Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 Speedy March 16, 2004
20 out of 24 found this review helpful
Considering that Dragonforce are about to fling a new slab of breakneck-paced melodic metal at the world, I figured it was high time I put down my thoughts on the debut, after having a year to take it in. Obviously, the most striking feature is their sheer speed, matching the velocity of most thrash bands, but infusing it with a keen melodic sensibility. These choruses are some of the catchiest I have ever heard. The production is very top heavy; a little scratchy on the ears at high volumes, but I suspect that the material translates well into a live setting. The guitar solos shred so hotly I'm surprised Herman Li's guitars don't burst into flame; but, they can be over the top with the flash and pomp. They can write some great hooks, but the songs are not varied enough to make this a truly special experience; it holds on for a long time provided you don't listen to it too much so that it stays fresh. If they can exert more range in their tempos and dynamics in the future, they could easily top this respectable, but not great, debut full length. I've got my fingers crossed.
 the fastest power metal out there!!! February 1, 2004
Matt Stoessel (Tolland, CT USA)
17 out of 22 found this review helpful
I don't think this world has yet seen a faster band....... At least in power metal. First off, I want to state that this band sounds a bit like Rhapsody + Lost Horizon. Valley of the Damned reminds me more or Lost Horizon's first album - Awakening the World. And boy did that CD ever "awaken the world"! There are next to no keyboards on this album (Valley). Many of the songs are about 6:15 long, but the first track is the shortest I've ever heard at 0:13. You are getting your money's worth for 9 tracks. The title track is a wonder - one of a couple over 7 minutes. Revelations was released as a demo when the band's name was Dragon Heart. That song is also pretty good. Every song except for thae ballad, Starfire, is hyper speed. By that I mean about the speed of Father Time by Stratovarius. Imagine the speed of Rhapsody's fastest songs and Skylark's fastest songs with an even faster bass. That's how fast this band plays! So how good actually are these 8 songs? I love 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9. Revelations isn't as good as these, in my opinion. Starfire is so hard to get into because its so much slower than the other songs! I'd say that its an okay ballad. Track 8 is like Starfire in quality. I don't think the production for this album is that great, but the writing talent makes up for it. Think of how we still love Images in Worlds by Dream Theater (is that what its called? Can't remember.......). Its because of how good it is - not the production. I would recommend Dragonforce to about anybody. There aren't any bands who sound like Dragonforce. Some power metal bands I've heard include Hammerfall, Helloween, Brainstorm, Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, Primal Fear, Sinergy, Manowar, and Falconer, to name a few. Nobody sounds like Dragonforce. When you get the time, go read some of my other reviews and say if they helped you or not.
Classic German metal Via England and other places February 26, 2005
Mattowarrior (Madison, WI United States)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Power Metal bands are often cut from the same cloth these days. It seems like Satan uses the same mold when creating new bands, giving a whole new twist on the word cookie cutter! Fast tempos, high vocals, solos, and similar tempos create the impression that there is a lack of creativity within this genre. However, there sometimes is a band that stands out, even if they're not a whole lot different. Dragonforce is one of these bands. I hear the influence of classic Blind Guardian albums like Tales from the Twilight World and Somewhere Far Beyond when listening to this, as well as Grave Digger, and even a bit of Yngwie/Stratovarius/Sonata type neo classical metal and classic british metal thrown in. Original? Not neccesarily. Fun and inspiring? Hell yes! In fact, the songs have enough distinction (though still not much) to make them stick in your head for days. Hopefully this album is not a fluke like Lost Horizon's debut. I toast my ale to Dragonforce! All hail British Metal!
A Not-Heard-About-Enough Band January 15, 2005
Gary Kiester (Portland, Oregon)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
The musical techniques, tempos and time signitures on this album are just phonominal. They are out of this world music. Even though the tempo may be at about 220, they do not hesitate but push that tempo to the limit by playing sixteenths on their guitars and drums. The music is very well written, and even though you will constintly have guitars blasting and drums pounding, it isn't like some death metal bands out there who play random notes and have a singer who sounds like he is constipated with rabid weasles attached to his armpits while his head is on fire. It is completly different. The music is modern, fits nicley in the Power Metal genere, but also has a singer who is a tenor, with a wide range and also brings an 80's feel to the music. It is great music, and I recommend it to all rock lovers out there, no matter what genere of rock you like the best.
Herman's Finger May 22, 2006
Lela Lofton (Detroit)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I will be honest. I bought this album as a joke. Their name, the d&d-themed lyrics, and thier look seemed completely irrasistable for a good laugh. I laughed a lot...and then the laughter stopped. Why? Because this is the fastestest, most musically talented metal band EVER, thats why. Herman Li is an incredible guitarist. More than incredible, he is a god of his art. And that's not to say the rest of the band is chopped liver. They all rock. I've actually come to love the cheesy lyrics, and I often sing along. I listen to this album every day, and so should everyone, as far as I'm concerned. Buy it. Love it.
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