Review Summary: A great album, that just misses out on classic status because of its samey drumbeats. Listen to the album, then go and watch them make it even better live!
Inhuman Rampage is Dragonforce's third studio album and builds on the huge success they had with Sonic Firestorm and Valley Of The Damned. Compared to the last to albums, Inhuman Rampage combines the classic shredding from Herman Li and Sam Totman with the crushing drumming from Dave Mackintosh. ZP Theart continues with his normal operatic voice and adds some nice if not samey lyrics. The biggest and most noticeable change is the added influence of Vadim Pruzhanov (keys) and Frédéric Leclercq (bass guitar). Vadim takes his brilliant and insane live performances and stamps his mark on Inhuman Rampage taking some brilliant solos and undercurrents in the bridges. He also has a bigger influence on the backing vocals, returning to his black metal roots with a dark scream most noticeable on Revolution Deathsquad and Operation Ground And Pound. Frédéric steps up his incredible skill on bass and storms out of the shadows to enjoy some fret play with Herman Li in Body Breakdown, which is an excellent song showcasing the bands talent.
Herman Li and Sam Totman are the fastest duel guitarists in Britain and they don't let up for a second during Inhuman Rampage. Throughout the course of this album, they mix incredible speed with unbelievably good technique. They slip into tapping with ease and make sweeping a past time as well as deploying they're new musical friend, the Nintendo sound. First noticeable in Through The Fire And Flames, the 'Mario mushroom sound" is implemented and is reintroduced through many of the other songs on the album. This is a very nice and comical effect, but does get a little repetetive as you listen straight through the album.
This is an excellent album that sums up just why Dragonforce are making it so big. The constant fret wankery and instantly recognisable vocals give Dragonforce that edge over other bands, they are by far the best Power Metal band in Britain and they are surely about to take over the world. In fact, maybe they deserve they're own genre: Dragon Metal!
To those that think Dragonforce aren't serious or are straight from the world of Dungeons and Dragons, you couldn't be more wrong, the lyrics accompanying the shredding may be about war and fighting the battles or storming through the burning fields, but isn't this better than singers whining about how bad their lives are? Dragonforce are a refreshing alternative to the punk rock bands being churned out at the moment and its testament to them that they have such a huge following thats expanding day by day during this age of punk rock.
My only problem with Dragonforce is the unoriginal drumbeats, its always the same drumbeat coursing through the veins of every verse. A bit of variety every now and then didn't do anyone any harm! All in all though, that is my only problem with this album.
Song Guide:
1) Through The Fire And Flames (7:18): The opening single from the album and one of the best tracks on the album. The start of the Nintendo sound and fret wankery for the album. An instantly likeable song. The chorus features memorable vocals and the solo breaks are lovely, you'll replay this track over and over. (5/5)
2) Revolution Deathsquad (7:51): A very decent second song on the album, featuring the return of Dragonforce's black metal roots in the backing vocals. "fight for the truth and the freedom GLORIA!". Typical Herman Li for the solo shred. (4.5/5)
3) Storming The Burning Fields (5:16): Shortest track on the album packs a lot of punch and speed. Not as memorable as the other songs on the album, but brings a slight alternative. Slightly unusual bridges and not the best solos on the album make this one of my least favourites. (4/5)
4) Operation Ground And Pound (7:42): My favourite track on the album and the second single. Glorious intro lets you know just what your in for, this is definitely an epic song. Makes stylish contrasts and the duel guitars really stand out here. The song is perfectly structured and the vocals are very powerful. You'll find yourself torn between singing and humming the guitar part! Vadim is influentual on the keys and the whole song works incredibly well. Very fast shredded solos make this stand out even more. A triumph for Dragonforce. (5/5)
5) Body Breakdown (6:57): A nice alternative intro and features a lovely bass/guitar/keys duel. Dipping in and out of different time signatures and different speeds, this song is technically sound. Lovely contrasts. Bass lovers listen to the bass bridges on this track! "feel the breakdown of my body" (5/5)
6) Cry For Eternity (8:10): The longest track on the album and another one of my favourites. ZP Theart really excels with the vocals in this song, his powerful voice ringing as he hits the top notes in catchy vocal hooks. Excellent guitar work by Herman Li and Sam Totman this song is so catchy and drives through the 8 minutes, these riffs some of the catchiest on the album. All round great song. (5/5)
7) The Flame Of Youth (6:39): My least favourite on the album although still a very good song, don't completely write it off. A pretty triumphant song. Not the best chorus, the guitar work however saves this song. (4/5)
8) Trail Of Broken Hearts (5:55): An excellent end to the album, the ballad song of the album. Beautifully constructed and shows the tender side of Dragonforce. Just when you thought they couldn't do a slow song they pull one out thats as good as the fast songs on the album. (4.5/5)
If you got yourself a japanese copy of the album then you're lucky enough to experience the bonus track: Lost Souls In Endless Time (6:22). Not they're best song, but for a bonus track its a nice extra.
