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{{Refimprove|date=March 2008}}
{{for|the power metal band|DragonForce}}
{{Infobox VG| title = Dragon Force
{{otheruses4|the band|the Saturn/PlayStation 2 strategy game|Dragon Force}}
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
|image = [[Image:Dragon Force image.jpg]]
| Name = [[DragonForce|DragonForce]]
|developer = [[Sega]]
| Img = Dragonforcelive.jpg
|publisher = [[Working Designs]]
| Img_capt = DragonForce in 2007 performing in [[Melbourne]].
|designer =
| Img_size = 250
|engine =
| Landscape = yes
|released = [[1996]]
| Background = group_or_band
|genre = [[Real-time strategy]], [[Real-time tactics]]
| Alias = DragonHeart
|modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer]]
| Origin = [[London]], [[England]]
|ratings = [[ESRB]]: Kids to Adults (K-A)
| Years_active = 1999 – present
|platforms = [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[PlayStation 2]]
| Label = [[Sanctuary Records|Sanctuary]], [[Noise Records (Germany)|Noise]], [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]], [[Spinefarm Records|Spinefarm]], [[Universal Records|Universal]]
|media =
| Associated_acts = [[Demoniac]], [[Power Quest]], [[Shadow Warriors (band)|Shadow Warriors]]
|requirements =
| URL = [http://www.dragonforce.com/ dragonforce.com]
|input =
| 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 Williams<br />Steve Scott
}}
}}
'''''Dragon Force''''' (ドラゴンフォース) is a [[real-time strategy]] and [[real-time tactics|tactics]] [[video game]] from [[Sega]] created for the [[Sega Saturn]]. It was created in Japan and translated for U.S. release by [[Working Designs]] in [[1996]]. A sequel, never translated, was released for the Saturn in Japan in [[1998]]. The first title was re-released for the [[PlayStation 2]] as part of the [[Sega Ages]] series.


'''DragonForce''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[power metal]] band formed in 1999. They refer to themselves as "extreme power metal" and are known for fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to the "video game metal" effect.
==Gameplay==
The player assumes the role of one of the continent's eight rulers and sets out to, depending on the ruler, unite the continent, bring peace to the land, and put a stop to the great evil that wants to destroy the land. Each of the eight rulers move along predetermined paths between towns and castles, with castles being the primary objective of the game. When two armies meet, or an army approaches an enemy castle, the focus then switches to that battle.


==History==
Gameplay is generally divided into two categories; the strategic "world map" view, and the tactics-oriented battle. On the world map, the player organizes and moves his forces in real time, although the game pauses when the player enters a menu. Armies may only move along predetermined paths between towns and castles, with castles being the primary objective of the game. When two armies meet, or an army approaches an enemy castle, the focus then switches to that battle.


DragonForce was formed in 1998 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 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.
At the outset of the battle, each side chooses a general and corresponding company of troops to command. The battle is then fought in real-time, again pausing the action when the player goes into a menu to select commands or use the generals' special attacks or spells. Battles end when one general runs out of hitpoints or retreats; if both generals' armies are depleted, both generals have the option of dueling or retreating. Generals who run out of hitpoints are, depending on the general, captured, injured, or (rarely) killed in action. If the player's ruler is defeated in this manner, the player loses the game and must restart from the last save. Once the battle is finished, the process repeats until one army's generals have all been defeated.


The band's first successful song was "Starfire" from their debut album, ''[[Valley of the Damned]]''. It was most noted because it starts off with a piano intro, which is atypical among DragonForce songs. DragonForce have released four studio 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> 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 third studio album, ''[[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.
Every in-game "week" (a fixed amount of time on the world map), the player attends to administrative duties. During this time, players may give awards to generals (increasing the number of troops they can command or items that increase their capabilities), persuade captive enemy generals to join the player's army, search for items or recruit generals in the ruler's territory, fortify castles, and save the game. Plot-advancing [[cut scene]]s frequently take place at the end of the week.


The song "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]" is featured in the [[video game]] ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' and is generally considered to be the hardest track 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 increased dramatically.<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> Their song being featured in the game has successfully placed the band into mainstream performances.
==Playable kingdoms==
Within the game eight different storylines exist, one for each monarch. The campaigns for Goldark and Reinhart can only be accessed after the game has been completed as they contain spoilers from the outset. The table below shows the names of the eight kingdoms and their monarchs in addition to the troop types associated with them.


