dragonforce sonic firestorm

Released: 22 February 2010 (re release) Label: Spinefarm UK

Everyone’s favourite extreme speed power metal band Dragonforce is re-releasing their first two albums with deluxe extras. Their debut has been re-mastered, but as the band were happy with the original 2004 mix of Sonic Firestorm, they have refreshingly left this release alone, and added the track Cry of the Brave, which had only previously been available on the Japanese release.

Along with this extra track, the album has been repackaged and is bundled with a bonus DVD featuring live footage, video commentaries and new interviews with the band, just to make it worth shelling out for.

On the face of it, if you already own the album, there probably isn’t too much to get excited about, but if you are a late comer to the Dragonforce party, then this is an ideal opportunity to avail yourself of their back catalogue.

Musically this is just about as melodic and over the top as you can hope for in a power metal band. They have been given such unwieldy descriptions as ‘Bon Jovi on speed' or 'Journey meets Slayer', yet that doesn’t quite paint with any accuracy the relentless speed of a full frontal DragonForce aural attack!

This second release saw the acquisition of Dave Mackintosh on drums, and his blast beats and solid wall of double kicks became a staple of the band’s sound from then on.

Highlights here include the classic opener My Spirit Will Go On the lighter-held-aloft mood of the ballad Dawn of a New World, and the nearly ten minute long Soldiers of the Wasteland. All display their breakneck trademark virtuosity.

Cry of the Brave is a worthy addition to the tracklist, with its sweeping chorus, galloping lead break and cheesy lyrics of “Raise our swords we fight for life, Shields and armour shining bright, Strike like dragons we have no fear, Our swords are made of steel.”

Classic DragonForce there!

If you are a fan of tongue-in-cheek metal and twin-guitar soloing insanity at preposterous speeds, then this album really is a classic of its kind, and if it’s served with a large helping of lyrical cheese, then all the better. DragonForce are a fun band that don’t particularly care that dragons and quests aren’t particularly fashionable, at this speed, they can write and play whatever the hell they want, and on the strength of their fanbase now who’s going to argue!

Highly entertaining!

by Steven Hargraves