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REVIEW: STEEL ARCTUS’ Dreamruler – “Third Album From These Greek Power Metallers”

https://bravewords.com/album-reviews/review-steel-arctus-dreamruler-third-album-from-these-greek-power-metallers/

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Steel Arctus – Dreamruler Review

By Andy-War-Hall

Brothers, you need power metal in your life. No, you do. You need authentic positivity shot straight into your cynic-rotten hearts, now. Most fortunate for you, Greek power metallers Steel Arctus have graced this year of 2025 with their third album Dreamruler, marking the third entry into the chronicles of their titular hero Steel Arctus. 2020’s Fire and Blood detailed the origins of Steel Arctus and his girlfriend Red Sonja the Arcadian Lady, 2022’s Master of War saw him delve into the fires of Hades and now Dreamruler sees him challenge the titular Dreamruler in his evil world of dreams to rescue his bodacious muse. Though the first two albums were good, Steel Arctus only grazed greatness a few times in their young career. Is Dreamruler the one that’ll bring them there? Hold your hammers high.

Steel Arctus are sworn to the flame of metal glory, and Dreamruler carries that fire by way of anthemic power metal. Dreamruler is imbued with the fantasy-minded songwriting of Dio, the epic vocal acrobatics of Lost Horizon and the fist-balling machismo of Judas Priest and Visigoth. “Riding through the Night” sees Steel Arctus fuse Judas Priest grit and Nocturnal Rites hookiness, “Fate of the Beast” marries Stratovarius neoclassical-isms with Paladin riffing and “Will to Power” embodies so much Manowar that I’m surprised Manowar never wrote it. Steel Arctus harness these influences into lean, catchy tunes that—while never feeling totally original, obviously—feel deeply energized and alive. Just hearing the Lost Horizon bloopy synths and grandeur of “Defender of Steel,” the Iced Earth thrash-power of “Cry for Revenge,” and the Savatage class and nastiness of “Dreamruler” evoked that sense of first getting into metal again. Listening to Dreamruler is listening to everything Steel Arctus love distilled into forty-seven minutes of heavy metal bliss.

This mimicry of established styles wouldn’t work so well if Steel Arctus weren’t incredible musicians. Thankfully, guitarist Nash G. churns out quality riffs like it’s nothing, bringing beefy grooves to “Will to Power” and nimble plucking on “Fires of Death”. While extremely technical and wah-heavy (“Fires of Death”), G.’s solos avoid hollowness through a melody-first approach; just hear those twins on “Dreamruler” or how “Wicked Lies” plays with the riff beneath it. Drummer Minas Chatziminas crushes his kicks (“Defender of Steel”) while fitting in cool tom and cymbal work (“Riding through the Night”) and just enough kick variation for some rhythmic interest (“Dreamruler”), while bassist Strutter (Wardrum) lays down thick-toned bass runs throughout Dreamruler and even leads on “Wicked Lies.” But vocalist Tasos Lazaris (Fortress Under Siege, White Wizzard) is the leader of this quest called Dreamruler, as his incredible range (“Legend of the Warrior”,) power (“Cry for Revenge”) and charisma (“Glory of the Hero”) sharpen the hooks of Dreamruler and give Steel Arctus a commanding presence. Put together, and Dreamruler’s an outstandingly fun romp worthy of Steel Arctus’ many influences.

The only blemish on Dreamruler is that the ending isn’t a smash success. The penultimate “Legend of the Warrior” opens in dramatic fashion, replete with swirling synths, plucked clean guitar and spoken narration à la Lost Horizon that really sounds like Steel Arctus are building towards a true epic conclusion akin to “Highlander (The One).” Instead, it and the closing instrumental “Onar (όναρ),”1 move through mid-paced crawls that leave Dreamruler with a minor case of anticlimax. They’re not bad songs— “Legend of the Warrior” features Lazaris’ most dynamic performance and “Onar (όναρ)” sounds genuinely restorative in its pleasantness—but with how much pathos Steel Arctus weave into their music I think Dreamruler would’ve benefited from a bigger, grander finale. Steel Arctus can tell a story: I have no idea what happens in Dreamruler narrative-wise, but when Lazaris commands “Hammer Highyaaa!” on “Defender of Steel,” who needs a plot? I’m right there anyway.

Steel Arctus have leveled up tremendously on Dreamruler, and anyone with even a smidgen of appreciation for power metal should give this a spin. They don’t do anything new or novel whatsoever on Dreamruler, and, yeah, these are the most generic power metal song titles imaginable, but Steel Arctus hammered their way into greatness by sheer force of will anyway—along with amazing performances and adept songcraft, of course. Everything about Dreamruler is wholehearted, from Steel Arctus’ celebration of heavy metal’s past to their overwhelming showmanship. This is music of gigantic melancholy and gigantic mirth and easily one of, if not the year’s best power metal albums.