A new DragonForce album, titled ''[[Ultra Beatdown]]'' was released on [[August 26]], [[2008]]. This will be followed by an extensive [[North America]]n tour through October with [[Turisas]] and then followed by a tour of Australia and the UK.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Kingdom
! Monarch
! Predominant troop type
|-
| Highland
| Wein
| Soldier
|-
| Palemoon
| Teiris
| Archer
|-
| Tristan
| Junon
| Harpy
|-
| Topaz
| Leon
| Monk
|-
| Tradnor
| Reinhart
| Mage
|-
| Bozak
| Gongos
| Beastmen
|-
| Izumu
| Mikhal
| Samurai
|-
| Fandaria
| Goldark
| Cavalry
|}


July 4th saw the release of DragonForce's first single from the new album, "[[Heroes of Our Time]]", released only on their [[MySpace]] page; however, it is also available on [[iTunes]]. The video for it was released on the band's official [[YouTube]] channel on [[July 9]].
In addition to these eight troop types there are also Zombies and Dragons which can be acquired using special items in the game.


==Reception==
==Musical style==
DragonForce's musical style includes:
The game was released with 4 different disc art variants. ''Dragon force'' won [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'s Game of the Month award as well as their Saturn Game of the Year award for 1996. ''EGM'' later ranked the game as #111 on their 'The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time'<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3147448 The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time from 1UP.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
* Emphasis on fast, twin-guitar harmonies in speed metal styles.
* Lyrics of a fantastical or epic nature, with a hopeful and optimistic attitude, often with recurring themes and lyrical phrases in multiple songs
* Lyrics which emphasize comradeship and hope
* 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 various kinds of metal such as melodic styles of rock, and in particular [[video game]]s 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. Also, on some tour dates the band has actually come onstage to the Donkey Kong Theme.
==Voice acting for the Sega Ages release==
*Wein: [[Eiji Takemoto]]
*Mikhal: [[Kentaro Ito]]
*Reinhart: [[Yuriko Fuchizaki]]
*Leon: [[Hiroki Takahashi]]


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 [[Amphetamine|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> The band has often been labelled [[speed metal]]<ref>http://www.pe.com/entertainment/stories/PE_Ent_Guide_D_soundtracks.204707.html</ref><ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/entertainment/music/hottickets/article_1223269.php Entertainment - Juan Gabriel to play the Pond<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=19752 Friday 07/07/06 Ozzfest 2006, Main Stage @ The Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix Arizona - GIGWISE<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> due to the fast tempos present in their songs, but always as a supplement to other types of metal descriptors.
== References ==


==Tours==
<references/>
* Valley of the Damned Tour 2003
* Valley of the Damned/Sonic Firestorm Promotional Tour 2004
* Sonic Firestorm Over Europe Tour
* Sonic Firestorm Tour 2005
* Meet the Sonic Firestorm Tour 2005
* Sonic Firestorm in North America Tour 2005
* Inhuman Rampage Tour - The First Strike
* Inhuman Rampage World Tour 2006
* Ozzfest 2006 Tour
* Inhuman Rampage Over North America Tour
* Inhuman Rampage Across Europe Tour
* Inhuman Rampage Tour - The Second Strike
* Inhuman Rampage World Tour 2007
* No Fear Music Tour 2007
* Inhuman Rampage World Tour 2007
* The Black Crusade European Tour
* Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour 2008
* North America Ultra Beatdown 2008
* United Kingdom & Ireland Ultra Beatdown 2008
* Australia Ultra Beatdown 2008
* America Ultra Beatdown 2008
* Europe Ultra Beatdown 2008

==Band members==
===Current members===
*[[ZP Theart]] - Lead vocals <small>(founder)</small>
*[[Herman Li]] - Lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals <small> (founder)</small>
*[[Sam Totman]] - Lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals <small>(founder)</small>
*[[Vadim Pruzhanov]] - Keyboards, backing vocals <small>(2001-present)</small>
*[[Dave Mackintosh]] - Drums, percussion, 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 Williams (musician)|Steve Williams]] - Keyboards, backing vocals <small>(1999-2000)</small>
*Steve Scott - Bass guitar, 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===
*2003: ''[[Valley of the Damned]]''
*2004: ''[[Sonic Firestorm]]''
*2006: ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]''
*2008: ''[[Ultra Beatdown]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons|DragonForce}}
*{{moby game|id=/dragon-force|name=''Dragon Force''}}
* [http://www.dragonforce.com Official DragonForce website]
*[http://www.gamespot.com/saturn/strategy/dragonforce/review.html Gamespot's review of Dragon Force]
*{{MySpace|dragonforce|DragonForce}}
* [http://musicametal.blogosfere.it/2007/12/dragonforce-venti-foto-dal-black-crusade-a-milano.html Black Crusade Tour 2007 photos on MusicaMetal]
*[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/DragonForce/ Artist profile page at Roadrunner Records]
* [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587142/20080508/dragonforce.jhtml MTV News interview about new album]
*[http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=125&csid2=846&fid1=32956 Dragonforce at exclaim]

{{DragonForce}}


[[Category:1996 video games]]
[[Category:DragonForce]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:British heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Sega games]]
[[Category:English musical groups]]
[[Category:Working Designs]]
[[Category:Music from London]]
[[Category:Real-time tactics video games]]
[[Category:Power metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:2000s music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records artists]]


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[[zh:龍之動力]]

Revision as of 01:45, 20 October 2008

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

DragonForce is a British power metal band formed in 1999. They refer to themselves as "extreme power metal" and are known for fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to the "video game metal" effect.

History

DragonForce was formed in 1998 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 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" from their debut album, Valley of the Damned. It was most noted because it starts off with a piano intro, which is atypical among DragonForce songs. DragonForce have released four studio 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[1] 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 third studio album, 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.

The song "Through the Fire and Flames" is featured in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and is generally considered to be the hardest track in the Guitar Hero series[2]. 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 increased dramatically.[3] Their song being featured in the game has successfully placed the band into mainstream performances.

A new DragonForce album, titled Ultra Beatdown was released on August 26, 2008. This will be followed by an extensive North American tour through October with Turisas and then followed by a tour of Australia and the UK.

July 4th saw the release of DragonForce's first single from the new album, "Heroes of Our Time", released only on their MySpace page; however, it is also available on iTunes. The video for it was released on the band's official YouTube channel on July 9.

Musical style

DragonForce's musical style includes:

  • Emphasis on fast, twin-guitar harmonies in speed metal styles.
  • Lyrics of a fantastical or epic nature, with a hopeful and optimistic attitude, often with recurring themes and lyrical phrases in multiple songs
  • Lyrics which emphasize comradeship and hope
  • 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...".[4] DragonForce's influences are drawn from various kinds of metal such as melodic styles of rock, and in particular video games such as Wonder Boy in Monster World, and the Final Fantasy series,[5] with lyrics comparable to themes present in fantasy games. Also, on some tour dates the band has actually come onstage to the Donkey Kong Theme.

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."[6] The band has often been labelled speed metal[7][8][9] due to the fast tempos present in their songs, but always as a supplement to other types of metal descriptors.

Tours

  • Valley of the Damned Tour 2003
  • Valley of the Damned/Sonic Firestorm Promotional Tour 2004
  • Sonic Firestorm Over Europe Tour
  • Sonic Firestorm Tour 2005
  • Meet the Sonic Firestorm Tour 2005
  • Sonic Firestorm in North America Tour 2005
  • Inhuman Rampage Tour - The First Strike
  • Inhuman Rampage World Tour 2006
  • Ozzfest 2006 Tour
  • Inhuman Rampage Over North America Tour
  • Inhuman Rampage Across Europe Tour
  • Inhuman Rampage Tour - The Second Strike
  • Inhuman Rampage World Tour 2007
  • No Fear Music Tour 2007
  • Inhuman Rampage World Tour 2007
  • The Black Crusade European Tour
  • Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour 2008
  • North America Ultra Beatdown 2008
  • United Kingdom & Ireland Ultra Beatdown 2008
  • Australia Ultra Beatdown 2008
  • America Ultra Beatdown 2008
  • Europe Ultra Beatdown 2008

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 Williams - Keyboards, backing vocals (1999-2000)
  • Steve Scott - Bass guitar, 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

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. ^ 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)
  4. ^ Metal Hammer, November 2006, pg 35 "DragonForce interview"
  5. ^ Metal-Temple.com Herman Li (Interview)
  6. ^ Guitar World, Holiday 2006, pg 72 "Hotter Then Hell"
  7. ^ http://www.pe.com/entertainment/stories/PE_Ent_Guide_D_soundtracks.204707.html
  8. ^ Entertainment - Juan Gabriel to play the Pond
  9. ^ Friday 07/07/06 Ozzfest 2006, Main Stage @ The Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix Arizona - GIGWISE
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