Reviews

Multi-instrumentalist Hugo Flores first came to attention with his debut solo album in 2000, after which he formed Sonic Pulsar with whom he released two albums. From this he formed Project Creation (two more albums) and then in 2008 he felt inspired by vocalist Jessica Lehto to create new music outside of the style he’d been working in previously, and formed Factory Of Dreams. Jessica started off by listening to metal oriented bands such as The Gathering, Within Temptation, Nightwish and Blind Guardian and from the age of 17 started writing her own material, obviously influenced by her earlier interests. For this the debut, Hugo provided electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, synthesizers, additional drum arrangements and loops, percussion, sitar, 12 string guitar emulation; Chris Brown provided fretless bass while Jessica sings – like an angel. I have found it really interesting to see this reviewed on the web, obviously in some cases by people who have never listened to black metal (!!) yet feel that this is atypical. What we have here is a wonderful symphonic melodic rock band very much in the style of Within Temptation, with perhaps a tad Lacuna Coil. Jessica is a stunning singer, very clear diction and great control, while Hugo is a consummate musician and songwriter so overall it is a great combination. If you enjoy this style of music then this is definitely worth searching out.
wwwtherecordlabel.net

Dutch review
www.progwereld.org/cms/?page_id=20009641

...Listening to the first notes of this release it seems I wasn't that wrong about my considerations... This seems to be a very atmospheric album too, indeed in the same style as the Ambeon release. Jessica Lehto is the front woman and although I have never heard of this girl her performance are impressive! The music is very touchy, full of character and will easily bring you into another dimension; one of the future or a very dark dream! The soft innocent voice of Jessica Lehto delivers you cold shivers, those of the pleasant kind. The high notes she touches, the warm sound of her voice and the emotional way her vocal lines are present on this CD, will electrify you too! Nowadays there are a lot of female 'Gothic' voices in the Metal scene but I have to admit only of few of these women are able, vocal-wise, to convince me. There's no one like Tarja Turunen, she's the only Goddess, but at some points Jessica Lehto sounds similar... Jessica Lehto sounds tempting and the strength of her voice will never again let you go!..
mtibelgium.00freehost.com/FactoryofdreamsCDreviewPoles.html

French review
www.metalchroniques.fr/guppy/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=2175

Italian interview
www.rawandwild.com/interviews/2008/int_factoryofdreams.php

...A bit of progressive music, a bit of gothic. At times i hear Anneke van Giersbergen in the vocals. It isn't easy stuff that's being served. As usual with Hugo you have a clear production, a really wonderful cover and of course great tracks. Just listen to the guitar solo in "Electric boom" and you know what i mean. "Gliding above the ocean of memories" is my favourite track. What are you waiting for? Go get this album now!
progressivemusiccharliff.blogspot.com/2008/10/factory-of-dreams-poles.html

...Poles is, in addition, a somber outing and is complex, and almost gothic and eerily harmonious. Especially evident on "Crossing the Bridge to the Positive Pole," for here is a multi layered, explosive track, that heaps layers and layers of piano, guitar solos, soaring vocals that are everywhere, drums, epic bass and as this track picks up steam, is colossal in its deliverance. So much so, that one almost feels freedom at its conclusion as this track sucks this listener into its musical core, and then swirls around until one is just smack in the center of what is truly the highlight of the CD. The fat, muscular hard hitting drums of the closing track, "Generator of Illusions," is a synthesizer's and orchestral lover's wet dream as this track takes the participant of this offering in one tangent after another, as just as one gets used to one feeling, a choir filled vocal arrangement here, a soft keyboard or guitar pluck there, and pounding drums somewhere else lead the listener into a musical journey that only gets better as the track progresses...
www.hardrockhaven.net/reviews2008/oct08/Factory%20of%20Dreams%20-%20Poles.php

