Vadim Pruzhanov
 |
Vadim Pruzhanov |
|---|
Vadim Igorevich Pruzhanov (Ukrainian: Вадим Пружанов) (born June 18, 1982 in Ukraine, Soviet Union) is the keyboardist of UK Power Metal band, DragonForce.
Biography
He was born in Ukraine, Soviet Union, to parents of Russian ethnicity and later moved to London, England. He first started playing piano at the age of 8. Pruzhanov then studied at a music school until he eventually got bored and quit three years later, and carried on as a self-taught player instead. It was at that time that Pruzhanov discovered rock music and decided to pursue it as a career. He got a Yamaha PSS-51 keyboard and started to create his own music at the age of 12 and has carried on since. Apart from playing the keyboard, Pruzhanov is also a capable guitar player, and owns an Ibanez guitar. He takes influence from artists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Strapping Young Lad, Steve Vai, Judas Priest, Symphony X, and Dream Theater.
Pruzhanov studied at Cardinal Wiseman RC High School in Greenford, Middlesex (London). He continued on as a member of the 6th Form.
Musical Style
Pruzhanov is known for his frantic head-banging and extremely fast techno/video game inspired keyboard solos, and has been known to play the keyboard with his tongue. It was thought that he plays with his forehead, but he states, "Some people think I play with my face, but I really don't. They just have to be observant!" Often, he will entertain the crowd at a DragonForce concert with a high-speed keyboard performance utilizing the ideal of show stopping spectacle over skill, often incorporating melodic elements from popular TV tunes such as The Simpsons or Countdown. During these he will play his Roland keytar (as seen on the "Operation Ground and Pound" video), and he is often accompanied by Herman Li or another member of the band as the intermission progresses.
During the guitar-driven DragonForce songs, Pruzhanov often only plays string or synth-string backing, but occasionally solos alongside the guitars - for example, in Soldiers of the Wasteland.
Pruzhanov's keyboarding can also be heard in a solo on the Protest The Hero track, "Limb from Limb."
Stage Equipment
Pruzhanov currently uses Korg M3 (previously a Korg Triton and a Korg X50). He has recently switched to playing a customized Roland AX-7 keytar for increased maneuverability on stage. He has also recently included a theremin into his equipment. In addition to that he also has MIDIjet Pro, a Kaoss Pad, and Sennheiser IEM G2
External links
