Dragonforce | The Power Within

by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer –

It took them a few good years but they are finally back! Dragonforce the British-French extreme power metal group shook the rock and mainstream world on numerous occasions during the previous decade; from 2003 to 2008 Dragonforce put out four genre-defining albums (statement holds no exaggeration) the last of which hit the Billboard top-100 at position 18! When was the last time a Euro-power band entered the US top 200, one can not say, yet as the members themselves are quick to point out, Dragonforce play extreme power metal rather than simply power metal.

Ever-present melodic guitar lines, complicated guitar/keyboard harmonies, outrageously technical power metal rhythm section plus traditional vibrato-based vocals are defining elements of the Dragonforce musical mix.

Dragonforce have been through a good number of line-up changes, but always retained a very high musical/technical standard- still- the loss of lead singer ZP Theart delivered a significant blow to the band, if one is to judge by the time-gap intervening between the previous album and The Power Within. The established line up of founding guitar-duo Herman Li and Sam Totman, bassist Frederic Leclercq keyboardist Vladim Pruzhanov and drummer Dave Mackintosh are joined by new vocalist Marc Hudson.

Obscenely fast tempos once again lay the foreground for a barrage of guitar arpeggios, and vicious riffs; balancing the equation are the melodic vocal lines, which remain attached to clearly defined verses, choruses and main bodies. In addition the keyboards, though remaining substantially in the background, reinforce definition within each song – changes in key signify the move from a song’s main body to a verse, or from a verse to a chorus. So rest assured you will not get lost in the ‘firestrom’ of instrumental technique and musical cosmetics. That is not to say however that The Power Within will prove an easily digestible musical package to begin with.

Unless you have been listening to Dragonforce’s previous album on a daily basis over the past four years you will have to play The Power Within over and over before you are able to identify/recall which melody or solo comes from which song. And really there would be no point for anything larger than a 10-track album as each song is an overload of technique and speed at its own right, making it rather easy for one to get lost within its structures unless paying their full attention.

Overall The Power Within is a rather predictable yet 100% authentic Dragonforce album. If you enjoyed previous Dragon-releases or consider yourselves a long-term admirer of their output, you can not possibly be let down by their fifth album.

Genre: Extreme Power Metal

Line Up:
Marc Hudson – lead vocals
Herman Li – guitars
Sam Totman – guitars
Vadim Pruzhanov – keyboards
Dave Mackintosh – drums
Frédéric Leclercq – bass

Track List:
1. Holding On
2. Fallen World
3. Cry Thunder
4. Give Me the Night
5. Wings of Liberty
6. Seasons
7. Heart of the Storm
8. Die By the Sword
9. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (Acoustic Version)

Band website: http://www.dragonforce.com/

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10

HOLY GRAIL confirms DragonForce tour, SXSW plans

Fresh from Australia, group kicks off mini-tour with Saviours this weekend

The Los Angeles-based HOLY GRAIL, who are currently recording the follow-up to their acclaimed debut Crisis In Utopia (named one of 2010′s Top 20 releases by Revolver, who called it “the catchiest album of pure heavy metal since Maiden, Priest and Dio ruled the early ’80s”), have been confirmed to support DragonForce on a spring tour that kicks off at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on April 21.

In addition, the group, who just completed a successful tour of Australia, will play four shows at South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas next week as part of a short tour alongside Saviours. While in Austin, HOLY GRAIL will play two showcases — Prosthetic’s official label showcase, as well as another presented by MetalSucks — in addition to two prominent day parties. A complete list of the group’s upcoming performances appears below. Read more

Dragonforce & Sonata Arctica Live!

September 28th, 2009 at The Beamont Club in Kansas City, MO.

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

DragonForce headling tour in support of their latest studio release Ultra Beatdown made it’s stop in Kansas City. The fall tour runs through October 11 and makes it’s final stop in Philadelphia. This will probably be the band’s final U.S. tour in support of their most recent album, Ultra Beatdown.

With Sonata Arctica, as well as DragonForce labelmates Taking Dawn, opening the show, metal fans are sure to enjoy several genres of metal. That being heavy, progressive and power metal. Dragonforce’s latest power-riff fueled opus, Ultra Beatdown, was unleashed upon the world last August. With the support of Roadrunner Records the band continues to deliver it’s music to the world.

Sonata Arctica’s new CD, The Days Of Grays, was just released on Nuclear Blast Records.

Dragonforce/Sonata Arctica 2009 Photo Gallery

Photos by John Kindred

Tout dates:
9/29/2009 Cabooze On The West Bank Minneapolis, MN
9/30/2009 House of Blues Chicago, IL
10/2/2009 Sound Academy Toronto, ONT
10/3/2009 Le Medley Montreal, QUE
10/4/2009 Theatre Imperial Quebec City, QUE
10/6/2009 The Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza New York, NY
10/7/2009 Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD
10/9/2009 The Palladium Worcester, MA
10/10/2009 Chance Poughkeepsie, NY
10/11/2009 Theater of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA