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{{otheruses4|the band|the Saturn/PlayStation 2 strategy game|Dragon Force}}
dragonforce ROCKS
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = [[Image:DragonForce.png|255px|DragonForce]]
| Img = Dragonforcelive.jpg
| Img_capt = DragonForce in 2007 performing in [[Melbourne]]
| Img_size =
| Landscape = yes
| Background = group_or_band
| Alias = DragonHeart
| Origin = [[London, England]]
| Genre = [[Power metal]]<br>[[Speed metal]]
| Years_active = 1999 – present
| Label = [[Sanctuary Records|Sanctuary]] <br> [[Noise Records|Noise]]<br>[[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]
| Associated_acts = [[Demoniac]]<br>[[Power Quest]]<br>
| URL = [http://dragonforce.com dragonforce.com]
| Current_members = [[ZP Theart]]<br>[[Herman Li]]<br>[[Sam Totman]]<br>[[Vadim Pruzhanov]]<br>[[Dave Mackintosh]] <br>[[Frédéric Leclercq]]
| Past_members = [[Adrian Lambert]]<br>Didier Almouzni<br>Diccon Harper<br>Steve Scott<br>Steve Williams
}}

'''DragonForce''' is a British power metal band formed in [[London]] in [[1999]]. They are known for their fast paced songs, twin guitar solos, and incorporation of "[[video game music|video game]]" sounds into their music.

==History==
DragonForce was formed in 1999 from the remnants of [[black metal]] band [[Demoniac]] under the name of DragonHeart, but soon changed their name to DragonForce before releasing any commercial albums due to possible commercial issues with Brazilian band [[Dragonheart (band)|Dragonheart]]. Their career began with the publishing of their early songs on the first incarnation of [[MP3.com]] claiming the top of the site's [[heavy metal]] charts. The hit song "[[Valley of the Damned]]" reached over 500,000 downloads in the first few months. Two of the original members, Steve Williams and Steve Scott left the band to form [[power metal]] outfit [[Power Quest]].

DragonForce has enjoyed increasing popularity over the years, publishing three albums and touring extensively while supporting [[Helloween]], [[W.A.S.P. (band)|W.A.S.P.]] and [[Iron Maiden]]. Their [[2005]] tour in support of the ''[[Sonic Firestorm]]'' album included support from [[Angra (band)|Angra]] and [[Mendeed]] during their passage through the UK. On October 28, [[2005]] bassist [[Adrian Lambert]] announced his departure from the band in order to focus more time on raising his young son<ref>Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 40 "DragonForce interview"</ref> (Lambert later revealed in an interview that he had left due to musical differences with Herman Li and Sam Totman{{Fact|date=February 2007}}). Less than a month after Lambert's departure, on November 23, 2005, DragonForce was signed to [[Roadrunner Records]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[France]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], who released their most recent effort, ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]'' on January 9, 2006. Lambert was replaced in 2006 by [[Frédéric Leclercq]], who was made an official member after a performance on tour.

A master track of the song "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]" is featured in the [[video game]] ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' and is considered one of the most challenging tracks in the [[Guitar Hero (series)|''Guitar Hero'' series]]<ref>{{cite web | title = The Hardest Guitar Hero Song Ever? | date = [[2007-10-19]] | url = http://consoles.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/14379/The_Hardest_Guitar_Hero_Song_Ever.html | work = GWN.com | last = Saltzman | first = Mitchell | accessdate = 2007-10-19 }}</ref>. The developers used the song to demonstrate the game at [[E3]].


According to the January, 2008 issue of [[Revolver Magazine]], DragonForce has started to record new tracks for an upcoming album.

==Musical style==
DragonForce's musical style includes:
*Emphasis on fast, twin-guitar harmonies in [[speed metal]] styles
*Generally optimistic and uplifting chorus sections
*Lyrics of a [[Fantasy|fantastical]] or epic nature, often with phrases recurring in multiple songs
*Use of multi-tracked backing vocals
*Use of keyboards throughout songs
*Video game-influenced melodies and noises

Although the band takes their musicianship seriously, they do not embody the themes in their music. In an interview with Metal Hammer, guitarist Herman Li has stated "Oh no, it's completely serious, we have fun doing it...".<ref>Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 35 "DragonForce interview"</ref> DragonForce's influences are drawn from all kinds of metal, melodic rock, and in particular [[video games]] such as "''[[Wonder Boy in Monster World]]''", and the [[Final Fantasy]] series,<ref>[http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=128 Metal-Temple.com Herman Li (Interview)]</ref> with lyrics comparable to themes present in fantasy games.