Rating: Great
DR: 72 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: No Remorse Records
Websites: steelarctus.com | steelarctus.bandcamp | facebook.com/steelarctus
Releases Worldwide: November 28th, 2025

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Review: Steel Arctus “Dreamruler”

Pablo Rumel

Release date: 28.11.2025

Steel Arctus is a Greek heavy metal band that merges the spirit of epic storytelling with the intensity of power and traditional heavy metal. Formed in 2020 by guitarist Thanasis “Nash” Gousis, the group draws inspiration from legends such as Manowar, Judas Priest, and Dio, combining mythological themes, heroic imagery, and sharp musicianship into a cohesive and cinematic sound.

REVIEW

If a song is titled Cry for Revenge, it cannot start with a gentle play of strings: Steel Arctus strikes with full force from the very first second, with riffs reminiscent of early Hammerfall—choppy, detailed at the end of each turn, and crowned by a short, sharp solo. Tasos Lazaris’s voice is exquisite, skillfully navigating between rough mid and high tones, especially in those hoarse phrases that recall Chris Boltendahl from Grave Digger, yet his versatility allows him to reach many different textures, making his performance a total asset to the record. Pay attention to the choral counterpoint in the final seconds, and you’ll understand why his inclusion is perfect.

Already showcasing their power, Steel Arctus now launches Defender of Steel with an epic-sounding synthesized intro, soon interrupted by pounding rhythms and well-blended 80s-style keyboards. The tempos are moderate, the choruses inspired, and while the theme repeats familiar imagery from heavy metal—high-pitched screams and swift transitions, it still radiates a metallic vibe and grandeur rarely heard in bands these days, ending with an inspired solo.

If the first song carried a European inspiration and the second an American one, the third defines their sound in a way that recalls the old Italian power metal greats, yet with its own identity. Under Minas Chatziminas’s command, the drums do not bulldoze everything with double bass, but instead rely on a controlled, versatile technique that enhances the rhythmic strength of Fate of the Beast, with choruses, counterpoints, and guitar riffs built through tremolo and palm-mute. Dreamruler returns to a calmer pace without losing its power and intensity, with greater progression and personality, standing as one of the record’s high points.

The fifth song, Wicked Lies, feels like the end of the first act. It’s calmer, with bass lines taking the lead and keyboard sounds that don’t quite convince, though its dramatic structure, full of crescendos between verses and lively sections, makes up for it, supported by solid solo work. The lead guitar throughout the album sounds fresh and technically competent, though never excessive, opting to blend into the arrangements rather than steal the spotlight.

Indeed, Fires of Death marks a reset in the record. It strays from traditional heavy structures and dives into progressive metal territory, full of sectional breaks, syncopated rhythms, and more fills in the bass lines. Mr. Lazaris’s vocal range sounds divine, with sustained highs and a superb vibrato technique. Some phrases feel forced, but that’s understandable since the track leans toward a theatrical, operatic tone.

Riding Through the Night showcases the band’s full potential: calm and fast sections, inspired choruses, daring brief phrasing intertwined with spiraling riffs, and sharper, faster solos. It encapsulates the entire album in one song and could easily serve as an entry point for new listeners.

Glory of the Hero isn’t the best opener. The bar remains high, with strong rhythmic interplay beneath the choruses and quick, effective guitar solos, though the neoprog-style keyboards at the beginning might puzzle listeners unfamiliar with the genre. For that reason, it works better as a dessert, wrapping up the feast these Greek bangers have prepared for us.

Will to Power may sound generic overall—from its title to the martial drumming and the heavy, groove-laden sections full of repetitive chords—but the vocal phrasing saves it from sinking. In a different mood comes Legend of the Warrior, the album’s longest track, divided into several arcs. It begins with clean, melancholic guitars, followed by emotional power chord sections, then returns to the clean parts. Synths accompany the slower moments with an 80s vibe, almost like a horror film. Though it may sound like a stretch, some riffs are reminiscent of the heavier parts of Radiohead’s Paranoid Android (4:03–4:29), yet rather than a quirk, it reminds us that the waters of metal are not closed and can indeed dialogue with other styles.

Onar—Greek for “dream”—is the end of the journey. Over a dreamy backdrop, we hear a wind instrument and slow acoustic arpeggios. It’s a two-minute piece, almost an epilogue, since the farewell begins in the previous track. It might have been merged with Legend, but as an artistic gesture, it works and does not feel out of place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI4cvo8Ijwg

Conclusion

Steel Arctus delivers with “Dreamruler” a solid work, balanced between nostalgia and the search for identity. There is no room for filler or empty virtuosity, every track serves a purpose in the album’s sonic narrative. What in other bands might sound like mere repetition of classic heavy/power formulas becomes here a reaffirmation of style, with progressive risks and outstanding vocal performance. The only weak points lie in some synthesized passages or slightly off-key arrangements, yet the energy and compositional craft more than make up for them.

TheNwothm Score: 8.5/10

It doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but it honors it with conviction, elegance, and a power rarely found in today’s European metal.

Links

Bandcamp:https://steelarctus.bandcamp.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/steelarctus

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/steel_arctus/

Label: No Remorse Records

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