Wait, the joke song from Guitar Hero III is turning 20? What the hell? Yeah, indeed—what better way to kick off 2026 than by making the masses feel old? DragonForce need little introduction for anyone who existed in the 2000s. Born from the remnants of black metal band Demoniac in 1999, British guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman were always the duo at the heart of the band with their “more is more” philosophy in Yngwie style.
Valley of the Damned and Sonic Firestorm had already drawn significant attention, but it’s 2006’s Inhuman Rampage that made the band notorious. Many described their songs as too long, too fast, unsuitable to play live and too random, while at the same time all being the same. And yet, they made their mark in an American market hostile to proper riffs and solos. How was that possible, and why didn’t anyone stop them?
Inhuman Rampage was like DragonForce throwing things at a wall, and somehow they all stuck. However much they’re influenced by the melodic power assault of Stratovarius, the harsh vocals (“Operation Ground and Pound”) and the sheer ferocity point to other roots. The guitar work is undeniably massive as well as eccentrically maximalist, adorned with all sorts of eccentric beep-bloop effects (“Storming the Burning Fields”). Vadim Pruzhanov’s hook-filled keyboards (“Cry for Eternity”) and his songwriting contributions (“Body Breakdown”) are a crucial melodic counterpoint that’s badly missed on the last two albums. Finally, ZP Theart’s vocals are iconic for a reason. While they’re neither the most technically impressive nor very versatile, he has a strong and unique delivery that isn’t divisive like a traditional Kiskean ( Helloween ) wail would be, making this wild wankfest stand out even more among power metal bands. All of the above led to a remarkably consistent record. The album’s deep cuts (“Body Breakdown,” “The Flame of Youth”) are even stronger than the hits, and the amazing Japanese bonus track ” Lost Souls in Endless Time ” was always the true album closer in my opinion.
- Read also: Under – What Happened In Roundwood Review
Inhuman Rampage ended up a massive success, first on its own and then as part of pop culture. By then, the world was finally starting to move past the whole nü and “alternative” phase. Trends are cyclical and DragonForce were in the right place at the right time. The ambitious, complex songwriting and mastery of the guitar solo attracted a wider audience in a way that wouldn’t have been possible 5-10 years earlier. As for the “elephant in the room,” “Through the Fire and Flames” earned legendary status in 2007 as the hardest song in Guitar Hero III to conquer. Consequently, DragonForce became known as the “TtFaF” band, occasionally much to the members’ displeasure. Many have forgotten that they were already popular before Inhuman Rampage, playing shows with Helloween and Iron Maiden before becoming headliners. They appeared in a game because of their popularity, not the other way around. Regardless, the association certainly didn’t hurt and is part of the reason I’m here writing about them today .
But if this was such a big success, why didn’t any other band try to copy DragonForce? There’s no shortage of people who couldn’t match their speed or energy, as proven by grindcore and the like. I think it’s a combination of several conspiratorial factors. First, the second wave of power metal (roughly 1997-2006) was generally at its last peak at the time. Second, no one else had the same deranged set of influences these guys had. Black metal, power metal, AOR, retro games – even if other bands tried, they couldn’t grasp the Inhuman Rampage formula without those roots.
- Read also: Turbo’s Tribunal – Mills of Tribunal Review
Inhuman Rampage remains one of my favorite power metal albums to this day. DragonForce later changed the game, creating more great albums, followed by some minor disappointments, but none caught lightning in a bottle like Inhuman Rampage. And few even tried, because no one on the power metal scene right now sounds like old DragonForce, especially not the band itself. Some are glad they’re leaving that style behind, but I think there’s a missed opportunity here. In a world of Archspire, it’s become absolutely clear that there’s still demand for bands that push the extremes, the limits of reason and taste. Trends are cyclical and nü is raising its ugly head again. Who will make the next Inhuman Rampage?
The review was done by Angry metal guy.
