Dragonforce
In the five years since the first Download Festival a lot has changed; the power metal prowess of Dragonforce would have once been restricted to the world of Bloodstock but as the band return to Donington for the second time in as many years, it's clear that times are changing.
Dragonforce are a UK based power metal band that really knows how to rock. With members from the England, South Africa, Hong Kong and Ukraine it's certainly an interesting mix of characters that provides an interesting mix of sound. When listening to Dragonforce there is a definite sense of technical perfection, but is that enough?
After their introduction, Dragonforce walk out on stage to a cloud-covered main stage crowd. With Herman Li's (vocals + guitar) words ringing through the Main Stage, riff after ear-piercingly powerful riff is hammered out by Sam Totaman; Dragonforce are a band that certainly know how to play.
Within minutes, the crowd all the way from the security barrier to the sound stage, are surging from left to right and jumping in time and on request. Each and every Dragonforce fan is loyal to the band in ways that normally only emo queens can achieve – the difference is that Dragonforce actually earn their appeal.
Apart from a few scavengers, moving through the crowd to collect empty beer cups in exchange for money, Dragonforce impresses the majority of people. With a ballad for everyone, Dragonforce end on 'Through Fire & Flames' and 'Valley of the Damned'. Power metal has come a long way in five years in the UK and if anybody is an example of why – it is Dragonforce.