DragonForce are rapidly becoming famous as gaming industry takes notice. The band has literally broken new ground as their music coins the term New Wave of Video Game Inspired Heavy Metal (NWVGIHM) appealing to the next generation of music fans. Well, soon it will. It is of course due to their keyboard driven pinball-happy music intertwined with guitar solos courtesy of Herman Li and Sam Totman who take turns exchanging note after note at ten times the speed of light overtaking NCC-1701 at maximum warp.

Of course there are many older metal fans that have enjoyed the bands earlier albums (namely “Valley of the Damned”) that now fear there isn’t any depth in their sound, that their records are sounding the same and quickly become boring. I can only say that the differences are present and that the “Ultra Beatdown” needs to be given some time to digest. Example would be some very enjoyable Symphonic elements. Truth be told the sound is noticeably better on a CD than in a live environment, something that shits me however that’s due to lack of studio tricks, though they do give it a cracking shot. In any case the inconsistence is irrelevant as I am reviewing an album and that’s what most of you will hear.

Typically the album starts of with a track that is similar to the infamous “Through the Fire and Flames” (of “Inhuman Rampage”) in every respect. Tight drumming, epic choruses, emotion filled melodies and ripper keyboard solos (some of which never heard before) and guitar solos all make return. It’s interesting to point out that the band continues to name their songs in the same old DragonForce fashion and the “The Fire Still Burns” is a perfect example of this. It’s one of many seven minute monsters and a great continuation of sound extravaganza. “Heartbreak Armageddon” contains ballad elements as do one or two others with solos played in lower gear giving ZP a chance to assert his majestic voice. “The Last Journey Home” is a song with some classic heavy metal riffs and more of amazing melodies that bring the best out of the singer whose voice is perfectly suited to this form of metal. It’s good to see that album isn’t just dominated by guitars.

There are a number of songs, more so bits here and there, that fit the tag of melodic [majestic] rock so those of you who enjoy the likes of Edguy and Axel Rudi Pell will surely not just get a kick out of “Ultra Beatdown”. It takes a few listens to absorb but in the end the album will give you that desired happy feeling. There are special editions of this album with bonus tracks so buy cautiously.

Expect to hear the music as background noise in your local game store (pushed by DF label Roadrunner), but I bet you, you won’t notice the difference. By the way, for those of you who are into games and accidentally stumbled upon this review from Google one question - still having trouble with the “Through the Fire and Flames “ on Guitar Hero 3? Ha! Welcome to complexities of playing metal!

Track Listing:

1. Heroes of Our Times
2. The Fire Still Burns
3. Reasons to Live
4. Heartbreak Armageddon
5. The Last Journey Home
6. A Flame for Freedom
7. Inside the Winter Storm
8. The Warrior Inside

Title: Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown
Category: CD Reviews
Sub-Category: Metal
Author: militia
Related Link: DragonForce Net
Added: November 2nd 2008
Viewed: 877 Times
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