...Maybe some of you will remember the reviews we did about the two Project Creation albums last year and now the Project Creation's mastermind Hugo Flores is back with his new project called Factory of Dreams. why he started to do a new project I don't know cause their aren't that much differences between Project Creation and Factory of Dreams. So this could be easily released under the name Project Creation. For those who loved the Dawn of Pyther (2007) album this is a release you can buy with your eyes shut. But for those who doesn't know the work from Hugo Flores/ Factory of Dreams is a mix between Proggressive Rock and Gothic with excellent vocals from Jessica Lehto...
www.metallinks.nl/01-reviews/Factory%20of%20Dreams.html

German review
mstos.de/index.php?sec=reviews&sub=disc&op=show&id=913

German review
www.metalglory.de/reviews_neu.php?nr=17441

Italian review
www.unprogged.com/showthread.php?t=3656

...Looking back at not just Poles, but also his previous releases, I have to say Hugo Flores is a very underrated musician, who deserves a lot more attention. He is an excellent musician, as well as a very versatile one. And he is a great songwriter who has shown he is not tied into one genre, but can write all kinds of music. Do not think that if you heard one album by Flores, you heard them all. Far from it! So listen to Poles with an open mind and let yourself be surprised by its simplicity and charm. You will enjoy it.
www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=3622

Portugeuse interview
vianocturna2000.blogspot.com/2008/11/entrevista-com-factory-of-dreams.html

French review
metalight.free.fr/pages/index2.php?page=groupes&id=page_FACTORY_OF_DREAMS

Interview
www.goldcy.com/factory%20of%20dreams.html

...The production is exceptional. Individual titles often focus on individual skill sets. On Electric Boom the guitar is front and center. It is Flores’ principle instrument and is used to good effect over a fretless base with only limited vocal components. Other titles make more use of the flawless vocals of Lehto. The Piano in the Sea is one of these. It’s a soft ballad, with piano and electronica floating above the soothing vocals of the Swedish songstress. Factory of Dreams, and Hugo Flores in general, may be a new name to many on this site. However, this is a serious talent, one that has already made a mark throughout parts of the world. It’s great music, an interesting lyrical story and a first rate production. And, it’s a good way to enter the world of Hugo Flores, a world of great music and rich thought. Just don’t plan to see it live.
www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=359&Itemid=1

Factory of Dreams should find a wide audience as it slots neatly into the genre originally created by The Gathering, and since enriched by luminaries such as Within Temptation, Nightwish, Edenbridge, Lacuna Coil, After Forever, and Epica - et al. It is goth metal, though the 'metal' label is used lightly, fronted by the rich soprano of Sweden's Jessica Lehto. But unlike its genre-mates, Factory Of Dreams isn't a band - it's a 2-person project, an Internet collaboration, with vocals and many arrangements provided by Jessica, while multi-instrumentalist Hugo Flores provides the rest. ..
usaprogmusic.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=28&review=213-Factory-of-Dreams-Poles

Interview with Hugo and Jessica
usaprogmusic.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=286&Itemid=45

Danish review
www.revolution-music.dk/anm.php?alid=2317

Interview
www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=362&Itemid=36

Now I can't claim to be familiar with the work of Sonic Pulsar, from whence Portugal's Hugo Flores sprang, but with the quality control that's been in evidence at ProgRock records of late, I chucked this in the CD player with alacrity. And it's another goodie. Apparently, Factory Of Dreams is meant to be a more song-based alternative to his Project Creation, um, project, and it's certainly a feast of melody. It broadly fits into the broad church of female fronted gothic metal, fronted, as it is, by the Swedish soprano Jessica Lehto. However, it's definitely on the melodic side of metal, so don't come here looking for riffs. There is a thread to the music, although Flores is fighting shy of calling it a concept, whereby a distant planet comprises two lands called Poles, separated by a river, and by "positiveness and negativeness". So a good old fashioned story of good and evil. Excellent. As a two person project, it also gives Flores the chance to show off his multi-instrumental prowess, although it's his guitar work that remains most impressive. Check out album highlights 'Electric Boom' and 'Air Powerplant' for some prime examples. There are also moments of great delicacy which showcase the fine voice of Lehto, as well as nods to symphonic and progressive metal, especially on the keyboard dominated tracks. The folks who follow Tarja and Liv Kristine will find a great deal to enjoy here, and as one of them, I can heartily recommend this offering.
www.the-rocker.co.uk

