Band

Known as the fastest band in the world, Grammy-nominated extreme power metal band DragonForce is based in London, England. Their platinum-selling record, Through the Fire and Flames, brought them international acclaim and was featured as the most-challenging song on Guitar Hero III. Their energetic and humorous live performances have won them fans on every continent.

The group is known for their long, complex and fast guitar solos performed by Herman Li and Sam Totman, who founded the band after meeting through a classified ad in 1999. Since then, the band has released seven studio albums, including Valley of the Damned (2003), Sonic Firestorm (2004), Inhuman Rampage (2006), Ultra Beatdown (2008), The Power Within (2012), Maximum Overload (2014), and Reaching into Infinity (2017). Drawing from a wide range of influences, the band’s sound combines the sing-a-long choruses of classic 80’s rock with triumphant, uplifting melodies and fantasy-themed power-metal-inspired lyrics. As a nod to their passion for all things video-game related, the band frequently incorporates retro game sounds and melodies into their recordings and live shows.

DragonForce‘s new album, Extreme Power Metal, will be released on September 27th, 2019. The album was produced in Los Angeles, California by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited. The band also recorded parts of the album on Herman Li’s livestream channel on Twitch (www.twitch.tv/hermanli) with participation from the fans. Li says, “This album again combines the best of DragonForce in an even bigger, more epic way than we have ever done before. We are so excited for fans to hear it!” The keyboards of this new album was performed by Coen Janssen of symphonic metal titan Epica, bringing a new dimension into a DragonForce album. Totman says, “We worked really closely with Coen on this new album. We are so happy with what he has brought into this new album. Every fan will be so happy to hear his majestic playing!”

DragonForce will also begin a world tour right after the release of Extreme Power Metal. Li promises, “In this age, where our music is easily accessible, I am not going to waste time trying to describe the sound of our new album. I’ll let the music do the talking! However, what I can tell you is, our upcoming tour will be our biggest in a decade. We have a massive epic production and a really special surprise for VIPs. We can’t wait to see everyone out on the road!”

Extreme Power Metal track-listing

1. Highway to Oblivion
2. Cosmic Power of the Infinite Shred Machine
3. The Last Dragonborn
4. Heart Demolition
5. Troopers of the Stars
6. Razorblade Meltdown
7. Strangers
8. In a Skyforged Dream
9. Remembrance Day
10. My Heart Will Go On

#dragonforce #extremepowermetal

Born in Hong Kong, Herman Li (Chinese: 李康敏) is the guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the Grammy-nominated metal act DragonForce.

In the last 15 years, Herman has established himself as one of the most recognised and influential guitarists of his generation. He is a two-time winner of the Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods ‘Best Shredder’ award and has topped four categories in Guitar World’s Readers Poll. Outside of DragonForce, Herman has performed with guitar legends Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Tony MacAlpine, and Paul Gilbert, among others.

Herman believes that to improve as a guitar player, it is important to understand the instrument as much as possible. To that end, Herman has worked to develop innovations for his EGEN signature guitar series, which was released in 2008 to 2019. He is currently working with on a new innovative guitar unlike any other out there. Herman is also interested in inspiring and coaching the next generation of guitar players and has contributed guitar lessons to publications such as Young Guitar (Japan), Total Guitar (UK), and Premier Guitar (USA).

Outside of music, Herman’s interests include computer technology, martial arts and Porsche racing. He is fluent in Chinese, French, and English.

Born in England and raised in New Zealand, Sam Totman started his formal training in classical guitar at only 9 years old. Equally-versed in rhythm and lead guitar, his ability as a player complements his remarkable skill at writing catchy and uplifting songs. Sam has won numerous readers polls and awards for his guitar abilities. As the primary songwriter for DragonForce, Sam is responsible for the songs you can’t get out of your head (for better or worse!).

Outside of DragonForce, Sam is mostly interested in binge drinking and playing pinball. His signature stage move is drinking beer (hands-free) while playing guitar.

Oxford-born Marc Hudson began his journey as a vocalist at age 16, after years of playing guitar, when the overwhelming urge to sing forced him to focus on what he loved most. Known by former bandmates as “Mr. Scream”, he has been singing and playing guitar in various metal and rock bands since 2003. As his love of power metal and progressive music has developed, so has his voice.

Taking influence from Michael Kiske and James Labrie, Marc has worked to develop a unique style of powerful, melodic singing. Key to Marc’s success has been rigorous practice and determination. Marc hopes to put his vocal style to good use in writing the next chapter of Dragonforce’s story. “Things are only going to get better and better,” he says. “I find new ways to improve my voice every day. The DragonForce fans haven’t seen anything yet. I’m just getting warmed up!”

MUSICAL INFLUENCES:
Micheal Kiske, Bruce Dickinson, Sebastian Bach, James Labrie, Ronnie James Dio, Michele Luppi, Roberto Tyranti, Rob Halford, Russel Allen.

Born in Torino, Italy, Gee Anzalone began playing drums at the age of 15. From his first day behind the kit, Gee began learning the art of the double-kick drums. In 2005, after graduating from the NAM Academy in Milano, he became a teacher specializing in rock and metal. Gee has been listening to metal his whole live and has developed a special passion for the genre. He has played with a variety of metal acts such as Braindamage and Kill ritual. Playing in these bands helped him acquire the skill and experience he relies on when performing with DragonForce.

Outside of DragonForce, Gee teaches drumming and music production to students at his academy, Extreme Music Performance Academy.  He is passionate about all aspects of drumming, from extreme drumming to modern techniques. He loves to experiment with technique, and for him, the study of drumming has ‘no limits,’ just like his playing.

Alicia Vigil comments: “So beyond stoked that DragonForce chose me to be a part of this! I can’t wait to travel the world and play these new cities with them and be a part of their legacy!”

DragonForce guitarist Herman Li adds: “Alicia was recommended to me by a number of musician friends in LA. She impressed me with her playing, her professionalism, and her ability to learn the DragonForce songs really quickly! I’m excited to have her playing on this tour and I think the fans will really like what she brings to the show.”