The band has frequently referred to their style not just as power metal, but [[Power metal#Extreme power metal|extreme power metal]]. Some fans call their style "epic metal", as a reference to the epic nature of their songs and music videos. DragonForce, however, does not typically use the same orchestral and symphonic melodies associated with Epic Metal. Despite this, their style differs from extreme power metal in that it doesn't use the growled vocals nor the aggressive feel that is portrayed by other extreme power metal bands such as [[Children of Bodom]]. 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 (band)|Journey]] Meets [[Slayer]],' ...people are always coming up with weird labels for us." <ref> Guitar World, Holiday 2006, pg 72 "Hotter Then Hell"</ref>

==Current members==
*[[ZP Theart]] - Lead vocals (1999-Present)
*[[Herman Li]] - Lead / Rhythm guitars & Backing vocals (1999-Present)
*[[Sam Totman]] - Lead / Rhythm guitars & Backing vocals (1999-present)
*[[Dave Mackintosh]] - Drums & Backing vocals (2004-Present)
*[[Frédéric Leclercq]] - Bass guitar & Backing vocals (2006-Present)
*[[Vadim Pruzhanov]] - Keyboards, Piano & Backing vocals (2001-Present)

===Former members===
*[[Adrian Lambert]] - Bass & Backing vocals (2004-2005)
*Didier Almouzni - Drums & Backing vocals (1999-2003)
*Diccon Harper - Bass & Backing vocals (2001-2003)
*Steve Scott - Bass & Backing vocals (1999-2000)
*Steve Williams - Keyboard & Backing vocals (1999-2000)

== Discography==
<div style='float:right'>{{Listeninbrowser|filename=DragonForce Soldiers of the Wasteland.ogg|title=Soldiers of the Wasteland (sample)|description=A brief sample of the sixth track on the [[Sonic Firestorm]] CD.}}</div>
* ''[[Valley of the Damned (demo)]]'' (2000) (as DragonHeart)
* ''[[Valley of the Damned]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Sonic Firestorm]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]'' (2007) (Special Edition)
* ''[[Valley of the Damned - Remixed & Remastered]]'' (Delayed)

===Music videos===
*"[[Through the Fire and Flames]]", from ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]''
*"[[Operation Ground and Pound]]", from ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]''

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
!width="50"|<small>U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100]]</small>
!width="50"|<small>U.S. [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]]</small>
!Album
|-
|2007
|"[[Through the Fire and Flames]]"
|align="center"|86
|align="center"|-
|''Inhuman Rampage''
|-
|2007
|"[[Operation Ground and Pound]]"
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|-
|''Inhuman Rampage''
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons|DragonForce}}
* [http://www.dragonforce.com DragonForce] - official site
*{{MySpace-music|dragonforce|DragonForce}}
* [http://musicametal.blogosfere.it/2007/12/dragonforce-venti-foto-dal-black-crusade-a-milano.html our 2007 (Black Crusade Tour in Italy - 6 December 2007)]
*[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/DragonForce/ Artist profile page at Roadrunner Records]

{{DragonForce}}
[[Category:British heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:English musical groups]]
[[Category:Music from London]]
[[Category:Power metal musical groups]]
[[Category:2000s music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records artists]]

[[cs:DragonForce]]
[[de:DragonForce]]
[[es:DragonForce]]
[[fr:DragonForce]]
[[hr:DragonForce]]
[[it:DragonForce]]
[[he:דראגונפורס]]
[[hu:DragonForce]]
[[nl:DragonForce]]
[[ja:ドラゴンフォース (バンド)]]
[[no:DragonForce]]
[[pl:DragonForce]]
[[pt:DragonForce]]
[[ru:DragonForce]]
[[sco:DragonForce]]
[[fi:DragonForce]]
[[sv:Dragonforce]]
[[tr:DragonForce]]
[[uk:Dragonforce]]
[[zh:龍之動力]]

Revision as of 02:30, 14 January 2008

This article is about the band. For the Saturn/PlayStation 2 strategy game, see Dragon Force.
DragonForce

DragonForce is a British power metal band formed in London in 1999. They are known for their fast paced songs, twin guitar solos, and incorporation of "video game" sounds into their music.

