“If it ain't broke, don't fix it” is seldom a positive turn of phrase in the music industry. With the exception of AC/DC and Motorhead, bands are largely condemned if they're not churning out some sort of grind-rave-dubstep-reggae-arse-core hybrid. This is unfortunate for DragonForce, who are constantly battling accusations that their music sounds like Super Smash Bros.
The thing is, DragonForce don't just have “that one song”. If you truly believe Through The Fire And Flames to be the power metal meddlers' finest moment, then you need your ears cleaning. 'Maximum Overload', the group's sixth full-length, further cements their status as one of the UK's most unique acts.
Sure, you've still got all the ingredients that made DragonForce an equally revered and reviled band. There's an abundance of video game overkill during Extraction Zone, the lighting-fast interplay between guitar fiddlers Herman Li and Sam Totman is still integral and, to top it all off, the lyrics to Three Hammers read like a World Of Warcraft narrative. Basically, it seems that – on the surface – Dragonforce are playing it a tad too safe.
But, for those already initiated, subtle variations decorate 'Maximum Overload' in an obliquely positive fashion. Marc Hudson has finally morphed into a frontman after failing to deliver on 'The Power Within' and his second outing with the band finds his stamp on the perilous highs of The Game and the unapologetically cheesy Three Hammers. This isn't DragonForce featuring Marc Hudson. This is DragonForce, full stop.
Gushes of prog flow thanks to FrédéricLeclercq's input, especially during his fret-wanking bass solo on The Sun Is Dead, which harks back to Disciples Of Babylon from the band's debut release, 'Valley Of The Damned'. Guttural roars, courtesy of Trivium's Matt Heafy, add a tonne of weight to album opener The Game, while gang vocals on No More and Defenders lend an almost punk edge to proceedings.
DragonForce were never going to come back sounding like the Ramones. Nobody makes music quite like this band, so to meddle with their formula would be a proverbial shot in the foot. With 'Maximum Overload', DragonForce have pulled up references from their past and shoved them in a smelting pot of extras. Their cover of Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire might be too much for some, but then again, they've never been ones to do things half-heartedly. Go hard or go home, right?
Dragonforce Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed September 17 2014 - EDINBURGH Liquid Room
Thu September 18 2014 - ABERDEEN Lemon Tree
Fri September 19 2014 - GLASGOW King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
Sat September 20 2014 - BELFAST Limelight 2
Sun September 21 2014 - DUBLIN Whelans
Tue September 23 2014 - CARLISLE Brickyard
Wed September 24 2014 - MIDDLESBROUGH Middlesbrough Empire
Thu September 25 2014 - MANCHESTER Manchester Deaf Institute
Fri September 26 2014 - STOKE Sugarmill
Sat September 27 2014 - BIRMINGHAM Temple, Institute
Tue September 30 2014 - BRIGHTON Haunt
Wed October 01 2014 - SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
Thu October 02 2014 - PLYMOUTH White Rabbit, Plymouth
Fri October 03 2014 - BRIDGEND Hobos Live Music Venue
Sat October 04 2014 - BRISTOL Thekla
Tue October 07 2014 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Wed October 08 2014 - NOTTINGHAM Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Thu October 09 2014 - COLCHESTER Arts Centre
Fri October 10 2014 - NORWICH Waterfront
Sat October 11 2014 - LONDON Bush Hall
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