Dragonforce
29 September 2005
Camden Barfly, London
As part of their Meet The Sonic Firestorm UK tour, tonight marked Dragonforce`s final show at the Camden Barfly, where they had appeared on three consecutive Thursdays.
The choice of intimate venue meant not only was the crowd packed in like sardines, but so were the six piece band on the small stage. As a result, the band`s trademark leaps and running around was reigned in, but with the raised podium centre stage present, posing was not sidelined.
Perhaps the constraints on movement focused more attention on their playing, as my tenth encounter with Dragonforce certainly saw the tightest performance. An additional factor is undoubtedly how many shows the band has played recently and although it`s hard to believe, somehow the band appeared even more confident than usual. Bassist Adrian Lambert in particular seemed to be enjoying a greater share of the limelight, where in the past perhaps his contribution has been overshadowed by the guitar histrionics of Herman Li and Sam Totman.
In a sweltering venue that was a constant drain on your energy, ZP Theart did a great job of keeping the crowd at fever pitch. None more so then when the band launched into Prepare For War and a full scale mosh broke out across much of the venue. The usual plastic weaponry was being brandished at the band, with Sam obtaining a sword and Herman and axe to comically use instead of their picking hands.
Giving the rest of the band a breather, Vadim`s keyboard solo was completely bonkers with an excerpt of Slayer`s South Of Heaven included. As for Dave Mackintosh, I can only say his drumming sounded spot on as I couldn`t actually see him during the set.
Valley Of The Damned closed the set with Li, Totman and Lambert indulging in a guitar triangle and Totman carried through the crowd on somebody`s shoulders. The band head off now to record album number three.
Dragonforce set list:
Black Fire / Fury Of The Storm / Fields Of Despair / Black Winter Night / Dawn Over A New World / Keyboard Solo / Soldiers Of The Wasteland / Prepare For War / Revelations / My Spirit Will Go On / Heart Of A Dragon / Valley Of The Damned
LINKS:
Dragonforce
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