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"Extreme Power Metal" you say? Multi-national shred freaks? Inhuman Rampage sounds like Europe, Bon Jovi, and Yngwie Malmsteen crashed into the current era's production cues, speed, and virtuosity -- with a dash of Rush. This is Power Metal, no doubt about it, but faster than hell. Where Primal Fear's great Seven Seals was unquestionably Power Metal, too, there was a certain level of darkness or perhaps malevolence involved there. DragonForce's latest is instead imbued with an upbeat enthusiasm showing the relative newcomers to have not been jaded by the music industry. Yet. One of Roadrunner Records' newer and bigger signings (along with Hatebreed and Megadeth), DragonForce largely do not disappoint on Inhuman Rampage, an album that looks forward not quite as much as it looks back.
Extensive exposure on Ozzfest '06 should win them plenty of new fans, too, as their brand of technical excellence can't help but make even the most close-minded of Metalheads smile in approval, even with lyrical themes more akin to those from the 80s, other European Power Metal bands, and even Hair Metal bands. Listen for a recycled splash of Guns 'n' Roses' "Paradise City" drumbeat with ~40 seconds left in "Storming the Burning Fields" and elsewhere for sounds that invoke video games and DJ scratching -- reportedly made solely by guitar, folks. Otherwise, the 8 songs offered here average 7 minutes in length and have plenty of lead guitars thrown around for good measure. Plenty! The album can get a bit "samey" sounding from song to song but the quality is at a very high level, even on the closing ballad which recalls everything from Stevie Nicks to Motley Crue.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Through The Fire And Flames |
| 2. Revolution Deathsquad |
| 3. Storming The Burning Fields |
| 4. Operation Ground And Pound |
| 5. Body Breakdown |
| 6. Cry For Eternity |
| 7. The Flame Of Youth |
| 8. Trail Of Broken Hearts |
: 56.04
| Buy other DragonForce albums |