History

DragonForce was formed in 1999 from the remnants of black metal band Demoniac under the name of DragonHeart, but soon changed their name to DragonForce before releasing any commercial albums due to possible commercial issues with Brazilian band Dragonheart. Their career began with the publishing of their early songs on the first incarnation of MP3.com claiming the top of the site's heavy metal charts. The hit song "Valley of the Damned" reached over 500,000 downloads in the first few months. Two of the original members, Steve Williams and Steve Scott left the band to form power metal outfit Power Quest.

DragonForce has enjoyed increasing popularity over the years, publishing three albums and touring extensively while supporting Helloween, W.A.S.P. and Iron Maiden. Their 2005 tour in support of the Sonic Firestorm album included support from Angra and Mendeed during their passage through the UK. On October 28, 2005 bassist Adrian Lambert announced his departure from the band in order to focus more time on raising his young son[1] (Lambert later revealed in an interview that he had left due to musical differences with Herman Li and Sam Totman[citation needed]). Less than a month after Lambert's departure, on November 23, 2005, DragonForce was signed to Roadrunner Records in the United Kingdom, France, Australia and New Zealand, who released their most recent effort, Inhuman Rampage on January 9, 2006. Lambert was replaced in 2006 by Frédéric Leclercq, who was made an official member after a performance on tour.

A master track of the song "Through the Fire and Flames" is featured in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and is considered one of the most challenging tracks in the Guitar Hero series[2]. The developers used the song to demonstrate the game at E3.


According to the January, 2008 issue of Revolver Magazine, DragonForce has started to record new tracks for an upcoming album.

Musical style

DragonForce's musical style includes:

  • Emphasis on fast, twin-guitar harmonies in speed metal styles
  • Generally optimistic and uplifting chorus sections
  • Lyrics of a fantastical or epic nature, often with phrases recurring in multiple songs
  • Use of multi-tracked backing vocals
  • Use of keyboards throughout songs
  • Video game-influenced melodies and noises

Although the band takes their musicianship seriously, they do not embody the themes in their music. In an interview with Metal Hammer, guitarist Herman Li has stated "Oh no, it's completely serious, we have fun doing it...".[3] DragonForce's influences are drawn from all kinds of metal, melodic rock, and in particular video games such as "Wonder Boy in Monster World", and the Final Fantasy series,[4] with lyrics comparable to themes present in fantasy games.

The band has frequently referred to their style not just as power metal, but extreme power metal. Some fans call their style "epic metal", as a reference to the epic nature of their songs and music videos. DragonForce, however, does not typically use the same orchestral and symphonic melodies associated with Epic Metal. Despite this, their style differs from extreme power metal in that it doesn't use the growled vocals nor the aggressive feel that is portrayed by other extreme power metal bands such as Children of Bodom. 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]

Current members

Former members

  • Adrian Lambert - Bass & Backing vocals (2004-2005)
  • Didier Almouzni - Drums & Backing vocals (1999-2003)
  • Diccon Harper - Bass & Backing vocals (2001-2003)
  • Steve Scott - Bass & Backing vocals (1999-2000)
  • Steve Williams - Keyboard & Backing vocals (1999-2000)

Discography

Soldiers of the Wasteland (sample)
A brief sample of the sixth track on the Sonic Firestorm CD.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Music videos

Singles

Year Title U.S. Billboard Hot 100 U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks Album
2007 "Through the Fire and Flames" 86 - Inhuman Rampage
2007 "Operation Ground and Pound" - - Inhuman Rampage

References

  1. ^ Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 40 "DragonForce interview"
  2. ^ Saltzman, Mitchell (2007-10-19). "The Hardest Guitar Hero Song Ever?". GWN.com. Retrieved 2007-10-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 35 "DragonForce interview"
  4. ^ Metal-Temple.com Herman Li (Interview)
  5. ^ Guitar World, Holiday 2006, pg 72 "Hotter Then Hell"
Wikimedia Commons has media related to DragonForce.
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