Review: DRAGONFORCE – “Ultra Beatdown”

DragonForce – “Ultra Beatdown” [Roadrunner]

Artwork can–and should–say so much about the album.  In this case, it appropriately says: ‘Awesome, but what the hell is it?’.  They have now and always comprised of a power metal backbone–albeit in hyperdrive–with Li/Totman’s vibrant, complicated guitar solos and the 8-bit fury of Vadim Pruzhanov spotlit.

Yes, the lyrics are still nonsensical, with key words that sound good, but scarcely address any central theme.  And by the way, why does everything have to happen ‘tonight’ (32 instances; on all, including bonus tracks), last ‘forever’ (21 instances; on 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 and all bonus tracks), and involve ‘dreams’ (18 instances; on all main tracks and 10)?

We get some interesting tango tempo in “Reasons To Live” (one of their best to date), but otherwise it’s either supersonic, a mellow/ballad-like interlude, or soloing. The epitome of heavy metal junk food: to be sparingly consumed, but sweet and tasty in small doses.

FCC OK.  Try 1, *3*, 7.

01. Heroes of Our Time
02. The Fire Still Burns
03. Reasons to Live
04. Scars of Yesterday
05. Heartbreak Armageddon
06. The Last Journey Home
07. Inside the Winter Storm
08. The Warrior Inside
09. Strike of the Ninja (special edition)
10. Scars of Yesterday (special edition)
11. E.P.M. (Japanese bonus)

Rating: