Dragonforce - 'Inhuman Rampage' (Roadrunner) Released 09/01/06

Sometimes you have to exist so far outside of 'cool' to truly become the coolest...

Dragonforce are all about the rock; lacking in shame, losing control within the moment and ultimately becoming totally electrifying in the process. It’s like going to see The Rocky Horror Show, yes you may cringe at the thought of being surrounded by bankers dressed in lace stockings and rouge lipstick, but once you stop thinking about other people’s opinions you find yourself enjoying it all the more. Yes, it is over the top. Yes, there are generally three to five guitar solo sections within each song (but, if you had the unbelievable twin talents of Herman Li and Sam Totman wouldn’t you abuse it to the max?) but if you were to drop that cynically induced sense of fear that beseeches you, then you’d find yourself falling madly in love with their daring musicianship, sky-soaring melodies and the deeply ingrained sense of drama that makes every song seem like a mini-soap-opera. It’s the power metal equivalent of Meatloaf, far more influenced by Broadway Musicals than Black Sabbath, but the true power of Metal abandonment is a resolutely refreshing thing to behold, especially when played so well by people who are truly in love with their music.

Sometimes laughing isn’t exactly by choice and the sheer pomposity becomes somewhat overwhelming, especially when vocalist Z P Theart chooses to use the same Vocoder effect that Cher’s ‘Believe’ made famous in years gone by, during the metallic stomping of ‘Revolution Deathsquad’, and as the tears in your eyes roll down to meet the corners of your mouth, raised high by your smile, your heart for this band will grow ever deeper. I sometimes doubt the band realise the ironic quality to their music, and what people mock about them  may actually mean the world to them, but maybe they’re just jealous because this music sounds so fun to make. So whether you’re hear for the long ride or just a good time, Dragonforce are the perfect band to accompany you on your trip, no matter how far you’ll go! I’ve already ordered my Dio T-shirt, what about you?