Customer Reviews

Valley of Damned

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you are searching for a metal band who will make you feel uplifted and full of an undescribable "epic joy" then I can recommend two bands (as well as many others, but they are slightly less amazing):

Rhapsody (www.mightyrhapsody.com)
and ... Dragonforce!

Dragonforce's "Valley of the Damned" will have those of you who love "Lord of the Rings" (JRR Tolkien) as well as fast, powerful, epic metal, in a trance.

You will listen to this album and sometime next year you will finally turn it off. It's just that good.

So anyone searching for a real piece of EPICNESS should be shot if they didn't check out Dragonforce's "Valley of the Damned", as well as Rhapsody (notably their album "Tales from the Emerald Sword Saga").

Dragonforce's other album "Sonic Firestorm" keeps with the epic sound, but incorporates much more speed and technical ability, so if you enjoy speed metal, go for that instead.

Or... GET BOTH! And fly, you fools!

Considering that Dragonforce are about to fling a new slab of breakneck-paced melodic metal at the world, I figured it was high time I put down my thoughts on the debut, after having a year to take it in. Obviously, the most striking feature is their sheer speed, matching the velocity of most thrash bands, but infusing it with a keen melodic sensibility. These choruses are some of the catchiest I have ever heard. The production is very top heavy; a little scratchy on the ears at high volumes, but I suspect that the material translates well into a live setting. The guitar solos shred so hotly I'm surprised Herman Li's guitars don't burst into flame; but, they can be over the top with the flash and pomp. They can write some great hooks, but the songs are not varied enough to make this a truly special experience; it holds on for a long time provided you don't listen to it too much so that it stays fresh. If they can exert more range in their tempos and dynamics in the future, they could easily top this respectable, but not great, debut full length. I've got my fingers crossed.

I don't think this world has yet seen a faster band....... At least in power metal. First off, I want to state that this band sounds a bit like Rhapsody + Lost Horizon. Valley of the Damned reminds me more or Lost Horizon's first album - Awakening the World. And boy did that CD ever "awaken the world"! There are next to no keyboards on this album (Valley). Many of the songs are about 6:15 long, but the first track is the shortest I've ever heard at 0:13. You are getting your money's worth for 9 tracks. The title track is a wonder - one of a couple over 7 minutes. Revelations was released as a demo when the band's name was Dragon Heart. That song is also pretty good. Every song except for thae ballad, Starfire, is hyper speed. By that I mean about the speed of Father Time by Stratovarius. Imagine the speed of Rhapsody's fastest songs and Skylark's fastest songs with an even faster bass. That's how fast this band plays!

So how good actually are these 8 songs? I love 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9. Revelations isn't as good as these, in my opinion. Starfire is so hard to get into because its so much slower than the other songs! I'd say that its an okay ballad. Track 8 is like Starfire in quality.

I don't think the production for this album is that great, but the writing talent makes up for it. Think of how we still love Images in Worlds by Dream Theater (is that what its called? Can't remember.......). Its because of how good it is - not the production. I would recommend Dragonforce to about anybody. There aren't any bands who sound like Dragonforce. Some power metal bands I've heard include Hammerfall, Helloween, Brainstorm, Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, Primal Fear, Sinergy, Manowar, and Falconer, to name a few. Nobody sounds like Dragonforce.

When you get the time, go read some of my other reviews and say if they helped you or not.

DragonForce's 2003 release Valley of the Damned is an album for music fans who just cannot relate to the primordial screams and inhuman growls that characterize modern metal. Purists, have no fear. There are still relentless double bass drum riffs, pounding basslines, and an unstoppable wall of guitars. However, the six-piece DragonForce is fronted by the sweet, melodic voice of ZP Theart, who sings anthems of positivism and overcoming obstacles. In the midst of dueling guitars and unfathomably fast drumming is his voice of hope, and some melodious keyboard playing as well. The album, though only nine tracks, is over fifty minutes long - a testament to the anthemic nature of the music. The album starts abruptly, fast and furious for a good twenty minutes. Just as Theart's voice cuts through the rest of the noise, one song stands out as different from the others. The album's fifth track, Starfire, is a power ballad more suited to an 80's rock and roll band than to a post-Y2K power metal act. The rest of the album picks up where the fourth track left off, and does not slow down. The sheer speed of the music is overwhelming. As far as production goes, this album is clearly the band's debut. The instrumentals can be a little muddy at times, and the vocals sound much cleaner in the band's more recent work. However, the sheer talent and intensity of the band definitely shine through. If you enjoy this album, check out their newer albums, Sonic Firestorm and Inhuman Rampage for more!

