy/thrash hybrid, combining classic metal elements with thrash aggression. On ‘Artificial Imprisonment’, we moved more decisively into pure thrash territory, while still keeping those heavy metal influences that define our sound. It’s always about instinct and honesty. Making sure every riff, melody, or arrangement feels like us, no matter how far we push the music.”
‘Artificial Imprisonment‘ feels more focused and conceptual than your debut.
What shifted in your mindset between Disciples of War and this new album?
“With ‘Artificial Imprisonment’, we approached songwriting more deliberately. On ‘Disciples of War’, a lot came from instinct and raw energy. Here, we were more methodical. Building songs, shaping structures, refining melodies. We wanted every track to contribute to a unified whole, both thematically and emotionally. It’s the same band, but a more disciplined, concentrated expression of who we are now.”
The pandemic forced many bands to slow down or stop.
For Dreamlord, how did that period of isolation change the way you approached songwriting and lyrical themes?
“The pandemic caused the big gap between albums, but it also gave us the time to realize the importance of the band in our lives, so we came back to it more focused and energized. Isolation made us look inward, reflecting on control, freedom, and the psychological pressures of modern life. Most of the songs on ‘Artificial Imprisonment’ were written during that period, which gave us the time to fine-tune everything and develop very strong preproduction. Songwriting became a way to process these experiences, and lyrically it pushed us to explore themes of confinement, personal and societal, channeling frustration, fear, and resilience into the music.”
Themes like control, dehumanization, and loss of freedom run through the new album.
Do you see ‘Artificial Imprisonment‘ as a reflection of specific events, or more as a psychological state of modern life?
“It’s both. Certain tracks were inspired by real-world events, but the album as a whole reflects a broader psychological reality. How society, technology, and structures of power can constrain individuals. ‘Artificial Imprisonment’ is about that feeling of being trapped, whether by circumstance, expectation, or invisible systems that shape our lives.”
Musically, the album balances aggression with atmosphere.
How important was dynamics in shaping the emotional impact of the record?
“Dynamics were everything. We wanted moments of intensity to hit harder, and atmospheric passages to breathe. The contrasts create tension and release, mirroring the themes of confinement and struggle. It’s about making the listener feel the weight and the release, not just hearing the music.”
Sharing the stage with Annihilator in 2019 was a key moment for the band.
How did that experience influence your confidence or ambitions going forward?
“That show was a validation. Standing on stage with a band of that stature reminded us that we belong on this level and gave us confidence to push further. It showed us the standards we aspire to, both in performance and in professionalism, and reinforced our ambition to grow without compromising who we are.”
The video for ‘No Room for the Dead‘ adds a strong visual layer to the album’s themes.
How involved were you in shaping its symbolism and cinematic tone?
“We were deeply involved. From storyboarding to visual motifs, we wanted the imagery to amplify the album’s concepts. Control, dehumanization, and despair. This song speaks directly about the pandemic, so we wanted to combine shots from the band’s live shows with imagery of the COVID era to remind ourselves and the world of the dark period we all experienced. Even today, as I watch footage from back then, I find it so unbelievable that that was our reality at the time. Every shot, every angle, was considered to make the video feel like an extension of the music, not just a companion piece.”
Greek metal has a strong identity but often exists outside the mainstream spotlight.
How do you view your role within the Greek metal underground today?
“We see ourselves as part of a bigger network, a community that thrives on dedication rather than trends. Greek metal has a rich identity, and we want to contribute to it, to push it forward without losing its essence. As far as we are concerned, we play the music we like to hear. We write music for four people primarily. Us. If more people like what we do, this is awesome and we love it.”
Live performance has always been central to Dreamlord.
How do the songs from ‘Artificial Imprisonment‘ change the energy or atmosphere of your live set?
“We love playing live. The new songs add depth and intensity and blend really well with our older material to create a varied setlist. They’re built to hit hard, but they also breathe, creating tension and release live. They change the dynamics of our set, making it more immersive. Heavy moments balanced with atmospheric passages.”
Compared to your earlier material, the new album feels more restrained and deliberate.
Has experience taught you when not to add more riffs or ideas?
“Absolutely. Experience has taught us that restraint can be more powerful than excess. You don’t need to fill every moment with noise; sometimes space and pacing create the impact. It’s about knowing when a riff, melody, or harmony truly serves the song and when it would just distract.”
In a world that often feels increasingly artificial and controlled, what does heavy metal still offer as a form of resistance or freedom for you personally?
“For us, metal is freedom. It’s a way to push back, to express anger, frustration, and individuality. It’s raw, unfiltered, and authentic – everything that counterbalances the artificiality and control we experience in life. It allows us to reclaim our voice and energy.”
When listeners reach the end of ‘Artificial Imprisonment‘, what do you hope stays with them long after the music stops?
“We hope they carry the feeling of reflection and intensity. That the album leaves them thinking about freedom, control, and personal responsibility. And that it lingers in their head and heart, reminding them that music can provoke, challenge, and move – even after the last note fades.”
‘Artificial Imprisonment‘ captures Dreamlord at a point where instinct meets discipline and aggression is sharpened by intent rather than excess.
By embracing restraint, atmosphere, and thematic clarity, the band has forged a record that reflects both personal growth and a wider unease with modern life.
Rather than offering easy answers, Dreamlord leave listeners with tension, reflection, and a lingering sense of confrontation – proof that heavy metal remains a powerful tool for expression, resistance, and emotional release when handled with honesty and purpose.
by Fok ‘bs‘