Single Review: Nibiru Ordeal – Dreams Ain’t Real for #METALMOMENTUM

Band: Nibiru Ordeal
Single: Dreams Ain’t Real
Label: Independent
Release date: July 10th 2025
Country: Finland
Format reviewed: High Quality digital recording

Single Review: Nibiru Ordeal – Dreams Ain’t Real; A Heartwarming, Intimate Journey Through Despair and Resistance for #METALMOMENTUM by Elyna

“After five years of silence, Nibiru Ordeal breaks through with “Dreams Ain’t Real”, a single that dives deeper into emotional and sonic complexity. This review explores its existential lyrics, refined keyboard-driven sound, and the unforgettable performance of Andi Kravljaca.” by Elyna

Welcome to a new edition of Metal Momentum, the sacred space for reviewing the best singles released in the realms of metal. This time, we bring you excellent news from Finland.

The beloved maestros Nibiru Ordeal are back. Five years after the release of their wonderful debut album, “Solar Eclipse”—in my opinion, one of the best power metal albums of all time—the band is preparing to release their second album, “When The Worlds Collide,” the first single of which is “Dreams Ain’t Real,” which was released independently on July 10th.

The mighty band is led by the talented keyboardist Pekka Laitinen, along with Mirko Byman (Inthraced) on guitars, Vili Härkönen (Brainthrash, Fatehater) on drums, Anssi Kinnunen (Stormbreaker, Asylum 8, Define, Kruor, Suicide Symbiosis) on bass, and the incredible Andi Kravjlaca (Bioplan, Thaurorod, Nergard, Seventh Wonder, Aeon Zen, Silent Call) on vocals, giving life to one of the best bands in the genre today, not only in Finland but worldwide.

With this background in mind, we dive right into what brings us together today: “Dreams Ain’t Real.” As a side note —and as a die-hard Andi Kravljaca fan— I’ve been waiting for the first singles from “When The Worlds Collide” for over a year, since this second album was announced. And truthfully, the wait was totally worth it, because this first single is almost a religious experience and marks a surprising shift from the band’s classic sound.

“Dreams Ain’t Real” brings a bleak vision of existence in today’s world. It conveys a sense of disconnection and disenchantment with reality, symbolized by the passive observer watching their life slip away as they stare out the window. The lyrics also pose an existential struggle based on the pain of broken dreams, the decisions made in the past, and also a critique of all oppressive and limiting structures. However, despite this apparent grim message, a courageous cry emerges, inviting us to let go of the illusion of control, to challenge imposed norms, and to not let outside projections, bad vibes, and others’ opinions cause us to doubt or destroy us. The world can be mean, yes. But it can also be a space for liberation from others’ expectations, and the sometimes toxic positive “everything happens for a reason” narrative. Perhaps we don’t need a special reason to live but the life experience itself. That ‘s to say; Memento Mori – Memento Vivace!

Regarding music, “Dreams Ain’t Real” pleasantly surprised me for several reasons. For starters, there’s a substantial improvement in sound quality compared to “Solar Eclipse,” achieving a version very close to the current European melodic metal sound—one that shines with its depth, elegant density, and balance.

On the other hand, the single is framed within melodic power-progressive, with a sound reminiscent of the mid-tempo songs of Dream Theater. It features a charmingly dynamic rhythm that transitions between charming slow sections and invigorating mid-andante sections. Structured in a 4/4 time signature, “Dreams Ain’t Real” is a keyboard-driven song, building a velvety and ethereal atmosphere, completely consistent with the message of the lyrics. It is marked by magical orchestrations, full of nuances and textures, which is a central and very characteristic feature of the “Nibiru Ordeal” sound, courtesy of the illustrious maestro Pekka.

The restrained and precise guitars don’t require a great technical display or excessive embellishment to enchant, but rather manage to balance the whole impeccably, with neat and elegant riffs that mark the rhythm. The feeling I was left with was that of a pleasant and cathartic walk along the beach, catching the sun’s rays on my face and a soft, warm breeze that washes away the despair—a memento vivace in full swing.

Next, the rhythmic base presents a progressive crescendo, more emotional than technical, but jaw-dropping. The bass brings a discreet yet enveloping performance, like a firm tapestry that supports and integrates the other instruments, providing solidity and stability. Meanwhile, the drums are a spectacle in themselves, with intense and elegant rolls, subtle counterpoints and syncopations, and charming off-beats that add an exquisite and dynamic texture to the whole, enriching the listening experience.

Finally, the vocal display of the endearing Andi never disappoints—ever. It’s impossible. Andi Kravljaca’s voice is simply breathtaking. His timbre is timeless and very “human”, combining the strength of the masculine, the sweetness and softness of the feminine, and that candid, pure, and innocent quality that you rarely find in a single voice—not without artifice. In “Dreams Ain’t Real,” Andi not only impresses, but moves. The incredible nuances he achieves—between beautiful whispered vocal lines, intense high notes, and powerful mid-tones—compose a heartfelt and authentic narrative of disenchantment that, paradoxically, gives hope in a cosmic embrace of the spirit, in a performance that shelters the weary soul and reveals the beauty of resilience.

Thus, Nibiru Ordeal have returned with a vengeance after five years of silence, presenting a wonderful first preview of their new work, “When The Worlds Collide”, the powerful single “Dreams Ain’t Real”, marking a significant sonic evolution compared to their acclaimed debut, as well as hinting at the genius of the album to come. From existential lyrics that confront hopelessness with a cry for freedom and authenticity, “Dreams Ain’t Real” emerges as a critical, yet hopeful, reflection on the meaning of life in a strange and sometimes cruel world. Musically, the single stands out for a notable improvement in sound quality and a time signature framed in melodic power progressive, characterized by its depth, diversity, and balance. The song, with its elegant keyboard-driven structure, unfolds an ethereal and emotional atmosphere, where each instrument plays a precise and expressive role: from the restrained guitars to the powerful rhythmic base, everything translates into a spellbinding sound experience. Also worth highlighting is Andi Kravljaca’s vocal performance, which crowns the piece with a powerful and moving delivery that perfectly encapsulates the essence of the message: the beauty and courage of resilience in the face of disenchantment. 10/10

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9/10 Epic Storm
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