...In all actuality, Factory of Dreams is the brainchild of Hugo Flores who’s from Portugal, and the vocalist is Jessica Lehto who has been a musical wunderkind since the age of seven. As a matter of fact, she happens to be Swedish so they had to swing the globe on its meridian just to make this album happen. Starting with the chronology and continent of Daniel Gildenlow then changing genders, you might find some common ground – as it’s rare to start so young then export your musical talents across the pond. Then again, Swedes take their liberal arts seriously and have been known to frequently travel too. Ultimately, the singing of this soprano is more like a recital than a rock album, and instrumentally in the vicinity of Man on Fire. The album is playful and portentous; oftentimes it’s even outright pretentious. Nevertheless, when performing quality assurance on the dowels spat from their mill, the end result is pretty much fit for purpose.
www.ytsejam.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1490

Interview with members
hannatsepesh.blogspot.com

Interview with Hugo
www.ravenheartmusic.euro-site.co.uk/page.asp?pageid=112

Italian review
www.rawandwild.com/review/review.php?id=Factory+Of+Dreams

German review
www.obliveon.de/pn-om/modules.php?op=modload&name=cdreviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=12175

Spanish review
www.hallofmetal.com/ver_disco.php?id=1031

German review
www.heavy-metal.de/?id=12546

...This collaboration between Portugal and Sweden turned out to be quite a good one and “Poles” promises much for the future and I certainly hope there is more to come. This might not wholly appeal to those who eat, breathe and spit Heavy Metal, but it is bound to find a happy home in the hearts of those who enjoy Metal infused with Progressive, Gothic and Electronic elements. Fans especially of the “Universal Migrator” series of AYREON, and NIGHTWISH and WITHIN TEMPTATION should probably put on their shoes and go on a quest to find this; or simply make a few clicks and let the postman complete the quest for you.
www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=14973

French review
www.magicfiremusic.net/chronique.php?cat=chronique&id=2240

...Musically Factory of Dreams isn’t exactly like that of Project Creation. Here, on Poles there is a slight somber, gothic tone to the music. The scale is still epic, lushly orchestrated and extremely dramatic. Letho’s vocals command attention; they are sweet, operatic and movingly melodic. She sings on every track and in most cases her voice brings a haunting tone to the disc. Most of the eleven tracks on Poles are shorter in the three-to-four minute range, and yet there is plenty of variety; songs will start with a spacey tone, or simple electronics before building into huge anthemic pieces. None of the tracks are overly complex from a compositional standpoint. The complexity that is evident shows up in the dense arrangements. They’re heavily layered, with loads of keyboards providing electronic atmospherics, various strings and even lead lines. The guitar is added to this mix, most of the time providing lower end power chords and fuzzy lead lines. Here and there, some unusual percussion is added to some fat drumming and all the while Letho’s vocals soar over the proceedings. The overall feeling is dramatic, haunting, moving and grand. Lyrically there is a sci-fi theme running through the disc so it’s not surprising to have a musical feel similar to Project Creation, but here it’s not quite as heavy, still heavily orchestrated, but not as in-your-face, if you know what I mean...
www.jerrylucky.com/reviews%20f-j_013.htm

...Factory Of Dreams is my first acquaintance with some of the work from Hugo Flores, from Lisboa, Portugal. Musically Factory Of Dreams moves in many different musical landscapes from electronic metal with atmospheric powerful parts to more modern progressive music with great guitars. The songs has a special mood, sometimes dark gothic, but there are also parts that has a more dreamy and light dark touch. Transmission Fails opens the album, a bit dreamy song the first minute, that sparkles with real life when the guitars comes in. The rhythm are special and it took me a few listenings before the song grew in, but it grows the more I hear it! Amongst a very few albums nowadays I think this stands out and sounds different and new in many directions. The Sight Of A Better Universe starts a bit mystic, the vocals from Jessica are just beautiful and give the song a great mood. Also this song has a cool rhythm, but at the same time a fine melody, notice the guitar solo! Air Powerplant has a more gothic touch and the switch between the tough and the parts with the soft piano is really nice. The vocals in this sounds awesome from light soft singing to almost operatic like singing...
home.online.no/~kasboe/new_reviews.htm

