Despite, or perhaps because of, its constantly shifting roster of members, British power-metal band DragonForce has always framed its music around guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, whose guitar solos never cease to blow the listener’s mind—and maybe the eardrums as well. And while relying so heavily on the duo has allowed the amorphous band to create a stable sound, such consistency is also largely due to the band’s maturity. As a stand-alone album, this year’s The Power Within is, for all intents and purposes, perfect.
Surprisingly, the LP does not begin with a rampaging guitar solo, as one might expect from the band sometimes that has been called “Bon Jovi on speed.” Instead, album opener “Holding On” witnesses Li and Totman building up momentum to a comparatively subdued series of guitar riffs. The track also introduces new lead singer Marc Hudson, whose slightly mellow voice shines above the breakneck pace of the drums, hopefully winning over fans concerned about former singer ZP Theart’s departure from the band.
The introduction is short-lived, as DragonForce quickly launches into its signature solos and formulaic but effective song structure on “Fallen World” and “Give Me the Night.” These tracks maintain a respectable loyalty and commitment to the band’s origins without appearing unnecessarily derivative—no old melodies find themselves recycled into the newest album.
The Power Within also occasionally branches off into a more experimental realm, which sacrifices speed in favor of style. “Wings of Liberty,” for instance, begins with a Styx-like vocal and piano introduction and builds into a heavy drum-driven gallop that occasionally smoothly interfaces with a classic rock-style guitar solo. The acoustic version of the album’s “Seasons” is another gem: Hudson’s smooth voice and the band’s superior vocal harmonization combine with acoustic guitar runs à la In Flames. This break from metal puts a rare emphasis on DragonForce’s fantasy-themed, hope-against-all-odds lyrics. But no DragonForce song is complete without some manner of guitar showmanship—the vocals in the acoustic “Seasons” soon melt into a classical guitar solo whose pure elegance rivals the speed of any of the band’s past works.
The more things change, the more DragonForce stays the same. The Power Within proves that no switch up of members or experimentation can curtail the virtuosity if the group—as long as Li and Totman keep shredding, DragonForce will live on.
Voice’s Choices: “Seasons (Acoustic),” “Wings of Liberty”
