Dragonforce - The Power Within is a speed metal CD featuring 9 original songs, 1 alternative version of one, and great speed guitar work. There are two versions of the album, one with 10 songs and a Special Edition version with 13. Expect to pay about $1 a song for either, buying them as an album. I have the 13 song one, and in purchased MP3 format, but I'm just going to review it as the 10 song CD. The other 3 songs aren't worth mentioning - two are alternative versions of songs already on the 10 song CD, and one is purely instrumental. So, I don't feel the need to review them - it's up to you whether you want to spend $2-$3 more on a Special Edition if available. And sure, I appreciate a good alternative version or instrumental song, but there's only so much I can say about these.
01 "Holding On"
This is a positively epic first song. It contains a loveable tune.
02 "Fallen World"
This song contains some great sounds. The vocals are a bit lacking but the instrumental work is fantastic.
03 "Cry Thunder"
This song screams catchiness. Unfortunately, the vocals are a bit mixed, being catchy one moment and sounding in my opinion, rather ugly the next.
04 "Give Me The Night"
A good song held back by medicore vocals. As a bonus though, there is a short sample of creepy horror-sounding music between the middle and end of the song, which was good.
05 "Wings of Liberty"
Starts out slow and turns into a medium speed, upbeat song. This is the longest song on the album, lasting 7:20.
06 "Seasons"
A decent, solid track.
07 "Heart Of The Storm"
An epic track that sounds movie-ish the first half and like video game music the second.
08 "Die By The Sword"
A catchy yet average track. At this point, it feels like I'm listening to the same song over and over. At least it gets interesting the second half of the song. In fact, the second half of the song is beautiful, which makes up for the mediocre first half.
09 "Last Man Stands"
An underwhelming track. However, it makes a good ending type track.
10 "Seasons" (Acoustic Version)
Do I have to review the same song again?
11-13 Bonus Tracks (Special Edition exclusive. 2 you've already heard on the album in an alternative version, and an instrumental song.)
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Okay so if you don't mind generic sounding rock, which this sounds like even though it's speed metal, and don't mind an album full of songs which pretty much sound alike, this is a great album.
My score: 8.0/10
It really isn't a bad album. It does some things wrong and some things right, like a lot of albums out there. It isn't my cup of tea since it's too fast to contain harmony and also not very powerful or funky enough for me. But a lot of albums I listen to have about 3 good songs on them and this has maybe 5, so that's a plus.