I understand DragonForce’s lyrics are downright abysmal. They are the lyrical equivalent of Taco Bell: throw in a little fire here, maybe some steel here, possibly a dark winter (moonlight?) there and wrap it up in a cheese-dick story of some knight’s army racing towards salvation… and you have the basic formula of a DragonForce song. Having said that, ZP Theart’s voice has never sounded more angelic. He carries the notes and sells the emotional journey that unfolds over the course of the record. Also, DragonForce has apparently bought a proper mic with their Activision checks. Word on the street is that the previous records were recorded using this:

Ultra Beatdown is Frederic Leclercq’s debut with the band. Leclercq, of Maladaptive semi-fame, accents Totman and Li’s whailing axes very nicely. I anticipate he will take the band to the next level. Herman Li does what Herman Li does best: he rips the guitar a new asshole, and leaves your ears bleeding. While there is an eerie lack of trademark pull-offs and hammer-ons, nevertheless there is something for every metalhead in this record- whether you like speed, 80s style ballads, or melodies chock full of power chords.

Once again, DragonForce has pushed the limits of speed power metal in what has become commonplace with their studio albums. While Herman Li has expressed that they will not claim this album is “faster and heavier,” I contend that it is right up their with any of their gut-wretching, adrenaline fueled tracks in their previous albums. Here’s a preview, The Last Journey Home:

If this is what an Ultra Beatdown is like, you can kick my ass any day.

Ultra Beatdown
Available August 26, 2008
Roadrunner Records 

1. Heroes Of Our Time
2. The Fire Still Burns
3. Reasons To Live
4. Heartbreak Armageddon
5. The Last Journey Home
6. A Flame For Freedom
7. Inside The Winter Storm
8. The Warrior Inside
9. Strike of the Ninja (Bonus Track)
10. Scars of Yesterday (Bonus Track)