DragonForce - Sonic Firestorm
Noise - NO3850 - April 19th 2004
By Graham Boyle
Sonic Firestorm is the long awaited 2nd album from London based speedy melodic power metallers DragonForce. The band released one hell of a debut album in, Valley Of the Damned, an album that I have literally played to death, and that in my humble opinions is one of the best power metal albums in the last few years. I remember hearing a playback of the debut album, in guitarist, Herman Li's home studio and being stunned by the sheer quality and sonic fury that jumped out from the speakers and grabbed me by the throat.
Recorded late last in year, under the guidance of producer and Threshold guitarist, Karl Groom, Sonic Firestorm, answers the questions that the debut album left asking. Could DragonForce, once again deliver the goods and match the brilliance of Valley Of the Damned? Minutes into opener, 'My Spirit Will Go On', that question is already being answered. Fast, furious, break neck speed, all wall of guitars, warp speed 9 drums, melodic vocals from ZP Theart and of course a killer melody. The next 2 songs, don't let up on the pace. It's not until, 'Dawn Of the New World', that things slow down to a more gentle speed, with a ballad to match the grace and beauty of, 'Starfire', from the debut album.
If I had to pick a favourite, it would be, 'Above The Winter Moonlight', with it's ultra catchy chorus, and killer middle section that I dare say is slightly progressive. The prog tinged moments are stretched further during the 6 minutes and forty three seconds of, 'Prepare For War'. This is the song that says everything you'll ever want to know about DragonForce. A chorus that will have you singing for days, so fast that you'll have whiplash from headbanging and solo's galore that will have your air guitar skills put to a mighty test.
DragonForce continue the style from their debut; behind the ultra speed, guitar gymnastics, and technical prowess lies an undeniable strength - the songs. This is what stands DragonForce head and shoulders above the majority of their competition. This time they have refined (without repeating) the style of 'Valley Of the Damned', taking it a step further, adding blast beats, more melody and proving that the debut album was no fluke.
10/10
Noise - NO3850 - April 19th 2004
By Graham Boyle
Sonic Firestorm is the long awaited 2nd album from London based speedy melodic power metallers DragonForce. The band released one hell of a debut album in, Valley Of the Damned, an album that I have literally played to death, and that in my humble opinions is one of the best power metal albums in the last few years. I remember hearing a playback of the debut album, in guitarist, Herman Li's home studio and being stunned by the sheer quality and sonic fury that jumped out from the speakers and grabbed me by the throat.
Recorded late last in year, under the guidance of producer and Threshold guitarist, Karl Groom, Sonic Firestorm, answers the questions that the debut album left asking. Could DragonForce, once again deliver the goods and match the brilliance of Valley Of the Damned? Minutes into opener, 'My Spirit Will Go On', that question is already being answered. Fast, furious, break neck speed, all wall of guitars, warp speed 9 drums, melodic vocals from ZP Theart and of course a killer melody. The next 2 songs, don't let up on the pace. It's not until, 'Dawn Of the New World', that things slow down to a more gentle speed, with a ballad to match the grace and beauty of, 'Starfire', from the debut album.
If I had to pick a favourite, it would be, 'Above The Winter Moonlight', with it's ultra catchy chorus, and killer middle section that I dare say is slightly progressive. The prog tinged moments are stretched further during the 6 minutes and forty three seconds of, 'Prepare For War'. This is the song that says everything you'll ever want to know about DragonForce. A chorus that will have you singing for days, so fast that you'll have whiplash from headbanging and solo's galore that will have your air guitar skills put to a mighty test.
DragonForce continue the style from their debut; behind the ultra speed, guitar gymnastics, and technical prowess lies an undeniable strength - the songs. This is what stands DragonForce head and shoulders above the majority of their competition. This time they have refined (without repeating) the style of 'Valley Of the Damned', taking it a step further, adding blast beats, more melody and proving that the debut album was no fluke.
10/10
