Dreamcatcher Remains True to Their Horror Roots with “Piri”
Dreamcatcher is back with another horror-driven metal track! Fans of the group have come to expect this type of comeback concept from the group, with the intensely dark concepts something unique to them alone. Since rebranding from original group MINX, Dreamcatcher has been captivating fans and bystanders alike with their fiercely sullen concepts. “Piri” definitely follows this path and does not disappoint in that area.
Title: “Piri”
When Dreamcatcher announces a new release, you probably automatically know what you’re in for. If you’re like me and still holding onto your preteen heavy metal gothic soul, you’re genuinely excited for what the group will bring to the table, regardless of knowing what you’re getting into beforehand. Surprise and mystery in concept type is not something this group has going for them, but that’s part of their charm for fans like myself. In an industry dominated by bubblegum pop and intense hip-hop, it’s nice to have a group give an ode to the heavy metal side of music.
“Piri” has a level of intensity higher than the last release “What,” with a heavier focus on the horror aspects than the previous release. The song begins with a Silent Hill-esque siren, sending a shiver down the spine of the listener in warning. As the melody picks up, electric guitar riffs and heavy instrumentals pick up the rhythmic pace and drive the intensity of the song. The mix of heavy metal influences with traditional K-Pop melody works surprisingly well, creating a melting pot of musical sounds that is all around fabulous. Probably the least appealing portion of the song is the chorus that has the vocals repeating the title of the song over and over ad nauseam, making for a somewhat unpleasant auditory experience for that short timeframe. This phrase is likely used in an attempt to get the song stuck in your head, which does work, albeit a little bit unfortunately.
The video is an additional lovely work of art, highlighting the aspects of beauty within horror. The deep red and black outfits each of the girls wear in one of the choreography shots is absolutely breathtaking, with each design unique and complex. The differing designs mold together beautifully as the girls perform. The horror portions of the theme really shine through in the video, where each of the members wanders in a large white dress and encounters different horrific scenarios, including sentient dolls, evil doubles, and silent kidnappers. Though a lot of light is used in this video in contrast to early horror work like “Chase Me,” the sentiment of darkness shines throughout the video.
I always expect a stellar performance in videography from Dreamcatcher. “Piri” is no exception to this rule.
The Album
The End of Nightmare features six new tracks on its discography. As with other Dreamcatcher releases, the album begins with an appropriate intro to fit the title track, which follows as the second song. In this case, the intro has a melody mirroring the title, with an unexpected EDM breakdown halfway through.
The first B-side experienced on the album is “Diamond,” a track that has more influences in the reggae realm than its title counterpart. We often see different musical influences on Dreamcatcher’s B-sides, so this is no surprise. “Diamond” takes on the hard rock influences at the chorus, making for an intriguing genre mix in one song. The album then transitions to “그리고 아무도 없었다,” a softer, acoustic-driven track that contrasts the first three songs quite obviously. The chorus has an odd distorted melody that may throw you for a loop upon first listen. Concluding The End of Nightmare we have “Daydream,” a soft but medium tempo ballad that is a direct contrast of the title. When listening to the album chronically, you will notice the pace slow down from frantic horror to soft and peaceful, building a lovely story through the use of music.
This album may be Dreamcatcher’s strongest release to date. While I always anticipate the title tracks of this group, I’ve not been as fond of the albums overall for the most part. The End of Nightmare has exceeded my expectations both in terms of the title track and the remaining B-sides on the album. There’s no doubt here that Dreamcatcher is a talented group and has mastered their niche concept in the time that they have been around.