Dragonforce: 44,000 U.S. sales in two months

[Jibrille]

The Sonata show I went to was a packed house so I guess it's a city to city thing. They're popular in the Boston area.
I really like DF. I see them more as a live band because the energy during a show is insane. On the CDs, the music is a bit too repetative for me to listen to it on a regular basis. When I told my boyfriend he had to go to do the show with me, I explained them as a 100% cheesy fantasy speed metal band. He agreed with my explanation but also loved their live show.

 

[Angrafan]

Last I read a month ago Lacuna Coil was over 100,000 here. So DF has a way to go but I must say 44+ is impressive. They are the powermetal version of The Darkness imho.

Comalies sold over 100000... But it took them quite a while to do it! Maybe even 2 years, If I am not mistaken...
With 44.000 sold in 2 months, they could easily surpass that...

 

[Jibrille]

Your #s are off.

Lacuna Coil - Comalies breaks Century Media America's sales records
Posted by Rob on Saturday, December 25 2004 11:45 PM

Here's from the official LACUNA COIL site:

"'Comalies' is Century Media America's top-selling album of 2004. It sold nearly 150,000 copies in the U.S. over the last 12 months. 'Comalies' broke every C.M. sales record and it remains the best-selling C.M. release ever to this day."

 

[Angrafan]

Your #s are off.

Those numbers you posted were from the end of 2004! the album was released in 2002! I am pretty sure it took them a while to reach the 100000 mark... I am not sure how long...

 

[dcowboys311]

A few months ago, I suggested that this band would (have) been good for Progpower and every fucking Monday morning quarterback in the world came out on here and took me to task for it and my other choices.

Well, in all fairness, Dragonforce was leading the votes for the "Who would you like to see at ProgPower VII" topic. I guess you either love them or hate them and to you, the haters were more vocal.

I've loved this band ever since I heard Sonic Firestorm and if they keep releasing good albums, I'll keep on listening. I think it's a great thing that they're getting popularity because I would rather have kids listening to DF than From First to Last or My Chemical Romance. Even if they are a "flavor-of-the-month" band, they will still have picked up a few longtime fans from their mainstream exposure. Who knows, the next Michael Romeo or John Petrucci could have been inspired to play the guitar from the first time he heard "Through the Fire and Flames"!

 

[BlackenedDawn]

Hooorayyy Dragonforce! Taking the world by a true Sonic Firestorm! Cheers!!!

 

[Jasonic]

It's called right place at the right time.
I am a DragonForce fan, and am very happy for them.
They certainly seemed to have worked hard and deserve all their success.

That does NOT mean though by any stretch of the imagination that they are more deserving than many other bands.

Let's look back at what happened with thrash in the early 90s? Why did Testament get big pushes, but not Nuclear Assault or Overkill? NA and Overkill were touring their asses off as well. Still on shows like Headbangers Ball, Testament got more of a push, eventually landing them on big tours with Priest and then Maiden.

What I keep seeing here is people trying to justify their liking of DragonForce now that they are "mainstream" (Which I don't know if I would go so far as to say they are, just yet). If you like them, like them! No reason to feel insecure about them just because they have received some recognition. Be happy for them.

 

[trentdk]

I guess we need another word... something between underground and mainstream.

Maybe we could use atmosphere layers... I'd put dragonforce at the stratosphere.

 

[booB]

I'm not a Dragonforce fan by any means, but kudos to them for doing so well.

 

[edgeofthorns]

I could really care less how successful this band is, but record sales doesn't change my opinion about them. I still think there are bands that aren't actually prog that are better than these guys. Edguy and Brainstorm being two that comes to mind instantly. It's like someone else said, Dragonforce is appealing to our dear ADD, video game youth.

By the way, I have nothing against a band having mainstream success. I'd probably get kicked off this forum if some of you knew some of the "mainstream" bands/solo artists that I actually like!

My conclulsion, more power to Dragonforce if they come over here and make there million. It's America and people are free to do that, but I'm not buying their crap!

 

[VeganSupremacy]

Anyone recall when MP3.com allowed bands to upload their stuff (4-5 years ago, Internet time = 27 years), and people could buy albums from the band and MP3.com would burn the album and mail it? Guess who rode the top of the Metal charts for God knows how long? Dragonforceeee!

