Poll: Why the hate for Dragonforce?

[zen5887]

I can't stand them mainly because I question their actual musical ability. I have a theory that they speed their recordings up, this is based on the fact they play stupidly fast stuff on their recording but fail to follow it up live. People defend this by saying "they are a studio band" which is silly because I believe that its the same thing as a pop singer not being able to sing in tune when they perform live.

Another thing I don't like about them is their fanbase is full of "Oh man, theres guys are amazing, they are so fast! Awesome!" Which is both blind and very foolish. Now I'm not saying just because they are fast they arn't worth it. In fact, I am a massive Dream Theater (who, less face it, are massively wanky) fan but the difference between them and and Dragonforce is Dream Theater do more. Dragonforce will never play in 5/4 over a 4/4 drum beat, they won't throw a ragtime piano solo in the middle of their songs (Man.. I need to listen to Dance of Eternety again..), in fact, all Dragonforce do is really fast and that is all their appeal.

No thanks.

 

[Horned Rat]

Fast does not equal good. Yes they are skilled at hitting random notes really fast but it doesn't make them a good band. They churn out the same song all the time.

Come and talk to me when they release a song with the soul of Children of the Damned (Maiden) or One (Metallica).

 

[Headshot Gamer UK]

I just think they rely too much on super fast metal and should try and even out a little bit?

 

[Harlemura]

They're not that bad. Their stuff's also good for playing at unfitting moments if Yakety Sax gets boring.

 

[Super_Nintendo_Chalmers]

I saw them in Sydney last year, and they were amazing.
To all those who say that they suck live, i beg to differ.

Their music is good, but i suppose it's an acquired taste, but then again, so are most other forms of music.

 

[Enigma Syndrome]

I'm willing to bet that John Myung can play faster than Herman Li, and he's the bassist for Dream Theater. That's saying something.

 

[Valiance]

Where's "Mediocre and there's better power metal out there, and they're so overrated I would normally say bad but I actually kind of like them. I wouldn't listen to them in my spare time, but I can tolerate their songs, and they're sorta funny in a way."

edit: Oh, and pretty much every song is the same sounding. Though they vary a bit lyrically (sort of, though most songs are "We fought this shit and we won" effectively.

 

[Daveman]

I can't really criticise them. Basically I just like other bands much more.

 

[Kurokami]

frankly i find they only have one song with different titles.

(that's right, i think it all sounds the same =/ also relatively corny)

I'll admit i hate it, but i don't have anything against people who do like it so have funz

 

[Oldmanwillow]

Well there music is repetitive.

almost all forms of popular music today is repetitive.

Indy rock (they only know 5 chord)
classic rock (most only know 8 chords) (some exceptions though)
punk rock (3 chords)
rap (not music but poetry (most bad) but not music)
country (3 maybe 4 chords)
metal (usually only use 10 chords in a song)

the difference with metal is most of the time they actually know music theory or are skilled players.

Most others type of music rely solely off the lyric's to convey their point they are trying to achieve in there music. which in my opinion makes it more of a poetry than a form of music. If you want to here truly complex music than you should listen to modern classical/ jazz. There chord make up is very complex and never repetitive. Music unfortunately has lost a lot of complexity over the years because of the change in attitude towards it. In 1700 and 1800 music was something that you went to either dance (which was simpler and considered a lower form of music) or for intellectual music (the operas the symphonies concertos ect) which was meant to show off talent of the composer and the instrumental skill So music got naturally more and more complex.

This trend in music continued ended in the mid 1900's because the music that was entertained because the more discernible form of music in the society. When this shift happened music went form "that was really hard to play" to everyone "should be able preform are music". So in little over a century we went from Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto being popular to green day. (i know this is a really simplified version of what happened but it links to my main point about dragonforce)

I personally like then because they show off there talent. Most popular bands dont do this anymore and its really a shame. There music is a bit repetitive but no less repetitive than any puck rock/ indy rock song. Its just about as repetitive as a bach piece.

They dont take the lyrics seriously, so they are putting more effort into the actually music part of the song not the words. I personally believe that words are the greatest limiter to music. Because its so easy to tell someone if you are happy or sad, its realy hard to make them feel it.

But iam very bias i play bass trombone professionally (and sing in the opera chorus bass) I view my instrument as much harder to play than to sing (i also think it sounds better than the human voice). So i only respect skill in music not words in music.

 

[Warwolt]

They're bad, so repetetive.. Also, the vocal guy sounds like a gay (no offense)

Excuse me but how do you SOUND gay?

 

[teh_gunslinger]

People only know them because of guitar hero. That's why I hate them. Seriously, would you know Dragonforce if it weren't for Guitar Hero???

Personally I knew them before they were in GH. Guess I got one of their albums a couple of years before I played GH at a friends and went: 'Hey, I know them. Lemme try. Perhaps I can do their song better than the damn Slayer one.' For some fucked up reason I actually could.

As for Dragon Force: I don't hate them but I do find then pretty bland and uninteresting. If I want to listen to power metal I'll most likely put on some Hammerfall or Manowar or something entirely different.

I do think that people take Dragon Force to seriously though. They are a stereotype and should be seen as such. I find them to be like a bad action movie: not good by any means but also not bad as such. Goes well with a hangover and a need for mindless entertainment.

 

[Inco]

Lets see, they are ok.
I like songs that are worded well and have meaning behind them.
I also like songs that get better the more you listen and realize the words.
And, i like songs with the main instrument backing these two up.

Unfortunately, Dragonforce are inconsistent with their design of music, slopping words together that dont fit the music. With the words being quite.... cliched. Hence the reason i prefer rise against, meaningful and fitting.
But, of course, i like to have some kind of techno and power metal for thoughtless FPS's or close RTS's (mixed with my traditional mix)

 

[Dudemeister]

I actually like Dragonforce, but than again, I'm a sucker for an insanely fast guitar solo in a song about war.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

*snip*

HELLO? DIO? AXEL RUDI PELL? JOURNEY? (wait, what?) IRON MAIDEN? HELLOWEEN? DREAM THEATER? REMEMBER THESE GUYS? come on people, they rocked! where did the golden years go? it is up to Dragonforce to reclaim those lost years, i wish they would do a much better fucking job about it though.
there are two lead guitarists because their solos are too complex to do alone, Sam and Herman Lee (asian dude with seriously long hair, wtf?), and they both can "shred"

*snip*

Emphasis mine.

I would argue that Iron Maiden still rocks. At least they did last summer when I went to a concert with them again. And it would be silly to claim that DF in any way are up to the standards of Dio and Maiden. And the golden years are called the 80's.
Iron Maiden also have a shit load of guitar players but I think they manage to take advantage of it and make memorable music.

Also: Journey?! For real?

 

[sonicspin]

They're not bad, just overhyped and not as talented as people think they are..,

 

[DragunovHUN]

Dragon this, dragon that, dragons all over the place. I've had enough of them a long time ago. Everyone and everything that has dragon in its name gets automatic hate from me. Fucking dragons.

With that said though, i kind of like the music in question. Sounds a bit like classic metal.

 

[bbjbrat]

I personally dont mind the repetition, like AC/DC, people say their music never changes it always sounds the same. I see that as consistency, theyre good at what they do and it sounds awesome. theres nothing more annoying than a band you used to love trying something new, changing their style a bit and sucking
as for dragonforce, huge amounts of talent there, and their music has an intensity you can feel, that comes through hard and fast. thats a rare quality these days