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Ultra Beatdown
by DragonForce

DragonForce reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 77 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.0 out of 10
based on 8 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 26 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The metal band releases its first album with Frederic Leclercq on bass.

LABEL: Roadrunner
RELEASE DATE: 26 August 2008
DISCS: 1 disc
GENRE(S): Rock, Metal

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90
All Music Guide
Power metal may not be the most inventive musical style on the planet, but Dragonforce are making it more exciting than most anyone else has for quite some time.
Read Full Review
90
Alternative Press
Ultra Beatdown is a relentless explosion of power metal serving as a superb master class for fledgling shredders on any instrument. [Sep 2008, p.152] [Sep 208, p.152]
80
Billboard
Those in the know can attest DF is merely coming into its own after years on the touring circuit.
Read Full Review
80
NOW Magazine
More importantly, though, the songs still totally fucking rock.
Read Full Review
70
PopMatters
Ultra Beatdown ultimately delivers what the band promises, which is all the fans can ask for.
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67
The Onion (A.V. Club)
True, the lyrics (nearly all of which offer some variation on a battle/victory cliché) are borderline brain-dead, the musicianship is all slippery soullessness, and the production is so oppressive that the instruments might as well be synthesized. But in a subgenre where understatement matters less than showing one's might, these could just as well be merits.
Read Full Review
60
Uncut
A grandiose power metal pomposity that marshals such gusts of keyboard and flowery, Yngwie Malmsteen guitar duelling it basically feels like a climax strung out over 60 minutes; epic in short bursts, slightly tiring in the long haul. [Nov 2008, p.92]
40
Sputnikmusic
Ultra Beatdown features the same guitar riffing, theatric singing and the rest of that stuff that doesn’t matter in regards to Dragonforce.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Justin S. gave it an8:
Although Power/Fantasy metal is on the downside of originality, Dragonforce's new release is an improvement on their original content, and is a huge improvement over their last album, inhuman rampage. Their songs are more diverse, and the guitar playing is never overdone. I consider them incredible, but there is more potem=ntial to be had on the diverse side of things. I think this album is attempting to follow in that direction.

Hawkins ScreaminJay gave it a0:
Really, how could anyone like this.

[Anonymous] gave it an8:
Their music is similar to other albums but they have improved in over all production quality. They offer something entirely different from all other metal an uplifting and actual musical quality. They can sing unlike most bands today not just growl into a microphone.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Ultra Beatdown is their best album so far. Now speed is not the main goal but serves the power and the quality of the songs. And the mid-tempo parts of the most songs approve they can write inspired and diverse music that we have never listen again from any other group. This disk is a masterpiece that every metal-fan should listen just to have the experience of it. A disk that opens a gate to the future of metal. (Don't miss to listen the E.P.M. bonus track).

Fernando gave it a10:
Worth the wait.

Sam J. gave it a5:
Guys... this isn't a power metal album. not really. its more like a super-synthasized speed metal album. examples of good POWER metal bands would be hammerfall, blind guardian, freedom call, helloween or ride the sky. this album is good music, but its just too similar to their previous work, especially inhuman rampage. if you are a die-hard fan, or haven't heard much of dragonforce, you will enjoy it. if you are just a casual fan, like me. you will play it, enjoy it, but ultimately forget about it. i recommend borrowing it off a mate, rather then buying it. if you'd rather download it, because your to cheap to buy it, you suck.

[Anonymous] gave it a0:
Dragonforce is d!ck wagging put to music- boring boring boring pissing contest with the solos pretty much all the time. i don't understand how people can think that this is creative or original, or even better than their old stuff.

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