Fast doesn’t do it justice.

For those familiar with DragonForce’s previous releases, you know what you’re in for and the boys from London don’t disappoint on "Ultra Beatdown." But if you’re a newcomer to the world of what’s been dubbed “Nintendo Metal,” brace yourself for the irresistibly epic vocals, keyboard-laden ambience and absolutely blazing guitar solos the band has become known for. (Think Journey meets speed metal.)

"Ultra Beatdown" is a perfect followup to 2006’s "Inhuman Rampage," DragonForce’s first album with bassist Frédéric Lecler. Expert musicianship, fantasy-themed lyrics and a lack of growling set DragonForce apart from a lot of the other metal bands out there, not to mention the family-friendly content of the record.

Like "Inhuman Rampage," DragonForce’s newest effort is more polished than the band’s earlier releases, but the eight-track disc (most of the songs are in the seven-minute range) packs as big of a punch (or is that beatdown?) as just about anything else out there. 

Oh, yeah, and did I mention it’s fast?

Sussex Countian