Dragonforce preview

Dragonforce
Metro, Chicago
Saturday, May 6, 2006

It takes a certain level of proficiency to be a U.K. metal band and sound continental. By gum, Dragonforce are at that level.

Forget Dragonforce are behind the times: cramming as many notes as possible into their seven-minute epics and making Dream Theater sound downright minimalist on their third album, Inhuman Rampage (Roadrunner). Their name is of the ridiculous D&D variety even Ronnie James Dio won’t go near anymore, one of the members is photographed in jeans and a jacket with no shirt underneath, and song titles include “Cry For Eternity” and “The Flame Of Youth.” Irony and Dragonforce, if they are to coexist, must do so on opposite ends of the galaxy.

If you at all worship Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Helloween, Europe, Queensrÿche, Yngwie, and hyperspeed guitar solos over galloping rhythms, get thee to Metro. Don’t even think about it. Just do it. Dragonforce are huge in Asia, and odds are they think Spinal Tap is real. Help them “crush the legions of the twilight.”

Protest The Hero and Sanctity open.

— Steve Forstneger

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly