Dragonforce

Wed
04
Sep

DragonForce - Heart Demolition (New Official Video)

On September 27th, DragonForce will unleash their 8th full-length album
Extreme Power Metal, worldwide. 

Today sees the release of a brand new video for DragonForce’s second single “Heart Demolition”.
Inspired by classic arcade games, the retro look of the video perfectly completes the song’s fast and furious guitar sound and triumphant, uplifting melodies.

Having had its exclusive pre-premiere on the gaming video platform Twitch, the fun video for “Heart Demolition” can be watched on the DragonForce YouTube Channel now: 
https://youtu.be/DDtaDWel5bs 

 
“Extreme Power Metal” will be available as a CD Digipak2LP+DL and digital
Produced in Los Angeles, California by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited, “Extreme Power Metal” was also recorded, in part, on guitarist Herman Li's livestream channel on Twitch (www.twitch.tv/hermanli) with participation from the fans.

Pre-Order the album now!
https://smarturl.it/DragonforcEPM_au
Artist: 
 
Tue
21
Feb

DRAGONFORCE Are 'Reaching Into Infinity' On May 19

Artist: 
Friday, May 19, 2017
Categories: 
News Feed
 
International metal superstars DRAGONFORCE have revealed details of their forthcoming, brand new studio album! Reaching Into Infinity will be released via EarMUSIC/Sony Music Australia on May 19. Formats are, Digital, CD, LP and a special edition CD and DVD.
 
Recording the bulk of the album at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden, with producer Jens Bogren, the band also laid down tracks while touring their 'Killer Elite' best of album, utilising Lamerluser Studios, London UK. Dark Lane Studios, Witney, UK, as well as the bands own Evil1 Studios in Charleville-Mazia¨res, France and Shredforce One Studios, CA USA.
 
'We were flying out, playing a festival, then back into the studio, then back out again.' Explains bassplayer Frederic Leclercq, who also handled the majority of songwriting on this album. 
'It was very intense and very tiring. I obviously played bass but also a lot of rhythm guitar, electric and acoustic, and lost my temper a few times - I think we all did at some point, because we wanted to deliver nothing but the best.'
 
For their seventh studio album, DRAGONFORCE have opened up their sound like never before, capturing the fierce, forlorn and fun with both menace and melody.
 
'I think we have proven that playing fast was something we were good at, so this time I wanted to bring even more diversity into our music.' Fred continues. 
'It's great to challenge ourselves instead of staying in a comfort zone, and I really wanted to experiment with Marc's vocals. I think people are going to be surprised at his brutality!'
 
'The title of the album explains pretty much what we are trying to do with our music' Fred concludes. 'Today's world is really crazy - there is fear of the future, uncertainty.
But the power of music is infinite, and it can give strength and hope to people.'
 
The first album to feature Gee Anzalone, the Italian drummer has laid down an insanely impressive performance to provide the perfect backbone to the DRAGONFORCE sound, which of course still boasts the bands trademark crazy-fast solos, courtesy of guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman.
 
TRACKLISTING
Standard Edition
1. Reaching into Infinity
2. Ashes of the Dawn
3. Judgement Day
4. Astral Empire
5. Curse of Darkness
6. Silence
7. Midnight Madness
8. WAR!
9. Land of Shattered Dreams
10. The Edge of the World
11. Our Final Stand
 
Special Edition with multi-angle Bonus DVD:
 Disc 1 - CD
1. Reaching into Infinity
2. Ashes of the Dawn
3. Judgement Day
4. Astral Empire
5. Curse of Darkness
6. Silence
7. Midnight Madness
8. WAR!
9. Land of Shattered Dreams
10. The Edge of the World
11. Our Final Stand
 
Bonus Tracks
12. Hatred and Revenge
13. Evil Dead
 
Disc 2 - Bonus DVD
DragonForce Live at Woodstock Festival Poland 2016
1. Holding On
2. Heroes of Our Time
3. Operation Ground and Pound
4. Holding On (Multi-angles)
5. Heroes of Our Time (Multi-angeles)
6. Operation Ground and Pound (Multi-Angles)
 
Reaching Into Infinity Australian June 2017
Tuesday, June 20: Capitol, Perth
Wednesday, June 21: 170 Russell, Melbourne
Thursday, June 22: The Basement, Canberra
Saturday, June 24: Manning Bar, Sydney
Sunday, June 25:  The Triffid, Brisbane
 
Presented by destroyalllines.com
 
Tue
14
Feb

DRAGONFORCE Reaching Into Infinity Australian Tour 2017

Artist: 
Categories: 
Tour News
 
International metal superstars and power metal speed legends DRAGONFORCE have revealed that they will be touring Australia as part of their Reaching Into Infinity World Tour.
 