I remember when their band name was Dragonheart on mp3.com. I guess they found out there was already a band from brazil named that and then they became Dragonforce. They were on top of the metal charts on mp3.com for a very long time.

 

[jdennis007]

..u should see the video of the guitarist doing some solos and rips or whatever you want to call them..sloppy as hell and awful..its obvious their producer uses a shitload of effects..because after watching this video, they need it!

But hey..more power to them!

JD

 

[jdennis007]

My conclulsion, more power to Dragonforce if they come over here and make there million. It's America and people are free to do that, but I'm not buying their crap!

same here sorry.

 

[Destination Forever]

Right now, I'm indifferent towards Dragonforce. I used to be a fan, but now, when I go back and listen to "Sonic Firestorm," I am not really that impressed anymore and am thinking that Dragonforce are pretty bland. It amazes me that bands like Gamma Ray (who I just finally discovered recently) have played the same type of power metal much better (albeit not as fast if some consider that better) and for a longer period of time than Dragonforce and have still not received much credit here in America.

 

[Jasonic]

I have said it before and will say it again.
Pop punk kids get a "kick" out of being into 80's metal bands and wearing shirts of Dio, Maiden, Priest, etc. It is the whole "retro is kool" thing.

DragonForce's insane soloing and wankery is appealing and is their trademark (gimmick) that sells well.

It isn't much of a shock. They seem like they have fun and don't take themselves too seriously.

While bands like Gamma Ray and BG overall are better songwriters than DF, to the non-metal fan they probably aren't as appealing.

 

[VeganSupremacy]

I totally agree Jasonic. Dragonforce is a novelty band to all these kids and 99% of them don't know anything about the power metal scene or care to know. It really irritates me.

 

[wayland smithers]

I think I summed up Dragonforce and their explosion of success with this review of Inhuman Rampage;

"Stratovarius , Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, and Angra should have received this type of attention ten years ago. I must say it is good to see the genre finally getting some recognition but the previously mentioned bands deserved it."
"I remember reviewing Drangonforce's debut “Valley of the Damned” and thinking it was nothing special, just a supped up hyper Helloween meets Stratovarius and those bands invented this sound. “Sonic Firestrom ” was more of the same. This third release “Inhuman Rampage” does not change my opinion of them regardless of their hype or label push."
"Musically they are skilled and live (I saw them at the New England festival where you would think Maiden was on stage) can play as fast and are as technically precise so I will give em that.
Problem is that every song is very fast and has the same delivery.
If there was ever a band to give Power Metal the stigma of being repetitive because of arrangements and speed its these guys."

I think the last statement here is very true.

 

[Cheiron]

Yeah, but they also play some great slower songs. Kind of that Bon Jovi/Aerosmith feel. Its not as if Herman Li can only play fast, he can play quite soulful at times.

A lot of 'pure metal' fans reaction to DF is like when Faith No More came out and got quite popular, I'm sure a lot of prog-metal fans were scratching their heads wondering why their band wasn't making the money... when 'their' band is 'better.'

Others become frightened that its going to lead to a downfall of metal. Right. People think that basically every year, for as long as metal has been around, and they have consistently been wrong.

 

[DonCoryson]

However, it IS good in the sense that someone may go out and buy our favorites because they like Dragonforce. That, in itself, is a big plus, I think.

It is always good when a band that plays real metal is able to sell as much as they have in today's modern music climate without having to compromise their sound.

Dragonforce might be gimmicky, and they might have put out the exact same album 3 times now, but if we can get increased attention, tours, and distribution by European power metal bands in the USA we shouldn't be complaining as fans.

 

[manowarfan1]

Okay - so I get back to Colorado on Sunday the 17th - prolly about 6 or so (I gain a couple hours heading back woo hoo) - so by the time i get from Denver to my house it will be 7pm - if people stay outta the way - and funnily enuff - at a club about a mile from my house than night - is Dragonforce. Now I was pretty wiped out after last years' PP - but I think I may have it in me to see one more set of metal (of any kind that isnt nu, lol) in me before I call in sick the next day

jeff