My friend just gave me this CD and its just great. Simply, its flat-out fun--energetic and extremely fast power metal. I do have to admit that the majority of the songs on this album do at least sound similar. But I do not believe that every song is the same. Though there are definitely trends going on throughout the album, Dragonforce puts more variety in this album than do 90% of most contemporary heavy-metal bands. For instance, on the song Disciples of Babylon, one of my personal favorites, there is a very melodic acoustic section with a piano solo in it. I want to mention that these guys have huge amounts of talent. The two guitarists are extraordinarily precise, virtuosos in their own right, and make for an excellent combo. They can shred as fast as some of the shredding greats and nearly live up to their influences, Adrian Smith and Dave Murray of Iron Maiden. The drumming is superb and the drummer has much more potential than a normal heavy-metal drummer. The bass, though it doesn't stand out as much, definitely is talented and does a good job at keeping the songs up at the pace they are going at. The vocalist is actually pretty talented, making these songs as fun as they are. And the keyboardist, who I heard is more prominent on later albums, is also a talent as well. The highlights on this album include the title track, Disciples of Babylon, Revelations, and Evening Star, but there isn't really a weak track on this album. It's not perfect, more like 4.5 stars, but definitely reccomended.

I will be honest. I bought this album as a joke. Their name, the d&d-themed lyrics, and thier look seemed completely irrasistable for a good laugh. I laughed a lot...and then the laughter stopped. Why? Because this is the fastestest, most musically talented metal band EVER, thats why. Herman Li is an incredible guitarist. More than incredible, he is a god of his art. And that's not to say the rest of the band is chopped liver. They all rock. I've actually come to love the cheesy lyrics, and I often sing along. I listen to this album every day, and so should everyone, as far as I'm concerned. Buy it. Love it.

The musical techniques, tempos and time signitures on this album are just phonominal. They are out of this world music. Even though the tempo may be at about 220, they do not hesitate but push that tempo to the limit by playing sixteenths on their guitars and drums. The music is very well written, and even though you will constintly have guitars blasting and drums pounding, it isn't like some death metal bands out there who play random notes and have a singer who sounds like he is constipated with rabid weasles attached to his armpits while his head is on fire. It is completly different. The music is modern, fits nicley in the Power Metal genere, but also has a singer who is a tenor, with a wide range and also brings an 80's feel to the music. It is great music, and I recommend it to all rock lovers out there, no matter what genere of rock you like the best.

I love these guys. Recently discovered, I've got all 3 albums. Valley of the Damned is my favorite, and gets better with each listen. These guys are so fast it's almost unbelieveable, but don't let that fool you, it's very creative music and very catchy. If you love speed metal with a medival feel you'll really dig these guys.

Having already owned and listened to the original version of this album, I must say I am very pleased with this reissue. The songs are 'remixed and remastered.' Whereas the original album had a relatively poor production quality compared to their recent works, EVERYTHING sounds better this time around. The instrumentals and vocals sound great - crisp and clear, no static or bumps like the original. Highly recommended for fans of DragonForce and power metal in general.

They describe their sound "as a mix of modern melodic power metal with the fury of speed metal...Catchy melodies that stick straight into your head, combined with outrageous speed, power and totally over the top dual guitar wizardry...enough hooks to fill an ocean, enough technical process to satisfy progressive metal lovers, guitar solos to have you playing air guitar. ...catchy melodies and the strong voice of an outstanding metal shouter."

The description brought a smile to my face. "This image with the `all metal' black leather and well styled flowing locks (sadly I note no Vidal Sassoon hair products sponsorship) is to good to be true", I thought to myself.

Being an old closet `power metal' fan with forefathers `Manowar' and the likes of `Hammerfall' rating us a couple of my favourite acts, I ordered a copy of their debut release `Valley of the Damned'.

As you weave your way through the intro `Invocation of Apocalyptic Evil' it's a clear you've entered the realms of true power metal. Strap on the suit of armour people your in for a full frontal assault! Sam Totman (English/Kiwi) and Herman Li's (Hong Kong) guitar combination, speed through this multicultural army's debut release with melodic precision. The drumming of Frenchman Didier Almouzni and bass genius of ex member Diccon Harper (it's going to take big feet to fill these shoes!) compliment the keyboard work of Ukranian Vadim Pruzhanov perfectly. Last but not least the vocal range and power of South African ZP Theart is comparable to the best screamers out there. As you are pile driven through classics like `Black Winter Night', `Evening Star' and finally dismounting at `Heart of the Dragon' I am left nodding in agreement, the description in their biography is no exaggeration. The smile on my face is no longer one of cynicism but one of satisfaction and approval!

If there's any constructive criticism I have to say that the vocals sit too far back in the mix and the price is a little dear for only 8 tracks, not counting the intro.
All in all this is a release to get your hands on and an act to watch out for.

"HAIL DRAGONFORCE HAIL!"