arcane-beautiful Dragonforce have always been a guilty pleasure for me. Now I do love a lot of power metal bands. And Dragonforce are power metal for a specialist audience. I remember first getting into the band when I was about 11. I heard “My Spirit Will Go On”, and I just fell in love with the band. Then I bought Sonic Firestorm, and yea, that album is probably one of my most favourite albums of all time. These guys where also one of the first bands I ever saw live.

Now ever since there shot to fame since the Guitar Hero fad, the bands last 2 albums where very good, with Inhuman Rampage being the perfect follow up to Sonic Firestorm in my opinion. But...it wouldn't last forever.

When a lead singer leaves a band, the personality is usually lost. Now this isn't a bad thing. Loads of bands are able to reinvent themselves when a new lead singer approaches...but that lead singer better be good. So Dragonforce auditioned many different lead singers from across the globe to get the position, and what they found was Marc Hudson.

Now...is he any good. Of course he is. The dude can wail. Is he better than ZP. Well in my opinion I do prefer ZP, but still...the new dude can wail.

Now that the new voice has been found, the band needed an album to show these dudes still matter...so was it successful.

Yes...and no...

Starting on negativity, the band hasn't really changed too much. Granted, the songs are kick and and there are some interesting new moments...Dragonforce have weakened and aged a bit. Not that the band have lost any of their flair, it's just that...we've heard all this before. Now I have a theory that this band are turning into the French Power metal band Heavenly (mainly due to the ex guitar player from Heavenly is the bands bass player)

The lyrics are the same as always, about the slain, the fallen wastelands, the glory and all that stuff. I find it funny that at the start of each song in the lyric booklet there is almost an explanation of the song, making them seem that they are actually about something...and they're not...

Musically the band is as good as ever. Some interesting arrangements and that, but still the same. But the big thing I saw as a dramatic change was the length of the tracks. Now Dragonforce are used to having big epic long 6-8 (and one 9 minute) songs, with loads of twists and turns and a lot of instrumental passages and just a lot of fun. Now the band has toned this down to mostly 5 minute tracks...which is interesting and a little bit more accesible, but I do admit, I was always into the more epic sounding songs of Dragonforce.

Having stated some of the negatives, I do agree that there are moments on the album that surprised me. But...this is still Dragonforce...but don't be too critical...just have some fun.

1. Holding On – A perfect start to the album, and a perfect way to introduce new vocalist, Marc. Great chorus and just some pretty cool riffs and Dragonforce esque moments. 8/10

2. Fallen World – One of the most kick ass songs on the album. Love the chorus on this song. The instrumental section in the middle of the song is one of the most kick ass instrumentals I've heard in a Dragonforce song. 9/10

3. Cry Thunder – When I first heard this song, I was rather surprised. A moderately tempoed Dragonforce song? When I first heard this song, I did think “wow, the verses are leading up to something epic.” Now I was let down a little bit by the chorus, but its still kick ass nonetheless. A very different approach for Dragonforce. 9/10

4. Give Me The Night – Ok, this sounds like Whitesnake on speed. Very cheesy, but who cares. It's still really kick ass. 9/10

5. Wings Of Liberty – Ok, now this is a return to the classic Dragonforce epic sounding song. A very diverse and fast paced song. An exciting listen, and one of the best moments on the album. 9/10

6. Seasons – One of Dragonforce's most interesting songs. The chorus is definitely one of there best and most interesting. Now on the version of this album I have, there is a bonus track where there is an acoustic version of this song. I do favour the acoustic version of the song, but I do like that both versions of the song do exist. 9/10

7. Heart Of The Storm – Ok, I've heard this song before. This sounds exactly like another Dragonforce song...or every song by Dragonforce. It's just bland and dull. 5/10

8. Die By The Sword – This is probably one of the most kick ass and most “metal” songs on the album. There is some really kick ass moments on the album. 8/10

9. Last Man Stands – A great ending to the album. Some of the bands best lyrics as well. 8/10

CONCLUSION: You really want to criticise Dragonforce for being...well Dragonforce, but that really is just mean. If I was to say something bad about Dragonforce, it would be like kicking a child in the face. It's probably their weakest album so far...but...this album is still really enjoyable. Dragonforce just prove that it's still possible to make people have a good time with music. It is an art form...but music can also be enjoyable too. And Dragonforce have proven that.

7.3/10