Maximum overload dragonforce album cover

There aren't any four-minute solos or ridiculously drawn-out intros here, thankfully. However, the way everything is presented is very cohesive and digestible compared to previous albums, definitely aided by those shorter song lengths and more focused song structures. More progressive elements are prevalent throughout, like the tempo changes and operatic midsection in 'Three Hammers' or the beautiful neoclassical keyboard introduction to 'Symphony of the Night' (which I'm hoping is a Castlevania reference, by the way). some of those song lengths are even shorter than on The Power Within! It seems like the band are getting even more committed to streamlining their sound when judging by this fact, although the balance between conciseness and ambition is what really stands out. But, after listening to numerous tracks on the album, you might notice something pretty interesting going on. Having Trivium's Matt Heafy performing growls to add to the intensity always helps too, that's for sure. In fact, speaking of speed, opener 'The Game' is actually the band's fastest song to date and takes numerous cues from classic thrash metal. The choruses still have plenty of cheese, the anthemic 'stand your ground and face the world' vibe is still incredibly frequent, and the group's trademark speed continues on. Now, don't get me wrong, the core sound of Maximum Overload is still based on the old Dragonforce we all know and love (and hate). Fortunately, while The Power Within was a very admirable effort to alleviate the band's past inconsistencies, Maximum Overload goes even further and feels like a fresh new chapter in the band's work. Here's why I feel bad about all this: ever since ZP Theart's departure and new singer Marc Hudson's arrival, it seems as though Dragonforce have been trying their best to prove themselves as more than just a group of shredders who got commercially lucky. Some called their music fun and infectious, and many others would decide that the band is composed of a bunch of hacks with abominable levels of guitar 'wankery.' Unfortunately, the latter was usually the more prominent opinion among metalheads when overly long-winded albums like Inhuman Rampage and Ultra Beatdown (gotta love those creative titles) hit the stores. But when the band were thrust into the spotlight with their 2006 tune 'Through the Fire and Flames' and how it became synonymous with Guitar Hero, polarization within the metal community became the ultimate result. Sure, they should have to earn their status in the music world like any other band. In a way, I've felt a little bad for Dragonforce in recent years.

Maximum overload dragonforce album cover