DRAGONFORCE’s reputation is such that anything new from them is regarded as a landmark moment in the ongoing story of metal. And fans can expect nothing less when their brand-new album ‘Reaching Into Infinity’ drops on May 19 and Australians will be amongst the first in the world to hear it. If previous shows have anything to go by this will be a tour that “melts the faces off everyone in the place with the insane speed of their playing that seemed to get only faster as their set progressed.” - Loud Mag
 
With their lightning fast riffing, DRAGONFORCE are one of the most furiously exciting and animated live acts in the world today. Tickets go on sale Thursday 16 February at 9am!
 
TOUR DATES
Tuesday 20 June – Capitol, Perth 18+
Wednesday 21 June – 170 Russell, Melbourne 18+
Thursday 22 June – The Basement, Canberra 18+
Saturday 24 June – Manning Bar, Sydney 18+
Sunday 25 June – The Triffid, Brisbane 18+
 
TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY @ 9AM local time www.tickets.destroyalllines.com
 
Fri
20
Feb

TANK Prepping 'Valley Of Tears' For June Release

Artist: 
Monday, June 8, 2015
Categories: 
News Feed
 
As recently announced, Metal Mind Productions extended the recording deal with the British heavy metal legend - TANK. Through the years, Metal Mind have re-released the band's back catalogue and released their recent albums “War Machine” (2010) and “War Nation” (2012). TANK’s forthcoming album titled “Valley of Tears” is scheduled for release on June, 8th in Europe and June, 9th in North America (via MVD).
 
Cliff Evans, TANK’s guitarist, comments: "The title comes from the famous Tank battle during the 1973 Yom Kippur War where one side was massively outnumbered but fought on regardless and against all odds secured a heroic victory. We feel that our style of metal is slowly disappearing and now we must also fight against the odds to keep it alive. We hope ‘Valley of Tears’ will inspire other bands and fans alike to never forget what real metal is all about. The Mighty Tank Rolls On!”

Tank - line-up:
Cliff Evans - guitars
Mick Tucker - guitars
ZP Theart (Dragonforce) - vocals
Bobby Schottkowski (Sodom) - drums
Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian) - bass guitar

TANK official website:
www.tankofficial.com
www.metalmind.com.pl
 
 
Tue
02
Dec

EPICA, DRAGONFORCE & NEONFLY Live In London

Artist: 
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Categories: 
Tour News
 
Ladies and gentlemen, today is a great day for Neonfly, our new album "Strangers In Paradise" is finally being released in Europe!

On top of that, we decided to throw in an extra date to celebrate, and we're ...really excited to let you know that we'll be opening for Dragonforce and Epica at The Forum in London on December 6th! DOORS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO 6:30 PM AND NEONFLY WILL BE ON AT 6:50PM, DON'T BE LATE!

Tickets can be purchased here:
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F004C91EA0AE94B

See you down the front!
https://www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK
 
Wed
05
Nov

NEONFLY Release Official Lyric Video For 'Heart Of The Sun'

Artist: 
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed

'Fresh from a sold out rampage across the UK with Dragonforce on their 'Maximum Overload' World Tour melodic metal rockers, NEONFLY, have released the Official Lyric Video to their epic track 'Heart Of The Sun' as a taster from their hotly anticipated second studio album 'Strangers In Paradise'.  This proggy epic utilises themes and artwork from the album proper courtesy of US artist Jorge 'Qetza' Garza who provided the Meso-American & Aztec visualisations that adorn the album cover.
 
The Official Lyric Video can be viewed here:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmiMP8zwyKs
 
'Strangers In Paradise', produced by Dennis Ward (Angra, Michael Kiske, Krokus, Pink Cream 69, Unisonic), is released in Europe on 28th Nov, the UK on December 1st and the US on December 2nd on Inner Wound Recordings.
 
To celebrate their new release, and to preview some of the new tracks, NEONFLY have lined up a launch party gig on November 20th at London’s 02 Islington Academy2 with support from long time friends, the excellent Night By Night, and young metal hopefuls Night Screamer.  With a line-up that channels a multiplicity of inspiration from AOR, Metal, Prog and Rock this is shaping up to be a fantastic night to remember.  NEONFLY are looking forward to rocking the UK capital and meeting and thanking some of their fans post-show.
 
Tickets including album pre-order bundles can be purchased here:
 http://neonfly.bigcartel.com/products

Tickets can be purchased here:
 http://www.o2academyislington.co.uk/event/71418/neonfly-strangers-in-paradise-album-launch-party-tickets
 
NEONFLY have already been confirmed for the main stage at the 2015 Masters Of Rock Festival in Vizovice, Czech Republic and have a raft of exciting new tour dates TBA.  Watch this space!

Check out their Facebook page for the latest news:
https://www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK
 
Wed
20
Aug

The Classic Metal Show - DRAGONFORCE, CHICAGO

Artist: 
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio
The latest from The Classic Metal Show:

Interview with Michelle Kath, the daughter of late Chicago guitarist Terry Kath. She called in to talk about her documentary on her dad's life.  http://www.spreaker.com/user/cmsrocks/interview-with-michelle-kath

Interview with Sam Totsen and Henry Li of Dragonforce - http://www.spreaker.com/user/cmsrocks/interview-with-dragonforce
 
Fri
18
Jul

DRAGONFORCE Hit 'Maximum Overload' August 19 on Metal Blade

Artist: 
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
It's astonishing to realize that DragonForce now have a history going back 15 years, and that they're about to release their sixth album. But such is the pace at which music and life move these days that what was seemingly a highly promising young British metal band just yesterday are now an established full force (ahem) on the scene.  In fact, their reputation is such that anything new from this lot is regarded as a landmark moment in the ongoing story of metal. But the new DragonForce album is a revelation, one that will surely entice them to another level of achievement.

