[Metal] Dragon Force - Glasgow Cathouse, 30/9/4

Dragon Force
Glasgow Cathouse, 30/9/4 A sold out Cathouse provides evidence that ‘if you book them they will come’; the growing interest in power metal coupled with the lack of European bands willing to make the short trip across the channel makes any power metal show in these parts an event. As a result, long before doors are even open, a queue stretches far off into the distance.

With the venue packed by the time local metallers Mendeed take the stage, the openers have an excellent opportunity to win over many new fans. Despite playing with a conviction and urgency that was lacking when they supported Anthrax eighteen months ago, their material - sounding somewhere between Shadows Fall and The Haunted - is possibly too harsh for the majority here, and thus they fail to garner the reaction they deserve. A strong and convincing performance but possibly an ill-advised choice of support for as melodic an outfit as Dragon Force.

As Dragon Force appear they are greeted by both the horns symbol and a selection of toy weaponry. The band are perfectly comfortable and aware of the comedy value in their lyrics and don’t take themselves too seriously - which is vital when you’re as preposterously heavy metal as Dragon Force. Too many European bands fall into the trap of taking their sword and sorcery themes too seriously and can’t understand why many metal fans regard them with amusement.

Dragon Force rip through their brand of ‘extreme power metal’ with a smile never leaving their face - they’re out there enjoying themselves, and while they aren’t the tight, well-oiled machine that the established bands (such as Iron Maiden) they model themselves on are, their infectious enthusiasm more than makes up for it. They display a surprising maturity in the pacing of their set, giving the capacity crowd time to catch their breath between extreme power assaults by interjecting a keyboard and drum solos at the right times, and the semi-ballad tracks such as ‘Starfire’ offer a chance for sing-alongs, which are impossible on lightning-paced numbers like ‘Fury of the Storm’. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman's solos are just as fast live as on their recent album ‘Sonic Firestorm’ and show a far greater originality than the Dave Murray/Kai Hansen tributes of the first album. Closing with ‘Valley of the Damned’ and ‘Heart of a Dragon’ from their “catchier” first album is an inspired choice, sending the crowd home happy and hoarse.

A thoroughly enjoyable metal show that shows there is a demand for power metal in Glasgow; hopefully this sell-out and hugely enjoyable show will send a message to other promoters to bring across some of Europe’s finest. Until that happens a lasting memory of Dragon Force tearing up the Cathouse will have to do. Hail!

www.dragonforce.com

[Adam Rosa]

Only because Dragonforce are the most hyped up piece of shite this side of the English channel. Average second grade wank

[Murray]

great gig. good review also, hopefully we get more poer metal bands playing up here in the future.

[Nuff]

Good gig and a good review.

[Thunderkiss]

yeh they played amazing, full of energy as usual and so friendly.... the wee guys standing infront of me tho, hard not to laugh at them with their wee toys bangin about. One of them looked like harry potter trying to cast a spell on the band.

[Joe Spinebuster]

Despite his limited metal knowledge (), Rosa is actually correct on this one.
I mean, DragonForce aren't THAT bad in my opinion, but they just maybe shouldn't be taken quite as seriously as some people do seem to take 'em. They're just a "power metal" version of The Darkness.

[The Continental]

That's more like 3 Inches of Blood.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah! GO!

[Murray]

Originally Posted by Lev

They're just a "power metal" version of The Darkness.

eh.........naw

[Joe Spinebuster]

How no'?

[Dravious]

cos theyre no

[Largest of Als]

They're ugly enough to be tho'


Al

[Largest of Als]

See?.......ugly!

[Skin]

i thought they were fuckin rockin, sound was crap though, and their drummer was one of the most dissapointing players ever, think there's been a whole lot of fixing on the albums. kings of posing however

[Thunderkiss]

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

See?.......ugly!

he was soo wasted tho, surpirsed he could even play

[Elite]

are those bangles i see?