Power metal band DragonForce has undergone a major change since their last album came out in 2008. Former front-man ZP Theart left the band in 2010 because of differences in opinion and the band held worldwide auditions to find someone who could match Theart's melodic howl. The replacement was announced last year as Marc Hudson, and he undoubtedly proves his worth on the new DragonForce album, "The Power Within."
It doesn't take long for Hudson to show what he's got. Within the first song on the new album, "Holding On," he's wailing like a pro over a hyperbolically fast?paced guitar riff. DragonForce is notorious for its unique brand of power metal, inspired by video game music and the fantasy plotlines that permeate its lyrics. They have been criticized before, as some listeners believe that the fast playing doesn't always allow them to showcase their music to the best of their abilities. However, when the musicians are this talented and capable of playing at crazy tempos while retaining rhythm and melody, such a pace is completely justified.
"Fallen World" starts off with guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman shredding a riff that could potentially melt brains. But it's the following song, "Cry Thunder," that really plays up the cheesy 80s Nintendo metal with which DragonForce's music has been associated. The song not only proves Hudson's vocal abilities but also has a wonderfully over?the?top chorus that includes incredibly fantastical lyrics, "Reckoning day, and the demons we slay/ With the force of the dragon we conquer them all/ Chaos still reigns in the space and the plains/ The ultimate glory awaits as they fall."
The lyrical extravagance of their songs is definitely part of DragonForce's appeal; their music would not be out of place in the background of some epic battle.
Most of the members of the band have been interchangeable throughout the life of DragonForce, but Herman Li and Sam Totman have remained throughout, allowing the quick, intense sound of the group to remain consistent. Both have a taste for intricate guitar lines and techniques, which often culminates in solo?battles with both men engaging in guitar solos at the same time, layering their sound.
"The Power Within" is an amalgamation of different genres, switching from intense bass and guitar instrumentals to power?metal ballads, such as "Wings of Liberty." The song opens with Hudson belting out "Outside of this world there's a life force still burning/ Outside of this land there's a star shining free/ In silence we stand on a golden horizon calling." The lyrics might be cheesy, but if any band can sing words like these while remaining un?ironic, it's DragonForce.
"Seasons" is one of the highlights of the album. The song starts off slower than the others, but Li and Totman build up the background guitars until the chorus arrives and Hudson's voice ties flawlessly into the melodies the guitarists had been subtly playing.
"Last Man Stands" is memorable for featuring blistering bass and guitar solos, a combination rarely seen in rock music. The heavily distorted melodies and chords give the guitars a specifically videogame?esque sound, making DragonForce a distinctive style within the subgenre of power?metal.
The album requires several listens to catch the more intricate parts, which make it all the more enjoyable. Due to the overwhelming speed and intensity of the music and vocals, very little of the album can be appreciated on the first run through. "The Power Within" is merely enjoyable on the surface, but the epic stories threading their way through Hudson's lyrics are easy to miss and they definitely make up a good deal of why DragonForce has such a dedicated following.
ated with. The song not only proves Hudson's vocal abilities but also has a wonderfully over?the?top chorus that includes incredibly fantastical lyrics, "Reckoning day, and the demons we slay/ With the force of the dragon we conquer them all/ Chaos still reigns in the space and the plains/ The ultimate glory awaits as they fall." The lyrical extravagance of their songs is definitely part of DragonForce's appeal; their music would not be out of place in the background of some epic battle.
Most of the members of the band have been interchangeable throughout the life of DragonForce, but Herman Li and Sam Totman have remained throughout allowing the quick, intense sound of the group to remain consistent. Both have a taste for intricate guitar lines and techniques, which often culminates in solo?battles with both men engaging in guitar solos at the same time, layering their sound. "The Power Within" is an amalgamation of different genres, switching from intense bass and guitar instrumentals to power?metal ballads, such as "Wings of Liberty." The song opens with Hudson belting out "Outside of this world there's a life force still burning/ Outside of this land there's a star shining free/ In silence we stand on a golden horizon calling." The lyrics might be cheesy, but if any band can sing words like these while remaining un?ironic, it's DragonForce.
"Seasons" is one of the highlightd of the album. The song starts off slower than the others, but Li and Totman build up the background guitars until the chorus arrives and Hudson's voice ties flawlessly into the melodies the guitarists had been subtly playing.
"Last Man Stands" is memorable for featuring blistering bass and guitar solos, a combination rarely seen in rock music. The heavily distorted melodies and chords give the guitars a specifically videogame?esque sound, making DragonForce a distinctive style within the subgenre of power?metal.
The album requires several listens to catch the more intricate parts, which make it all the more enjoyable. Due to the overwhelming speed and intensity of the music and vocals, very little of the album can be appreciated on the first run through. "The Power Within" is merely enjoyable on the surface, but the epic stories threading their way through Hudson's lyrics are easy to miss and they definitely make up a good deal of why DragonForce have such a dedicated following.
