DragonForce is a British power metal band from London, formed in 1999. The group is known for fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics, and a sound influenced by retro video games. The band has described its musical style as "extreme power metal".

The current lineup includes guitarists and founding members Herman Li and Sam Totman, vocalists Marc Hudson and Alissa White-Gluz, drummer Gee Anzalone, and bassist Alicia Vigil. Over the course of its history, the band has undergone multiple lineup changes. Former members include vocalist ZP Theart, keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov, drummer Dave Mackintosh, and bassist Frédéric Leclercq.

DragonForce has released nine studio albums, along with live albums, compilations, and video releases. The band's third studio album, "Inhuman Rampage" (2005), achieved gold certification in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Its lead single, "Through the Fire and Flames", became the band's best-known song and was featured in several video games, including "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock". The single "Heroes of Our Time" from the album "Ultra Beatdown" (2008) was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2009. The band has been associated with the group of prominent power metal acts sometimes referred to as the genre's "big four", alongside Helloween, Blind Guardian, and Sabaton.

DragonForce was founded in 1999 under the name DragonHeart by Sam Totman, Herman Li, and vocalist ZP Theart. Totman and Li had previously played together in the band Demoniac. The early lineup also included drummer Matej Setinc, bassist Steve Scott, and keyboardist Steve Williams. After several early personnel changes, including the departures of Setinc and Scott, the band recorded a demo release that contributed to its recognition within the independent power metal scene in the United Kingdom. In 2002, the band changed its name to DragonForce after discovering that another group was already using the name DragonHeart.

The band signed with Noise Records and released its debut album, "Valley of the Damned" (2003). The title track became one of the band's most recognized songs and remained a regular part of its live performances. The follow-up album, "Sonic Firestorm" (2004), featured a faster and more technically demanding style, supported by extensive touring. During this period, the band began using the term "extreme power metal" to describe its music.

In 2005, DragonForce signed with Roadrunner Records and released "Inhuman Rampage". The album expanded the band's international audience, with "Through the Fire and Flames" gaining particular recognition through its inclusion in rhythm-based video games. Bassist Adrian Lambert departed prior to the album's release and was replaced by Frédéric Leclercq, who became a full-time member in 2006.

The band's fourth studio album, "Ultra Beatdown" (2008), was followed by a global tour. The release included the single "Heroes of Our Time", which received a Grammy nomination. Touring activities during this period were affected in part by the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak, which led to postponements of scheduled performances in South America.

In 2010, DragonForce parted ways with vocalist ZP Theart, citing differences in musical direction. The band subsequently released its first live album, "Twilight Dementia" (2010), recorded during the "Ultra Beatdown" tour. In 2011, Marc Hudson was introduced as the new lead vocalist, making his live debut during performances supporting Iron Maiden.

The band's fifth studio album, "The Power Within" (2012), marked Hudson's first recorded appearance with the group. It was followed by "Maximum Overload" (2014), produced by Jens Bogren, and supported by international touring. During this period, drummer Dave Mackintosh left the band and was replaced by Gee Anzalone. The band also released a live video, "In the Line of Fire... Larger than Live", documenting a festival performance.

In 2016, DragonForce issued the compilation "Killer Elite: The Hits, The Highs, The Vids". The following year, the band released its seventh studio album, "Reaching into Infinity" (2017). During its promotion, keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov did not participate in touring activities and later confirmed his departure from the band.

The eighth studio album, "Extreme Power Metal", was released in 2019. Around this time, bassist Frédéric Leclercq left the group and was replaced for touring by several musicians before Alicia Vigil became the band's bassist, initially as a touring member in 2020 and later as a full-time member in 2022.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band paused touring and worked on new material, including parody recordings and collaborations. In 2023, DragonForce signed with Napalm Records and announced its ninth studio album, "Warp Speed Warriors", which was released in 2024. The band also contributed music to video games, including original compositions for "Beat Saber" and collaborations connected to "Brawl Stars".

In 2026, DragonForce announced that Alissa White-Gluz would join the band as a second lead vocalist, establishing a dual-vocalist lineup alongside Marc Hudson.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DragonForce

Studio albums Valley of the Damned (2003) Sonic Firestorm (2004) Inhuman Rampage (2005) Ultra Beatdown (2008) The Power Within (2012) Maximum Overload (2014) Reaching into Infinity (2017) Extreme Power Metal (2019) Warp Speed Warriors (2024)