DragonForce – Warp Speed Warriors
Release Date: 15th March 2024
Label: Napalm Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Power Metal
FFO: Hammerfall, Rhapsody, Gloryhammer, Stratovarius.
Review By: Trina Julian Edwards
Extreme power metal superstars DragonForce are back with their most ambitious full-length album yet, Warp Speed Warriors, releasing Friday, March 15 via Napalm Records. Warp Speed Warriors features founding members and guitar wizards Herman Li and Sam Totman, vocalist Marc Hudson, bassist Alicia Vigil, and drummer Gee Anzalone.
According to press releases, the band explores a wide range of diverse styles, building on the power metal foundation their fans know and love. Can the world’s fastest band continue to live up to its reputation? Let’s find out.
The opening track, Astro Warrior Anthem would certainly indicate they’re up to the challenge. This is one of those tracks that grabs you by the back of the neck and doesn’t let go until it’s good and ready. The synth-y intro sets the stage and builds anticipation for what you absolutely know is coming. Sort of like that slow climb up the first hill of a roller coaster. The speed is absolutely incredible from the first verse on and the solos are nothing less than amazing. My brain almost couldn’t keep up. The harmonizing guitars always give a track a heroic feel, and that’s certainly the case here. Hudson is hitting some just ridiculous highs, adding to the over-the-top experience. I also have to give credit to Vigil and Anzalone for providing a rock-solid foundation that keeps all of that insanity in check. It’s one heck of an opener and sets some high standards for the rest of the album.
Next, we journey to the kingdom of Hyrule with the Zelda-inspired track, and one of my personal favorites, Power of the Triforce. As expected, the band keeps that high energy level going strong — as is proper considering the theme. It’s quick and lively from the get-go with an epic melody and some fantastic moving leads perfect for the wielder of the sword and shield. Hudson sings Link’s praises, illustrating various scenes from the series and emphasizing the prominence of the Master Sword across the lore. You know from the instant you hear the words, “We need a hero in the magical land of Hyrule…” this is going to be fire. Whether you’re a fan of the games or not, it’s catchy as all get-out, and it’s a lot of fun.
DragonForce drop the tempo to focus on a more synth-forward, ballad-y feel on Kingdom of Steel. It has a science fiction war narrative that somehow manages to not be absurd. Hudson’s vocals sell the story and make it believable without getting overly sentimental. This has a huge, sweeping chorus that fits the more pseudo-serious lyrical themes, and the solos are grand and imposing. It’s a slight departure from the previous tracks, but it’s still in keeping with the overarching concept.
I was not prepared for Burning Heart to immediately knock me off my feet while I was still trying to process the last track. The rhythm is speedy but steady, keeping those adrenaline-fueled leads from flying off into space. The synth sounds like it came straight from the early 80s, but it somehow fits with the higher register of the guitars. The dynamics in this track are particularly well done. Although they fly through the verses and the chorus, it’s not all breakneck speed. Vigil has a nice feature here before the guitar solos at the instrumental break, which are impeccable as always.
Space Marine Corp is a bit more laid back when it comes to the overall tempo. It’s still quick, but there are more legato lines, especially on the verses. It’s got plenty of energy, but it doesn’t have the frenetic power of some of the other tracks. It’s a little silly, but it was intended to be, judging from the lyrics. “My atomic blaster is bigger than yours…I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…” It’s another sci-fi war narrative, with suitably military-like chanted vocals in places and a big, catchy chorus.
Prelude to Darkness is a synth-y Tron-like interlude of less than a minute long, but it’s a nice build-up to The Killer Queen, which is one of my favorites on the album. This is not only due to the preposterous speed that I swear just kept getting faster and faster, but because, fittingly, there was some serious Queen energy. From the operatic backing vocals to the Flash Gordon-esque vibes, they flirted with the sort of flamboyant extravagance that Queen effortlessly pulled off in the early 80s. Hudson really shows off his range here, starting lower than usual, but hitting some truly stunning highs. The guitars were superb as always, and the rhythm was tight and precise.
Doomsday Party brings back that 80s synth but this time it brought plenty of 80s rock and roll vibes with it. When Hudson sang, “We do what we’re told and drink our vodka straight…” for some reason, all I could see was Miami Vice. The Miami Vice theme song by Jan Hammer perfectly encapsulates that point in the 80s when technology met rock. I love how this track speaks to that period without going too far in either direction. While it’s sort of a blast from the past with the video game sounds and 80s cop show vibes, DragonForce put their own 2020s spin on it and power metalled it up with those soaring vocals and vibrant solos.
Pixel Prison starts with one of those slower-tempo intros that builds in intensity until the speed picks up with all of the subtlety of a runaway train. And the speed of these verses is astounding. As far as I’m concerned, the faster the better, but this is almost too fast to process. There are some nice dynamics on this track, however, with several slower tempo sections that keep things compelling and direct the focus to the Tron-like narrative. The retro video game sounds and the dramatic backing vocals are some nice touches that give the track some interesting layers.
Sorry to any Swifties reading this, but I listened to as little as possible of the original version of this final track. Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version) (DragonForce’s Version) is definitely catchier than the original, which is a bit too maudlin for me. This was way faster, obviously more guitar-forward, and much more cheerful, despite the rather depressing lyrics. It’s an interesting choice for a cover, but I have no issues with the melody itself, and they certainly made it work for them.
There are also four bonus tracks on Warp Speed Warriors, including versions of Astro Warrior Anthem with Matt Heafy and Nita Strauss, Burning Heart with Alissa White-Gluz, Doomsday Party with Elize Ryd, and an instrumental version of Power of the Triforce.
Overall, if DragonForce, or power metal in general, is your jam, you’re really going to enjoy Warp Speed Warriors. They do not disappoint when it comes to the speed, which is quite literally incredible, so their vaunted reputation as the world’s fastest band is safe. It’s not just fast, though. It’s also damn good. Herman Li and Sam Totman are stellar musicians, and they’re on top of their game. The fact that Vigil and Anzalone can keep all of this manic energy on track is nothing short of amazing. That Hudson can sing over the top of this three-ring circus is just as remarkable.
Maybe it’s not for you, but you cannot deny the skill of these musicians. The topics aren’t serious, but power metal is well-known for its fantastical themes. I don’t know about you, but I appreciate a dose of cheery frivolity now and then. My metal doesn’t always have to be about blood and guts. I’m clearly a power metal fan, and I’m all about speed, so I was inclined to be optimistic about this album to begin with, but this is a solid entry in their catalog with some really fun tracks. Check out Warp Speed Warriors for yourself on March 15.
(4 / 5)
