DragonForce
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| DragonForce | |
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DragonForce in 2007 performing in Melbourne.
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | Power metal |
| Years active | 1999 – present |
| Label(s) | Sanctuary, Noise, Roadrunner, Spinefarm, Universal |
| Associated acts | Demoniac, Power Quest, Shadow Warriors, Biomechanical, Son of Science, Bal-Sagoth |
| Website | dragonforce.com |
| Members | |
| Herman Li Sam Totman ZP Theart Vadim Pruzhanov Dave Mackintosh Frédéric Leclercq |
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| Former members | |
| Adrian Lambert Didier Almouzni Diccon Harper Steve Williams Steve Scott |
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DragonForce is an English Grammy-nominated power metal band formed in 1999 in London. They are known for fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game influenced sound.
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History
DragonForce was formed in 1999 by singer ZP Theart, bassist Steve Scott, guitarists Sam Totman and Herman Li, drummer Didier Almouzni, and keyboardist Steve Williams. Initially the band intended to call themselves "DragonHeart", but found that a band with this same name already existed. They played with Stratovarius and Metal Church in Finland. The band underwent various lineup changes before settling with the six current members. Their song "Through the Fire and Flames" is one of their most famous songs and is featured on the game "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock". The first track and first single, "Heroes of Our Time", from their latest album, Ultra Beatdown, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance on December 3, 2008 [1], and is also featured in the video game Skate 2.[2]. In a concert in Melbourne, Michael Birney covered for Sam Totman as he broke his wrist. On January 22, 2008, the music video for their song "The Last Journey Home" was released to the Xbox Live Community.[3]
DragonForce will carry out the Ultra Beatdown Tour in Latin America in May 2009, performing in Mexico City, Monterrey, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Porto alegre, Curitiba and São Paulo. [4]
Band members
Current members
- ZP Theart - lead vocals (founder)
- Herman Li - lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals (founder)
- Sam Totman - lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals (founder)
- Vadim Pruzhanov - keyboards, backing vocals (2001-present)
- Dave Mackintosh - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004-present)
- Frederic Leclercq - bass guitar, backing vocals (2006-present)
Former members
- Adrian Lambert - bass guitar (2004-2005)
- Didier Almouzni - drums, backing vocals (1999-2003)
- Diccon Harper - bass guitar, backing vocals (2001-2003)
- Steve Williams - keyboards, backing vocals (1999-2000)
- Steve Scott - bass guitar, backing vocals (1999-2000)
Musical Style
DragonForce's musical style includes:
- Emphasis on fast, twin-guitars in speed metal styles, with fast and lengthy solos (over 2 minutes);
- Fast keyboard solos, sometimes dueling with the guitars;
- Fast tempos;
- High pitched style vocal melodies;
- Video game-influenced melodies, noises;
- Lyrics covering topics like journeys, wars, battles, etc;
The band have frequently referred to their style not just as power metal, but as extreme power metal. Herman Li commented on descriptions of the band's style in an interview with Guitar World: "'Nintendo metal', 'extreme power metal', 'Bon Jovi on speed', 'Journey meets Slayer', ... people are always coming up with weird labels for us."[5] The band has often been labelled speed metal[6][7][8] due to the fast tempos present in their songs, but always as a supplement to other types of metal descriptors.
Discography
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Studio albums
- 2003: Valley of the Damned
- 2004: Sonic Firestorm
- 2006: Inhuman Rampage
- 2008: Ultra Beatdown
References
- ^ The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List
- ^ Orry, James (2008-10-23). "Songs included 'reflect the culture of skateboarding'.". VideoGamer.com. http://www.videogamer.com/news/23-10-2008-9742.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-25.
- ^ DragonForce video World premier on Xbox Live
- ^ Mexico, South America Tour Dates Added
- ^ Guitar World, Holiday 2006, pg 72 "Hotter Then Hell"
- ^ http://www.pe.com/entertainment/stories/PE_Ent_Guide_D_soundtracks.204707.html
- ^ Entertainment - Juan Gabriel to play the Pond
- ^ Friday 07/07/06 Ozzfest 2006, Main Stage @ The Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix Arizona - GIGWISE
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: DragonForce |
- Official DragonForce website
- DragonForce at MySpace
- Black Crusade Tour 2007 photos on MusicaMetal
- Artist profile page at Roadrunner Records
- MTV News interview about new album
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