I can't help but think about one thing, after the listening session of this CD... This is extreme Power into Metal! The second official attack from Britain's Dragonforce really whipped my poor ears like a grinding stone. Hmmm... all these may lead you to the easy this album must be a helluva great release conclusion. It's not exactly like that, we'll chat 'bout Sonic Firestorm a little bit more further down.
Dragonforce is a London-based quintet, formerly under the similar name of Dragonheart (wow...). Signing to the Sanctuary label can be underlined as a good start for a Metal band, further more if you're into a non-UK familiar sport as hyper-speed-double-bass-high-pitched Power Metal - all of Germany, Scandinavia and half of Italy can offer the ideal representatives. So, the Valley Of The Damned demo arises in 2000 (produced, if I remember well, by Threshold's Karl Groom) and the band (notice: having released just one demo recording) supports Mr. Rob Halford and Stratovarius in various 2001 European gigs. Gaining lots of experience and practicing their asses off, Valley Of The Damned was officially released as a full-length debut album in 2003 (the demo tunes plus some brand new recordings) and the band tours as the support act to the Helloween Japanese dates. Not bad... Due to the release of the currently reviewed CD, Dragonforce opened up for the W.A.S.P. Neon God pt.I European tour. Enough...
Recorded and mixed at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey UK, from the 6th of October to the 10th of December 2003, the overall feeling the average listener would get would probably be what are these guys doing' now?. To clear things up a little bit: there are notes everywhere, endless lead parts and double-bass drumming all over the album's songs - sometimes there are also Black Metal-like blast beats (I'd like to talk to the drummer's feet a little bit). There's no doubt that the band is well rehearsed, anything else would lead to total chaos (and the producer's suicide, also...) but I think they should have played a little bit less, every member individually. Shit, how do you explain this? The music is very good, it definitely is away from the usual 90's Euro-Power cliche and you don't feel bored by listening the CD at once. You just feel... glutted!
Dragonforce will open up for Angra in some European dates during February 2005, whereas the ultimate challenge comes in the same year's summer, being the opening slot for the Maiden clan in some Euro-dates (again). Take a change and listen to this CD, you'll surely like what's inside but it's personal business if you will digest it or not.