Review: Rock Poseurs DRAGONFORCE Revive Metal Cliches

Let the record state: No dragons were harmed during the course of the 90-minute performance, and not a single duel broke out in the Los Angeles crowd. Onstage, however, things were a little less civilized.

DRAGONFORCE was one of the breakout bands on this summer’s Ozzfest, where the U.K. import offered a compelling argument that their meteoric rise to overseas success would be duly shadowed in America. On Friday, however, they delivered a set less indicative of heavy metal heroes METAL CHURCH and more derivative of tongue-in-cheek Los Angeles cover band METAL SKOOL.

There was more Dungeons & Dragons-inspired metal than any fan could have waved an empty scabbard at, but the performance teetered on parody, overplaying every outdated metal cliche that bands like noteworthy opener ALL THAT REMAINS have fought to rise above. It was tough to tell whether laughter was in order, or just more hair-swirling, head-banging and fist-pumping.