Spring Break
REVIEW: That same old Dragonforce song and dance
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Focus
British hair metal band Dragonforce, arguably best known for the song "Through The Fire And Flames" which was featured in "Guitar Hero III," returns again with their extreme power metal and cheesy lyrics on their fourth album, "Ultra Beatdown."
And the result? Pretty tiring.
What was once a spectacle is now more of the same thing over and over again, and what worked for three albums is now beginning to sound the same as each track carries a similar mold: seven-plus minutes of nonstop guitar power from Herman Li, soaring choruses and sing-a-long moments from singer ZP Theart and bad lyrics.
Can you blame them though? After the unexpected success of "Inhuman Rampage," why change the format at all? Now, it's not to say that "Ultra Beatdown" can't be enjoyed; that's not true at all. It's just that there's only so much one can take before you realize that you've been listening to the same song (just with a different title) for the past half-hour.
The album's single, "Heroes Of Our Time," is the sole standout moment on the album. While it's not very unique when stacked next to the other tracks, it sports a few epic moments when the music all but drops out and Theart's vocals echo through your speakers.
"The Fire The Still Burns" feels like a sequel to "Through The Fire And Flames," and there are moments where you can mistake the two songs for the other.
The skills that the members of Dragonforce possess is awe-inspiring, and let's face it, their brand of Super Nintendo-era metal is addicting, but it's a guilty pleasure that should be enjoyed in small doses.
2.5 stars (out of 5)
And the result? Pretty tiring.
What was once a spectacle is now more of the same thing over and over again, and what worked for three albums is now beginning to sound the same as each track carries a similar mold: seven-plus minutes of nonstop guitar power from Herman Li, soaring choruses and sing-a-long moments from singer ZP Theart and bad lyrics.
Can you blame them though? After the unexpected success of "Inhuman Rampage," why change the format at all? Now, it's not to say that "Ultra Beatdown" can't be enjoyed; that's not true at all. It's just that there's only so much one can take before you realize that you've been listening to the same song (just with a different title) for the past half-hour.
The album's single, "Heroes Of Our Time," is the sole standout moment on the album. While it's not very unique when stacked next to the other tracks, it sports a few epic moments when the music all but drops out and Theart's vocals echo through your speakers.
"The Fire The Still Burns" feels like a sequel to "Through The Fire And Flames," and there are moments where you can mistake the two songs for the other.
The skills that the members of Dragonforce possess is awe-inspiring, and let's face it, their brand of Super Nintendo-era metal is addicting, but it's a guilty pleasure that should be enjoyed in small doses.
2.5 stars (out of 5)
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