DRAGONFORCE — Ultra Beatdown (review)

DRAGONFORCE — Ultra Beatdown album cover

Album · 2008 · Power Metal

3/5 · 2014-06-15
arcane-beautiful

After releasing their album which would cement them in the annals of metal history, the band decided to follow up their two classic releases with a dip in the experimental pool. Now, the band didn't strive too far away from their sound (this is Dragonforce, they never really change), but there are slight changes in their original plans of songwriting, with some changes in sounds and arrangements.

Musically the band saw a slight departure from their last album. The speed has been toned down a tiny wee bit as heard on previous material with only slight dips in tempo now and then. While I would claim this album to be the band's most experimental release, it still doesn't strive too far from the power metal sound, but it does incorporate some elements of progressive metal and at times black and death metal.

Sadly this would be ZP's last album with the band. I was sad to see him leave the band because what was heard on this album could have been the start of something rather interesting for the bands career. Yes the band are going in a slightly different direction, I do think ZP's voice is one of the most unique in power metal.

The album's opening track “Heroes Of Our Time” is definitely one of the bands most strongest singles to date. Incredibly anthemic in nature, the song has an incredibly catchy chorus with some pretty great multi layered vocals.

One of the album's strongest hooks can be heard on “The Fire Still Burns.” A brilliant chorus with one of ZP's best vocal performances, it soars above many of the tracks on this album.

One of album's most interesting tracks has to be “Reasons To Live.” Instrumentally showing off some insane blast beats and noisy instrumental sections, the song is able to counter act the madness with a pretty melodic and catchy chorus.

One of the album's longest songs and one of the bands biggest achievements has to be “The Last Journey Home.” Full of interesting twists and turns and some pretty smart arrangements, the song is one of Dragonforce's most unique compositions.

Two songs which in my opinion really let the album down are “Heartbreak Armageddon” and “Inside The Winter Storm.” These songs aren't particularly bad, its just that they are pretty much Dragonforce by numbers, and really slow the album down, especially with the experimental feel which is found in most tracks on this album. Pretty forgetful hooks too.

The album's bonus tracks “Strike Of The Ninja” and “Scars Of Yesterday” are actually two of the albums strongest songs. While “Strike Of The Ninja” technically is a cover song from Sam and ZP's side project Shadow Warriors. Short and to the point with a catchy chorus to boot, the song has a lot of staying power that this album badly needed. “Scars Of Yesterday”is probably the bands most experimental track to date, with some riffs tending to move towards black metal territory at times. An interesting listen no doubt.

In conclusion, this does at times put forward and interesting take on the bands sound, but all sounds can become too familiar after a while. Has some decent tunes and in my opinion could have been a brilliant step in the right direction for the band.

6.8/10

Genres: Power Metal, Fist, Speed Metal, Progressive Metal, Experimental Metal

Country of origin: England (with members coming from South Africa, Hong Kong, France and Ukraine)

Year of release: 2008