The cover was designed by Brazilian artist Jobert Mellow who had previously worked with the band on the American edition of the successful debut album Theatre of Shadows (2007) and is also known for works with Sabaton, Grave Digger, Heavenwood, Stuck Mojo, Iron Fire and others.

Dare to Dream was produced and mixed by Dave Schiffman (System of a Down, Audioslave, Avenged Sevenfold) at LCM Studio in Sao Paulo, Brazil and mastered by Howie Weinberg (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Pantera and several others) at Masterdisk Studio in New York.

Frontwoman Dani Nolden comments on the artwork, reason for the "Dare to Dream" title and identity of this new material: "We wanted to achieve something that would represent the whole idea behind the Dare to Dream title and Jobert knew exactly how to capture that, not only on the cover but in the entire album artwork. The title works really well in our area once every single great band was born from a child's or teenager's dream however it applies to everyone, anywhere. It's for a child that doesn't understand why there are wars out there, for those tired of the office work, dreams of going away on a trip or switching jobs, for those who think of a distant future or simply of what is going to happen tomorrow. Daring is essential in everybody's life and it isn't any different in our case. In this new material we kept everything we have been about since the beginning but we dared going one step further. The energy is there as well as the heaviness but we went a little more melodic in some parts and angrier in others. I believe Dare to Dream will come as a shock in a positive way. I see ourselves with a lot more identity nowadays, lyrics are extremely personal and I can say this album is 100% Shadowside".

The tracklist for the CD is as follows:
1. Nation Hollow Mind
2. In The Night
3. Last Thoughts
4. Hideaway
5. Baby in the Dark
6. Ready or Not
7. Memories
8. Wings of Freedom
9. Time to Say Goodbye
10. Life Denied
11. Dare to Dream