It's called "Maximum Overload," and that's precisely what you get from the 10 tracks on the main album, plus the five bonus songs for the special edition and a DVD. "We have our own style and sound," says Herman Li, who founded the band in 1999 with fellow guitarist Sam Totman. "And we didn't want to move away from that. Once you've got your trademark approach in place, that's what fans come to expect from you. But we also wanted to challenge ourselves. We didn't want to rehash what we'd done before, but take it all in a fresh direction."

So, for the first time in their history, DragonForce have worked with an outside producer. The man in question is the celebrated Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with Opeth, Katatonia, Devin Townsend and Paradise Lost, among many others.

"We had thought about getting Jens to mix our 2008 album ("Ultra Beatdown"), so he was always in our minds. Sam and I have co-produced all our albums so far but the problem with that is it can be really hard to push yourself and the rest of the band. There's always the temptation of going to the pub instead! This time around, we wanted a producer who'd really challenge us, and Jens was the perfect choice."

When you listen to "Maximum Overload," you can hear the way DragonForce have matured, which has actually increased the intensity and power the band generate. What's gone before - from 2003's debut "Valley Of The Damned" through "Sonic Firestorm" ('04), "Inhuman Rampage" ('06), "Ultra Beatdown" ('08) and "The Power Within" (2012) – has laid impressive groundwork, but this is an album with a towering momentum.

"Jens didn't let us get away with anything. He was a slave driver, which is what we needed. He kept on pushing us to get the very best we could deliver. That was a good position to be in, because it meant whereas we might have settled in the past for one standard, this time we had someone outside the band insisting we could do it better."

So, what can we expect this time around from DragonForce? Li is unequivocal. "I'd say you can expect something heavier and also thrashier than we've been before. Yes, it is a different approach for us. But there's still a lot of the trademark DragonForce style present. When people say their new album is 'different', it can mean virtually anything. But what we've avoided is drastic change, which nobody wants." It's about evolution not revolution.

The album was recorded over a period of six months in various locations. "We did a lot of the sessions at Jens' own studios (Fascination) in Orebro and Varberg, Sweden. We'd start about 8am and go all the way through to something like 6pm. We also worked at studios in the UK. And I even did some guitar solos on the yacht owned by Zoltan Bathory from Five Finger Death Punch! "Changing the environment for recording does help, because the different atmospheres can inspire you. We also took breaks at some points, which again was a great help to us. It allows you to stand back and objectively listen to what you've done so far, and you can sometimes hear the way you can improve on what's already there."

There's one guest on the album. Trivium's Matt Heafy. "He does backing vocals on the songs 'The Game', 'No More' and 'Defenders'. We've become friends with the Trivium guys from touring together through the years. On a few songs, we wanted to add a different mix of melodic to extreme vocals, and Matt had the perfect voice for it. When we approached Matt, he immediately agreed to do it."

Another first on the album is the fact that the band have done a cover, the song in question being Johnny Cash's classic "Ring of Fire." "That was Sam's idea. And what we did was take the song and adapt it to the way we play. It's not a hard song to learn, but it is a challenge to do it well. Will we did it live? We shall have to see…"

The line-up that recorded this album is the same as the one responsible for "The Power Within," which means vocalist Mark Hudson (who made his recording debut in 2012) has bedded more comfortably into the band, while Vadim Pruzhanov is on keyboards and Frederic Leclercq is on bass. Dave Mackintosh plays drums on the album but he has subsequently left the band, being replaced by Gee Anzalone, hailing from Turin, Italy, and a graduate of the NAMM Music Academy of Milan.

"Dave just wants to do more progressive music, and that's not a problem for us. He leaves on good terms, and even suggested we contact Gee to replace him. We've gone through this situation before, changing a member of the band after an album's been done. And it's never been tough for us to bring someone new at that stage, and I'm sure we'll adapt this time with no problem."

With "Maximum Overload," DragonForce haven't so much reinvented themselves as reimagined their aspirations. The result is an album full of command, energy and vitality. It's got strength in depth and breadth. Sophistication allied to an attention to detail that goes beyond what's been done before.

"Just repeating the same thing is a waste of everyone's time. We all feel we've recorded something purposeful, for us and the fans."
Bio by Malcolm Dome
London. May 2014

"Maximum Overload" available via Metal Blade Records in the US August 19, 2014 and in Europe August 18.
 
'Maximum Overload' will be released on Standard CD, Special Edition CD with 5 bonus tracks and a bonus DVD, Digital, Vinyl and boxset/bundles.
 
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