Faster than a laser bullet
Having just given Dragonforce a mixed review on this very website I was looking forward to seeing them live even if it's just to satisfy my own curiosity to see if they can cut it. The cynical side of me should have kept it's mouth shut as not only do Dragonforce deliver the goods they seem to do it with such ease and more importantly they look like they are loving every minute of it.
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There are only two places where you would hear the phrase, "I can't believe the guy at the door took my sword off me". The first is at a ye olde Inn from Medieval times and the second is at a Dragonforce gig. I think the doormen must have thought they were in for a rough night as they kept on confiscating swords and battleaxes from the overly keen metal crowd. A large pile of plastic weapons (even a light sabre of all things) lay just behind the door and it was amusing to think that these items retail for about £10 at any Toys R Us. They are made for kids under the age of seven to play with but for some reason the doormen wouldn't allow them into the club.
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It was evident Dragonforce have a growing loyal fan base as I watched the crowd go crazy when 'The Force' finally hit the stage. The sound was a little all over the place to begin with but it finally settled down during 'Fury of the Storm'. What is immediately impressive is each solo from the album is played almost note for note without any need for improvisation. They did the axe duelling with huge smiles on their faces (I don't think Sam Totman closed his mouth throughout the set) that just drew you into their metal frenzy. Weedy Ballad 'Dawn over a new World' sounded stronger with a chunkier sound and a chorus of a couple hundred punters joining in. 'Prepare for War' marked a slide in the performance as it seemed vocalist ZP Theart was really struggling on the high notes. He is a great front man though, keeping the feverish crowd attentive throughout. It was comical at times as guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman just barged in front of him to start soloing as soon as his vocal lines were finished. This was evident on the CD and to see it live was quite funny. I don't think ZP was too bothered but he gets my sympathy vote for the night.
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The academy isn't the greatest place to see rock bands because the stage is too low and all the great guitar work is largely missed by anyone not stood at the front of the stage. Although I couldn't actually see him, Vadim Pruzhanov's power metal keyboard solo was something of a first but it was far away from the likes of Jorden Rudess. It would have been nice to hear him play some piano instead of the same fast keyboard style he normally plays. In all honesty I think it was more to give the awesome drumming of Dave Mackintosh a well-needed rest. As the band churned out 'My spirit will go on' the guy next to me said, 'I think I've heard the same song ten times' thus highlighting my problem with Dragonforce. After the first five tracks their one trick pony formula got tiring as all the music sounds the same and I was stood thinking, 'C'mon lads can you do anything else'? As the encores started I felt I must be missing the point because the capacity crowd were just lapping it up. It is laser fast metal brilliantly executed and thoroughly entertaining, but for this reviewer it was only entertaining for half an hour but for the rest of the crowd I think they could have played all night.
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I don't think there's been a crowd reaction like this over a British band since Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM. With Dragonforce and the awesome Biomechanical perhaps Britain is ready for an ANWOBHM (Another New Wave Of British Heavy Metal), I guess only time will tell.
To view all photos taken during this set click here. There are 44 available.