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As a reviewer I listen to a lot of different styles of metal, and while its fun to stretch the boundaries of what I like, sometimes I just need to get back to basics. That means guitar/bass/drum/ballsy vocal straight ahead Heavy Metal. Dragonsfire have heard the call and answered with Metal Service, an album chock full of chunky riffs, thundering drums and gruff vocals. All those elements are wrapped up with huge hooks and catchy choruses and topped with some outstanding lead guitar work.

You need look no further than both the band and album names to know you are in for some cheesy metallic goodness. Dragonsfire isn't looking to fool anyone here. As for the music, a blend of Sabaton and Cryonic Temple (minus most of the keyboards) is as good a starting point as any. Bassist/vocalist Torsten Thassilo Herbert sounds not unlike either of those bands' singers (Joakim Broden and Glen Metal, respectively) but also channels Lemmy on songs like "Visions of Fire" and "Lost Melody." Guitarist Timo Rauscher and Mattias Bludau grace each song with their simple yet perfect for the song solos. Drummer Jan Muller holds the whole thing together superbly. The songs themselves aren't rewriting the formula for Heavy Metal in any way, shape or form, but there are a few standouts like the opener, the speedy, catchy "My Mashed Insane Brain..." and "To Hell and Back" with its Maiden-inspired opening riff. Most of Metal Service is on the faster end of the mid-paced spectrum, with occasional slower parts to the songs, but, mercifully, no ballads were included.

I've been playing Metal Service pretty much non-stop for the last few weeks and it gets better each time. Not the most original, but wonderfully executed, Metal Service belongs in the collections of any fan of Melodic Heavy Metal.