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Dreamland - Behind the Shades is the third album from this Swiss symphonic metal band going by the name Deep Sun. They follow a well-defined blueprint of operatic vocals, big keyboard melodies and neoclassical guitars, but their songwriting and performances are definitely a cut above the crowd. I don't usually start by praising a ballad, but "In Silence" does a wonderful job of conveying mournfulness without becoming maudlin and it is a beautiful song, to boot. There are some nice up-tempo numbers like "Dreammaster" and some that prefer to start slow and gradually build into the chorus like "Secret Garden," so there is a nice variety to the album. The singer's operatic flourishes mesh well and her sense of when to lean into a line rather let loose with a piercing high note is spot on. Musically, I'd say Dreamland leans more in the symphonic/cinematic direction rather than power metal but it's a subtle take and ultimately very catchy. Fans of Nightwish, Xandria, Amberian Dawn and the likes should eat this up.