Interview
home.online.no/~kasboe/interviews_factoryofdreams.htm

Italian review
www.hardsounds.it/PUBLIC/recensione.php?id=4536

Italian review
www.loudvision.it/musica_recensioni-factory-of-dreams-poles--2311.html

...Atmospheric guitar soloing with some select instances of fretboard frenzy is a feature on this production too, not in a dominant role though. But the main features this time around are vocals rather than instruments. Jessica Lehto's singing gets to soar and dominate from start to finish. She has a strong, clean voice with operatic qualities and she is a perfect choice of vocalist for music exploring big contrasts, dramatic build-ups and generally melodramatic atmospheres. Lehto's powerful vocals contrast with the instruments to some extent of course, but mostly she builds upon the mood provided by them, adding to the tension and nerve of the individual compositions in the big, majestic sounding segments with ease, but also supplying a calmer, soothing side to the ambient-sounding calm moments found throughout this production. Personally I would have enjoyed this album to a much greater degree if it had been less dramatic in scope; there's not much room for nuances and finer details in these compositions, and the individual tracks tend to sound a bit too uniform throughout as well, which ultimately makes this an enjoyable production for me, but not to the extent that there are tunes begging for constant replays, nor are there any tracks that can be said to really stand out either...
www.progressor.net/review/fod_2008.html

Poles is a very interesting release by Factory of Dreams . It consists of Gothic Electronic and Progressive Rock music that should appeal to fans of Ayreon, Arena and other groups of that genre. The music is fronted by an operatic style female singer named Jessica Letho, that kind of reminds me of Kate Bush in her weider and more intense moments. The music is keyboard heavy, with very nice electric guitars. The pieces are well written and performed and often feature some heavy mechanical drums that make me think of a hammer slamming on a metal sheet. The mood of the music on Poles is dark, strange and even horific at times. I can't say that it is my cup of tea, but I am convinced that it will appeal to fans of the genre, because this is original and creative music done by very talented people. For what it is, Poles comes highly recommended.
www.proggnosis.com/PGRelease.asp?RID=26819

...And yes, the story is actually placed in a far-away planet in the city that is by river divided in good and evil. The story is over the top and kind of cliché, but some of the storyline is something we can relate to. In Jessica Letho, Flores has found a talented singer, who has also arranged all the vocals eminently; however, one of the biggest strengths of her vocals lies in a great mixture of gothic vocals from the present and those from the beginnings of the genre. Some of the traces of vocal styles can be traced to the likes of Within Temptation and Nightwish, but for the most part Lehto’s style draws more parallels to the bands that started and defended the genre, such as Siouxsie & the Banshees, Cocteau Twins and Switchblade Symphony. These vocals mixed with a somewhat futuristic feeling in the music creates a beautiful atmosphere throughout most of the album.The album offers some breathtaking moments such as “The Piano In The Sea” and “Crossing The Bridge To The Positive Pole”, but it also has some weak points that lack ideas and focus. Generally speaking, Poles is a positive surprise and a very good fit for the dark and cold season that is upon us.
www.metal-revolution.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.1635

German review
www.virtualplant.de/pandaimonix/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=71:cd-reviews&id=287&Itemid=150

Spanish review
www.manticornio.com/rock-progresivo/F/FACTORY-OF-DREAMS/poles.html

Portugese review
vianocturna2000.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-poles-factory-of-dreams.html

German review
www.stormbringer.at/reviews.php?id=3074

Dutch review
www.fileunder.nl/archives/2008/10/factory_of_dreams_poles.php

Italian review
www.movimentiprog.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Recensioni&file=view&id=2818

