DRAGONS FIRE could not really come from anywhere else than Germany. Their sound is typically Teutonic Heavy Metal, played loud, played fast, with bravado, but with melody.  Oh, and guitars, lots and lots of guitars (OK three guitarists, but they make it sound like thousands). The "Metal X" EP was originally released to mark the bands 10th year of Metal mayhem, so it feels appropriate this release marks 15 years of Heavy Metal lifestyle.

I don't normally do this, but a quick word about the cover.  Who doesn't love a Metal dragon swooping over a crowd of Metal "horns".  These are actually Dragonsfire-Pommesgabel, a tool for the most important jobs for any metalhead, opening beers and grilling on the BBQ. All 6 songs on the EP are straight ahead no nonsense head bangers in the tradition of ACCEPT, RAGE, HELLOWEEN etc. with a nod to MAIDEN, PRIEST, MANOWAR, especially with the most effective triple guitar attack.

Opening track "Young And Wild" could so easily be a bunch of us old rockers sitting in a bar reminiscing about how we were when we were younger (because we are all still that young in our heads). "Welcome To The Afterlife" is a song about dragons and daemons, magic and mysticism etc., staple subjects for Metal merchants since this music was born. But who cares, sometime we all need to escape to a fantasy place.

Both "Heretic" and "Steel Eel" are short sharp songs. One about organised religion, the other about a naughty perverted eel (their words not mine!). Apparently the version on this EP is the long one.  Coming in at 2:58, how short is the short version?  Both songs could not be more different in their subject matter, but the light and shade is welcome. "Man On A Mission" is a deep subject.  It details a German Soldier's experiences in Afghanistan, being under heavy enemy fire for the first time.  The power and emotion in the song are evident and conveyed eloquently both in the words and music of this powerful song.

The MAIDEN analogue is none more evident than on "Hell," which to me evokes the BLAZE BAYLEY years, especially the first few bars, and whilst purists might disagree with me that was still a damn fine period in MAIDEN'S history.

This is a damn fine EP.  My only criticism is it's over too quickly (I know it's an EP!).  A few extra tracks, some live stuff perhaps would have been nice, but that is only because it was so enjoyable to listen to.

Highly recommended.