Fifty-odd minutes of sheer Power Metal joy.
Oh, come on! If you want subtlety, you really shouldn't come knocking at DragonForce's door; a door, no doubt, festooned with devil horns and of course dragons. Not since 'Sonic Firestorm' have they so blatantly named an album and it will come as no surprise to hear that the contents very much live up to the title, mainly because this is DragonForce and extreme Power Metal is what they do to relax.
There was a time when DragonForce were everywhere, mainly due to the popularity of the epic 'Through The Fire And Flames' on 'Guitar Hero'. 'Extreme Power Metal' sees them infesting the video game world once more with 'Highway To Oblivion' appearing as the hardest level on AUDICA – a VR rhythm game. In true DragonForce style, the track is just one of many kick-ass tunes on the record, each one filled with furiously widdly guitars, epic melodies and searing vocals from Marc Hudson.
After two decades with the band, Herman Li and Sam Totman are still going ridiculously strong on the guitars, and they wisely stick to the sound that has gained them so many fans over the years. It's fast and melodic throughout, but without ever getting shouty or unclear; each song is a mini symphony of excellence in Metal. I know this is a "grovelly" review, but I'm a DragonForce fan and as long as they keep doing what they do best, I'll keep on enjoying it. I even like the cover of 'My Heart Will Go On' (yes, that one), which is pretty much exactly as you'd expect – shorter and much more fun than the original.
'Extreme Power Metal' certainly won't change anyone's mind about DragonForce. However, in that same vein of thought, it should be greedily gobbled up by fans who have waited around two years for a new release. This is fifty-odd minutes of sheer Power Metal joy which shows that the boys are well and truly back, and still at their rightful place on top of the pile.
Alan Holloway
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