German review
www.myrevelations.de/index.php?section=reviews&module=cdreviews&submodule=review_detail&reviewid=5664

Italian review
www.metalloitaliano.it/Recensioni/dettaglio.php?id=699

German review
www.proggies.ch/magazine/index.php?name=Reviews&req=showcontent&id=372

...Factory of Dreams sees Hugo Flores delving into the realms of Progressive Rock and Electro-Gothic music and the end results aren’t too far removed from the latest Space-Rock-Opera of Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s Ayreon project. Sure, “Poles” is not as bold and textured as “01011001”, but there’s definitely some similar traits that somehow ties these two releases together. Like for example the multilayered song-writing and elaborated arrangements conveying a multitude of moods and emotions, mostly within a dark and more dramatic scope, the electric tone of the synthesizers that grants these songs with a mechanical edge and the enthralling vocal harmonies. There’s only one singer featured, but Jessica Letho possesses an outstanding and diverse voice that varies between an Operatic-tone to a more Jazzy-approach akin to Anneke van Giersbergen from The Gathering...
scratchthesurface-webzine.blogspot.com/2008/09/factory-of-dreams-poles.html

...Fronted by the vocals of stunning Sweden-based Jessica Letho, whose incredibly voice is likened to Lori Lewis (THERION), the band unleashes 11 compositions of something, which should be called a cross between gothic and melodic industrial progressive metal. Truthfully, FACTORY OF DREAMS doesn’t come off as straightforward as DREAMQUEST. Flores’ abstract and boisterous electronic sounds blend in an illustrative way with the text and the imagination of events portrayed in the rich soprano performances of Jessica. Luckily, there’s quite variety from track to track. “The Piano in the Sea” relies on peaceful and elegant piano work and Jessica’s soothing vocals define this as a strong candidate for the best ballad of the year. On the contrary, “Air Powerplant” and "Factory of Dreams" feature heavy and up-tempo sections that boost a huge industrial metallic wall of sound in vein of PAIN. “Electric Boom” is also a track that deserves a mention as it stands out with cool fretless bass work provided by Chris Brown of Ghost Circus. Hugo also makes it clear that guitar is his main instruments by churning out innovative and really well-played leads...
www.northernmetal.info/reviews/review_detail.php?id=306

French review
www.musicwaves.fr/frmchronique.aspx?pro_id=3370

Italian review
www.rock-impressions.com/factoryofdreams1.htm

..."Electric Boom" is a guitar-led piece, and showcases Flores's virtuosity on his primary instrument - rich guitar work underscored by a fat fretless bass, and only a few brief lines sung by Jessica. "Air Powerplant" is a standout - one of the simpler tracks, yet the tempo changes from elegant piano work to a huge metallic wall of sound, and with Jessica slipping in and out of an operatic style, it has an appeal of its own. "The Piano In The Sea" is another soft ballad, with piano and electronica floating above that soothing songstress. Closing track "Crossing The Bridge To The Positive Pole" ends rather abruptly, leading you to check your CD player - because surely there ought to be another song? If you're a fan of the progressive goth format of a semi-operatic soprano contrasting dark atmospherics and power-chord driven bass-heavy hard-rock, Factory Of Dreams is not Poles apart from others in the genre - but it's a pleasing listen, and has a lot going for it.
www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6713

German review
allover-ffm-rock.de/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3580&Itemid=91

Italian review
www.heavyworlds.com/reviews.php?id=195

Polish review
atmospheric.pl/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1562&Itemid=2

Interview with band
www.metal-waves.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=758:interview--factory-of-dreams&catid=42:english&Itemid=27

French review
www.desfillesetdesriffs.fr/factory_of_dreams___poles_1694.htm

French review
www.progressive-area.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=805&Itemid=2

Interview with band
www.silentscreamzine.com/InterviewShow.asp?InterviewsID=687&lang=ENG

