1 for 2 weeks as the most downloaded song. The song was also a huge success on MP3.com where it charted at No. A promotional video featuring live footage from their tour around Europe was released along with the song. Their song "Valley of the Damned" was released as their debut single shortly after they changed their name permanently to DragonForce in 2002 (after finding out another power metal band already had the name DragonHeart). Bassist Diccon Harper joined the band in November that year, with keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov joining in February 2001 to complete the line-up for recording their debut studio album.Īlthough it was an independent release, their demo was enough to make them one of the most popular independent power metal bands in the UK at the time. Williams took a small break then later rejoined the band as they recorded their first demo with Clive Nolan as a session member on the keyboards later that year, but left once again in December 2000, days ahead of the band's tour with Halford and Stratovarius to promote the demo, and formed his own band, Power Quest. The band also parted ways with Scott, who left to join Shadowkeep, in 2000. Setinc left the band in December 1999 to continue his studies in Slovenia, so the band hired Peter Hunt to record the drums for their demo album before finding Didier Almouzni. The two later found vocalist ZP Theart through an advertisement, and soon acquired former Demoniac drummer Matej Setinc, bassist Steve Scott and keyboardist Steve Williams. Totman and Li had both experienced being in a band previously, with both having come from the New Zealand heavy metal band Demoniac. ĭragonForce guitarists and founding members Herman Li (left) and Sam Totman (right)ĭragonForce were founded in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, under the name of DragonHeart. Dragonforce has been referred to as one of power metal "big four" bands, along with Helloween, Blind Guardian and Sabaton.
The lead single from their fourth album, " Heroes of Our Time", was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009. Their third album, Inhuman Rampage (2006), was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) its lead single, " Through the Fire and Flames", is their best-known song, and was featured in several video games, including Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. The band have been through a number of lineup changes throughout their career longtime members in vocalist ZP Theart, keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov, drummer Dave Mackintosh and bassist Frédéric Leclercq are among the former members of the band.ĭragonForce have released eight studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, one live DVD and one demo. DragonForce's current lineup comprises Li, Totman, vocalist Marc Hudson and drummer Gee Anzalone. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, and are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics and retro video game-influenced sound. DragonForce are a British power metal band from London, England.