DragonForce

DragonForce is a heavy metal and power metal group from London, United Kingdom, active since 1999. It begins under the name DragonHeart, formed by Sam Totman, Herman Li and vocalist ZP Theart, with an early lineup that also includes drummer Matej Setinc, bassist Steve Scott and keyboardist Steve Williams. Totman and Li previously play together in Demoniac. In 2002 the group adopts the name DragonForce after finding that another band already uses DragonHeart.

Style and characteristics

The band is known for very fast guitar work, fantasy-themed lyrics and a sound influenced by retro video games. It also uses the term “extreme power metal” for its music. DragonForce is associated with the group of prominent power metal acts sometimes called the genre’s “big four”, alongside Helloween, Blind Guardian and Sabaton.

Albums and notable songs

DragonForce signs to Noise Records and releases its debut album, Valley of the Damned, in 2003. Its title track remains one of the band’s best-known songs and stays in the live set for many years. Sonic Firestorm follows in 2004 and develops a faster, more technically demanding approach. Inhuman Rampage arrives in 2005 after the band signs to Roadrunner Records, and it brings the group wider international attention. The lead single “Through the Fire and Flames” becomes the band’s best-known song and appears in several video games, including Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. In 2008 the group releases Ultra Beatdown, whose single “Heroes of Our Time” receives a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2009.

DragonForce later releases The Power Within in 2012, Maximum Overload in 2014, Reaching into Infinity in 2017, Extreme Power Metal in 2019, and Warp Speed Warriors in 2024. Its discography also includes live albums, compilations and video releases. The first live album, Twilight Dementia, appears in 2010 and is recorded during the Ultra Beatdown tour. In the Line of Fire... Larger than Live is a live video documenting a festival performance. Killer Elite: The Hits, The Highs, The Vids is issued as a compilation in 2016.

Line-up changes

The band goes through multiple personnel changes over time. Former members include ZP Theart, Vadim Pruzhanov, Dave Mackintosh, Adrian Lambert and Frédéric Leclercq. Marc Hudson joins as lead vocalist in 2011 and makes his recorded debut on The Power Within. Gee Anzalone later replaces Dave Mackintosh on drums. Alicia Vigil first joins as a touring bassist in 2020 and becomes a full-time member in 2022. Alissa White-Gluz joins as a second lead vocalist in 2026, creating a dual-vocalist line-up alongside Marc Hudson.

Career highlights

In 2005 the band’s album Inhuman Rampage reaches gold certification in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Touring support for Ultra Beatdown is interrupted in part by the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak, which leads to postponements in South America. During the COVID-19 pandemic the group pauses touring and works on new material, including parody recordings and collaborations. DragonForce also contributes music to video games, including original material for Beat Saber and work connected to Brawl Stars.

Labels

DragonForce signs with Noise Records early in its career, later moves to Roadrunner Records, and signs with Napalm Records in 2023.