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Album Review | Element of Fate – “Dreamfall”

by | Jul 31, 2026

General Information

Personnel:

Carol Phillips – vocals
Scott Loose – guitars, multi-instrumentals

Producer: John Mario
Release Date: July 27, 2026
Record Label: Bravemusic

Setting the Scene

2026 has been the year of debut albums. It is not only about their quantity, but also about the remarkable quality of these new bands. One of these exciting newcomers is Element of Fate, a symphonic metal duo that just released their debut album, Dreamfall.

First Impression

From the very beginning, Dreamfall impresses with its solid production and the way all the elements fit together. The album is influenced by a number of different metal styles, but it never sounds like a collection of disconnected influences. But every element feels like a natural part of the same sound, giving the album a dark, unique identity.

Similar Sounds

If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.

HuntressSeven SpiresAvatariumSmoulder

Visual Vibes

The cover of the album shows a woman walking through huge wooden doors, with golden light coming out of a huge eye behind her. The picture illustrates the album’s journey from darkness to light and fits the dark mood of Element of Fate‘s gothic heavy metal sound.

Track on Repeat

“Whispering Tree”

“Whispering Tree” avoids huge orchestration and focuses on a darker sound where the vocals have more space to shine. It feels raw and direct, creating a modern metal track that grabs your attention from the first listen.

In-depth Notes

Musical Shape 🎸

Dreamfall is built on heavy guitar work and a rhythm section that keeps the songs moving forward. The progressive elements add more variety to the music, as they mix powerful riffs with different textures without making the songs too complicated. The synths add another layer to the arrangements, adding more depth to the songs while keeping it real and heavy.

Vocal Performance 🎤

Even though Carol Phillips does not use the usual operatic approach often associated with symphonic metal, her vocals perfectly match the heavy music of the album, alternating between powerful clean melodies and darker, more aggressive vocals. Her performance gives the album a strong identity and adds a lot of character to the overall sound.

Themes and Concepts 💭

Dreamfall is about the journey from darkness to the light, and the problems that come with that journey. The lyrics mix personal struggles with darker fantasy elements that suit the mood of the music well. These themes are brilliantly presented in a dark cinematic envelope that ensures the message is delivered and enjoyed.

Final Verdict

A strong first release from Element of Fate, Dreamfall delivers a powerful introduction to the band’s sound.

Mood Meter

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Intensity

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Melancholy

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Darkness

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Emotional

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Serenity

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Energy

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Romance

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Joyfulness

Perfect For…

Night walksgreat background music for the creatures of the night
Sitting in Nature – great themes to sit with in nature
Thinking in bed Provides companionship after a long day
Working at office – especially when you want to silence your dumb co-worker

Reuel Way

Being a feminist has been normalized as an irregularity through our patriarchal society, so I'd rather be called a "decent human" than a "feminist man". I breathe Metal and Rock and have a screwed-up sense of humour.

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