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{{otheruses4|the band|the Saturn/PlayStation 2 strategy game|Dragon Force}}
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = DragonForce
| Img = Dragonforcelive.jpg
| Img_capt = DragonForce in 2007 performing in [[Melbourne]]
| Img_size = 250
| Landscape = yes
| Background = group_or_band
| Alias = DragonHeart
| Origin = [[London, England]]
| Genre = [[Power metal]]
| Years_active = 1999 – present
| Label = [[Sanctuary Records|Sanctuary]], [[Noise Records|Noise]], [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]
| Associated_acts = [[Demoniac]], [[Power Quest]], [[Shadow Warriors (band)|Shadow Warriors]]
| URL = [http://www.dragonforce.com/ dragonforce.com]
| Current_members = [[Herman Li]]<br />[[Sam Totman]]<br />[[ZP Theart]]<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''' are an [[England|English]] [[power metal]] band formed in [[London]] in 1999. The group is known for its fast paced songs, twin guitar solos, and incorporation of "[[video game music|video game]]" sounds into their music.

Their newest album is slated to be released on August 25th, 2008.<ref>http://www.dragonforce.com/main.html</ref>

==History==
DragonForce was formed in 1999 from the remnants of the band [[Demoniac]] under the name of DragonHeart, but they 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 music|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 the [[power metal]] outfit [[Power Quest]]. Sam Totman also started a side project called [[Shadow Warriors (band)|Shadow Warriors]] featuring himself and ZP Theart. Sam has confirmed many times that Herman Li was not involved with Shadow Warriors.

The band's first successful song was "Starfire" off of their debut album, Valley of the Damned. It was most noted because it starts off with a light piano intro, which is atypical among Dragonforce songs. DragonForce have published three albums and toured 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 were signed to [[Roadrunner Records]] in the [[United States]], [[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 may be 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]]. After ''Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock'' was released, the band's music sales reportedly increased drastically<ref>{{cite web | title = Band's sales are feeling the 'Guitar Hero' effect | date = [[2008-02-14]] | url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2008-02-14-guitar-hero-effect_N.htm | work = usatoday.com | last = Snider | first = Mike | accessdate = 2008-02-17 }}</ref>.

==Musical style==
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 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 (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>

==Band members==
===Current members===
*[[Herman Li]] - Lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
*[[Sam Totman]] - Lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
*[[ZP Theart]] - Lead vocals
*[[Vadim Pruzhanov]] - Keyboards, piano, backing vocals <small>(2001-present)</small>
*[[Dave Mackintosh]] - Drums, backing vocals <small>(2004-present)</small>
*[[Frédéric Leclercq]] - Bass guitar, backing vocals <small>(2006-present)</small>

===Former members===
*[[Adrian Lambert]] - Bass guitar, backing vocals <small>(2004-2005)</small>
*Didier Almouzni - Drums, backing vocals <small>(1999-2003)</small>
*Diccon Harper - Bass guitar, backing vocals <small>(2001-2003)</small>
*Steve Scott - Bass guitar, backing vocals <small>(1999-2000)</small>
*Steve Williams - Keyboards, backing vocals <small>(1999-2000)</small>

==Discography==
{{main|DragonForce discography}}

{{Sound sample box align right}}{{Listen|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.}}{{Sample box end}}
===Studio albums===
*February 20th 2003: ''[[Valley of the Damned]]''
*2004: ''[[Sonic Firestorm]]''
*January 9th 2006: ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]''
*August 25th 2008: ''[[To be confirmed]]''

===Demos===
*2000: ''[[Valley of the Damned (demo)|Valley of the Damned]]'' (as DragonHeart)

===Remixes===
*2008: ''[[Valley of the Damned#Remixed and Remastered Version Tracklist|Valley of the Damned - Remixed & Remastered]]''

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"| Title
!colspan="5"| Chart peak positions
!rowspan="2"| Album
|-style="vertical-align:top;line-height:1.2"
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Pop 100|US<br>Pop]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|US<br>Main.]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Hot Digital Songs|US<br>Digital]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%"|[[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]
|-
| 2005
| "Fury of the Storm"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
| ''[[Sonic Firestorm]]''
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2006
| "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]"
|align="center"| 34
|align="center"| 26
|align="center"| 1
|align="center"| 39
|align="center"| 41
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]''
|-
| "[[Operation Ground and Pound]]"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|}

"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

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

[[als:Dragonforce]]
[[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]]
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[[tr:DragonForce]]
[[uk:Dragonforce]]
[[zh:龍之動力]]

Revision as of 01:56, 21 April 2008

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

DragonForce are an English power metal band formed in London in 1999. The group is known for its fast paced songs, twin guitar solos, and incorporation of "video game" sounds into their music.

Their newest album is slated to be released on August 25th, 2008.[1]

History

DragonForce was formed in 1999 from the remnants of the band Demoniac under the name of DragonHeart, but they 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 the power metal outfit Power Quest. Sam Totman also started a side project called Shadow Warriors featuring himself and ZP Theart. Sam has confirmed many times that Herman Li was not involved with Shadow Warriors.

The band's first successful song was "Starfire" off of their debut album, Valley of the Damned. It was most noted because it starts off with a light piano intro, which is atypical among Dragonforce songs. DragonForce have published three albums and toured 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[2] (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 were signed to Roadrunner Records in the United States, 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 may be considered one of the most challenging tracks in the Guitar Hero series[3]. The developers used the song to demonstrate the game at E3. After Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was released, the band's music sales reportedly increased drastically[4].

Musical style

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...".[5] 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,[6] with lyrics comparable to themes present in fantasy games.

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." [7]

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Adrian Lambert - Bass guitar, backing vocals (2004-2005)
  • Didier Almouzni - Drums, backing vocals (1999-2003)
  • Diccon Harper - Bass guitar, backing vocals (2001-2003)
  • Steve Scott - Bass guitar, backing vocals (1999-2000)
  • Steve Williams - Keyboards, backing vocals (1999-2000)

Discography

Main article: DragonForce discography

Template:Sound sample box align right

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

Template:Sample box end

Studio albums

Demos

Remixes

Singles

Year Title Chart peak positions Album
US US
Pop 		US
Main. 		US
Digital 		CAN
2005 "Fury of the Storm" — — — — — Sonic Firestorm
2006 "Through the Fire and Flames" 34 26 1 39 41 Inhuman Rampage
"Operation Ground and Pound" — — — — —

"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Music videos

References

  1. ^ http://www.dragonforce.com/main.html
  2. ^ Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 40 "DragonForce interview"
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ Snider, Mike (2008-02-14). "Band's sales are feeling the 'Guitar Hero' effect". usatoday.com. Retrieved 2008-02-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 35 "DragonForce interview"
  6. ^ Metal-Temple.com Herman Li (Interview)
  7. ^ Guitar World, Holiday 2006, pg 72 "Hotter Then Hell"
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