...Each track on Poles has its own beautiful and distinctive sound. Mixing in progressive, gothic, and operatic elements, Jessica and Hugo provide a very captivating harmony. Overall the album is very easy to listen to and gives off an ethereal, fantasy-like atmosphere. The amount of atmosphere packed into each track lifts the listener off to another world and does not drop them back down until the very end. The environment feels darker, but at the same time very peaceful. The instrumental work vividly contrasts with the vocals. This makes each part stand out by itself, but also blend together to form the overall picture nicely...
www.femmemetalwebzine.com/fodpol.htm

French interview
www.desfillesetdesriffs.fr/factory_of_dreams___juillet_2008_1687.htm

Factory Of Dreams are the new project of Hugo Flores, already engaged with Project creation and here true dominator of the scene taking care of almost all the instrumental parts (guitar, bass, keys, drums) excepting the fretless bass tunes of Chris Brown. The other big protagonist of the band is the Swedish singer Jessica Letho, who interprets all the vocal hooks in a very languid and sweet manner that will make the joy of all the several lovers of female style. The music in “Poles”, anyway, is the ideal to give emphasis to the vocal lines: it’s a very emphasized and dull prog rock, that loves navigating along moderated rhythms and in the wide spaces Flores’s writing weaves. In the economy of the tracks the electronic music has got big relevance, so that the whole takes a not too faraway identity from the most moody gothic or from the typical trademark of Ayreon, taken in their most relaxed and reflective moment. If you cannot listen to albums without a powerful guitar distortion probably “Poles” doesn’t fit you, if instead the above described coordinates please you, you may have a huge relationship with Factory Of Dreams. Give’em a chance.
www.silentscreamzine.com/ReviewShow.asp?ReviewsID=6716&lang=ENG

Ravenheart Music has put me in a position that has made me truly grateful to be able to listen to some great music. Now let's add the awesome cd by Factory of Dreams to the list. Factory of Dreams is a project by Portugese musician Hugo Flores, and this album 'Poles', features the angelic vocals of Swedish lass Jessica Lehto, and is a kinda Melodic, Progressive, Gothic, Atmospheric, Industrial Rock/Metal album. Yep, the whole lot! 11 enchanting tracks here that take the listener on an aural journey of musical bliss, that is captivating and atmospheric, until the journey brings you back to Earth again. I am not going to list individual tracks here, but the whole cd that lasts nearly 50 minutes is a lovely record, and is a worthy album to purchase for any fan of the Femme genre. And I want to add that the standard of musicianship on this record is very high, as is the artwork in the accompanying booklet. We are pleased to say that there is also an interview with Hugo and Jessica on this very website, so check that out, and then go buy this album. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, I promise! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave)
www.ravenheartmusic.com/bio.html

Interview with band
www.northernmetal.info/interviews/interviews_detail.php?id=46

The main man behind this new project is Hugo Flores (Mind’s Eye et al) who handles production and all the instruments bar Fretless bass supplied by Chris Brown. On vocals is Jessica Lehto, who has a high pitched operatic tone perfectly matched for the gothic tinged prog metal on offer here. The theme on here revolves around a place on some distant planet comprising two lands called Poles, separated by a river and this world is ruled by a ‘Generator Of Illusions’. After a suitably pomp opening in ‘Transmission Fails’ there is much musical variety contained within the album from the metal wall of sound on ‘Air Powerplant’ through to the piano/synths led ballad ‘The Piano In The Sea’. Flores gets to flex his guitar skills on much of the album most notably on ‘Electric Boom’ and the title track. Lehto’s vocals are much more accessible than say those on a Nightwish album and indeed fans of Nightwish and other goth metal tinged bands like Epica and Edenbridge will doubtless enjoy this album. If there is one drawback it is that with Flores supplying all the music there is a consistent style throughout which can sound very similar in certain songs. If for example you had a rhythm section it would add for more variety with the individual musicians each adding their own style of playing but when the musician is as talented as Flores this is pretty irrelevant! Very accessible and enjoyable gothic progressive metal with another fine female vocal talent in Jessica Lehto.
www.getreadytorock.com

Italian interview
www.heavyworlds.com/interviews.php?id=99