DRAGONFORCE — Valley of the Damned (review)

DRAGONFORCE — Valley of the Damned album cover

Album · 2003 · Power Metal

4/5 · 2014-06-18
arcane-beautiful

For most bands, debut's can be a real hit or miss time. Most bands (especially metal bands) I know really show themselves on their second albums. Now, some bands can get lucky and release a stellar debut album...and then fade into existence.

Dragonforce I believe are very much a band that really propelled with their second album (with Sonic Firestorm being my personal favorite album from these guys). But, I always find that a bands debut for me is like a guilty pleasure, and I must admit...this album is a guilty pleasure. I have to admit, some of the tunes on this album are

Musically and lyrically the band are pretty much what you expect. This is their first album, so their sound hasn't changed too much from there future sounds, but this is the genesis of the band, showing off what they can and can't do. I have read some reviews of this album with people comparing them to Spinal Tap, and I can kind of see why. Dragonforce are a band for fun, and you really don't need to take these guys too seriously.

One criticism I have with the album is the mixing. Now to be honest, as a first try this is pretty decent, but with most Dragonforce albums the vocals are way too low in the mix and the guitars are up way too high, and with this album this statement is exceptionally true.

The opening title track is probably one of my all time favorite Dragonforce songs. Opening with a kick ass riff, the song takes many nice twists and turns. The song is really propelled though by ZP's incredible vocals. Some killer guitar solos in this track too.

One of my personal favorite tracks on the album has to be “Disciples Of Babylon.” Probably one of the most interesting compositions Dragonforce has written, with a bit of a different take on melodies followed by an instrumental section which mixes progressive rock with some jazz fusion and folk rock moments. The track also has a pretty epic chorus to boot.

A Dragonforce album wouldn't be complete without a cheesy power ballad. “Starfire” is a pretty decent ballad for the band, but it is incredibly cheesy. It does break the mood of the album slightly and it is pretty obvious what the band where trying to do, but this is a pretty enjoyable bit of cheese.

The album's final track “Heart Of A Dragon” is very much an official anthem for the band. With a cheesy chorus and some fist pumping multi layered vocals, the song is like the bands theme tune. Don't think this is a major live staple, but I could imagine the band signing off with a song like this.

In conclusion, this album is a pretty brilliant debut. Yes, the band aren't the most serious metal band on the planet, but power metal isn't exactly the most serious genres out there. A great debut with some absolute tunes. This would definitely be up there with my favorite Dragonforce albums.

8.2/10

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

Country of origin: England (With members from South Africa, Hong Kong & Ukraine)

Year of release: 2003