Dragonforce (originally Dragonheart) were brought together in 1999 by Guitarist Herman Li and Sam Totman [we best not mention Demoniac eh? Ed]. Touring with the likes of Halford (that’s our Rob’s band) and Stratovarius earned them some street cred which led to headlining shows under their name ‘Dragonheart’. Unfortunately, in 2002 it came to light that there was another band under the same name, so that year they became Dragonforce! Their first album Valley of the Damned received pretty high reviews, followed by this was Sonic Firestorm in 2004. Another 3 albums later they’re still in top form, sometimes rated as one of the cheesiest bands in rock, yet not letting it get them down they’re back with their sixth album ‘Maxim Overload’!
It’s a pretty mundane intro to the first track ‘The Game. However, the chorus makes up for it, is catchy as hell. Your typical sing-along Dragonforce, giving you enough cheese to keep you asking for more. The solos don’t really need much of a mention because you know exactly what you’re getting with these guys For example, put an average guitar god on YouTube, then hit the fast forward button and watch. That’s Dragonforce for you!
The beginning to the second track ‘Tomorrows Kings’ promises something a little different with its keyboard eeriness, then in pops the usual riffs that we all know and “some” love, and like a lot of this album its very repetitive to every other song which is probably why these guys get a lot of slating. That aside, songs like ‘Three Hammers’ give us some hope, you’d think it was written for Manowar, however, I don’t think out mighty Eric Adams could sing to this. High pitched goodness, and of course they’re singing about battle and hammers! A winning combo! Then, get your guitar hero games out, this solo is perfect for a “You Rock” on there!
For something a little heavier and darker (well as dark as these can get) try ‘Defenders’ on for size. Fist thumping group vocals reminding me of old school thrash metal, then of course the melodic chorus, showing the musical abilities of pro’s in their genre.
By the time we get to ‘Extraction Zone’ and ‘City of Gold’ as with all Dragonforce albums, I’m getting a little bored and craving something with a little bit of balls to it. Yes, they’re good tracks, but a lot like anything they’ve ever done before.
In disbelief I was just hoping the last track ‘Ring of Fire’ wasn’t actually a cover of our beloved Johnny Cash…but lo and behold It was, why on earth? They have turned a classic absolute blinder of a track into something so, so ridiculous, oh dear.
(4/10 Charlene Rance)
18/08/2014 at 1:13 pm
I heard their version of Ring of Fire; 4/10 was rather generous!