Dragonsfire – Rebirth Of The Beast

Dragonsfire
Rebirth Of The Beast
Label: Metalapolis Records / SPV
Out: August 29^th, 2025
Playing time: 49:25

THE RETURN OF THE HESSIAN METAL LEGENDS

This is how Metalapolis Records headlines the press release for the new album ‘Rebirth Of The Beast’ by Heavy Metal band Dragonsfire from Riedstadt in southern Hesse. Founded twenty years ago, the band released a five-song demo and two studio albums by 2010. After that, things were relatively quiet. Two EPs and a compilation followed later, along with various singles. But the band obviously didn’t break up. In September, fans can look forward to the third studio album. The title alone is a statement: the ‘untamed beast’ is back. Just in time for the band’s twentieth anniversary. From the ‘good old days,’ only founding member and guitarist Matthias Bludau and long-time member (since 2007) and guitarist Timo Rauscher are still with the band.

The Hessen gets off to a flying start with ‘We Ride’. The tempo is fast, as well as from the guitarists and singer Dennis Ohler. They are driven by drummer Elias Bludau. But despite everything, it’s all very melodic. The tempo hardly changes in ‘Speak Of War’. It sounds a little thrashy. But the chorus is melodic again. A strong guitar solo crowns the song. ‘Hungry Beast’ has obviously been re-recorded. This is suggested by the addition of ‘2025 Version’. The original can be heard on the single of the same name from 2021. And the beast has a very dirty laugh, which can be heard at the beginning. And it’s hungry for straightforward Power Metal with high screams. ‘Preacher’ tends towards Speed Metal. Here, too, Elias Bludau sets the rhythmic and tempo accents. The contemplative and ballad-like starting ‘A Portal To Escape’ offers a little time to catch your breath. Dennis Ohler is initially accompanied by acoustic guitars. But it doesn’t stay that way. Later, the song rocks in mid-tempo to high-speed realm. A high scream concludes the song. ‘W.I.T.G.A.G.O.T.O.S.’ is another re-recording of a single, this time from 2023. The meaning of this absolutely cryptic abbreviation can be found in the lyrics of the chorus: ‘Why is the grass always greener on the other side?’. A rhythmic and melodic metal anthem. In ‘80’s Boys (Metal Is A Life)’, the guitars are roaring right from the start. And the bass booms out of the speakers. Dennis Ohler repeatedly swings into the higher registers. The guitarists once again impress with their solo. And things continue lively and fast with ‘Charge Ahead’. Double bass attacks once again ensure a fast tempo. The Metal anthem ‘Don’t Live In Fear’ then slows things down a bit. The constant alternation between anthem and cracker is also featured in ‘Dragons Never Surrender’. We don’t hear any new speed records, but we do hear plenty of metallic heaviness. The bonus track ‘Cider Victims’ dates from 2014 and was released in 2018 on a single together with ‘Back to Battle’ (2016, not on this album). After an anthemic start, this track also gets down to business at high speed.

‘Rebirth Of The Beast’ is straightforward, guitar-driven old school Power Metal that isn’t watered down by sticky keyboards. Dragonsfire are back on the Metal scene with a loud bang. A more than successful comeback. But I don’t want to have to wait another fifteen years for the follow-up.

Dragonsfire – Preacher: https://youtu.be/MBmzeA6Mt7g?si=sCd46BhH9T34iLLt

Lineup:

Dennis Ohler – Vocals
Timo Rauscher – Guitar
Matthias Bludau – Guitar
Peter Schäfer – Bass
Elias Bludau – Drums

Track list:

• We Ride
• Speak Of War
• Hungry Beast (2025)
• Preacher
• A Portal To Escape
• W.I.T.G.A.G.O.T.O.S. (2025)
• 80’s Boys
• Charge Ahead
• Don’t Live In Fear
• Dragons Never Surrender
• Cider Victims – Bonustrack