Artist: DRAGONFORCE
Album: INHUMAN RAMPAGE (CD)

Release date: 2006
Media type: CD

London based Power Metal band for much of their early career known as DRAGONHEART, issuing a demo entitled 'Valley Of The Damned' under this former title. The band became operational during 1999 but upfront of signing to the Sanctuary label the band switched to DRAGONFORCE due to the plethora of acts brandishing similar titles.

For the band’s first rehearsals in October of 1999 DRAGONHEART employed a cast of Z.P. Theart on vocals, guitarists Herman ‘Shred’ Li and Sam Totman, both members of uprooted New Zealand Black Metal act DEMONIAC, New Zealand born bass player Steve Scott and Matej Setinc of DEMONIAC on the drums. With Setinc’s departure Peter Hunt briefly occupied the drum stool and the group also enrolled former DOG DAY SUNRISE keyboard player Steve Williams.

A demo entitled ‘Valley Of The Damned’ surfaced in June of 2000. These recordings would have the distinction of being produced by Karl Groom of THRESHOLD with Clive Nolan of PENDRAGON repute adding keyboard touches. DRAGONHEART bassist Steve Scott would join competitors SHADOWKEEP during 2000. Diccon Harper, previously a member of PHOENIX filled the vacancy that November. The band, brandishing an all new line-up, Williams having made his exit, supported both HALFORD and STRATOVARIUS in December of 2001. For these shows Vadim came in as the new keyboard player for the HALFORD gigs with just two days notice. Meantime Steve Williams forged the Symphonic Metal act POWER QUEST, pulling in not only former DRAGONFORCE bassist Steve Scott but also drawing into the fold Sam Totman, the guitarist maintaining a foot in both camps, and personnel from Italian Metal band ARTHEMIS.

Harper decamped in March of 2002. as the debut album emerged the DRAGONFORCE line-up then comprised vocalist Z.P.Theart, guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov, stand in bassist Adrian Lambert and drummer Didier Almouzni. The latter exited in June of 2003 just prior to an appearance at the 'Sweden Rock' festival. Christian Wirtl of Swedish act SOUL SOURCE as temporary replacement. Lambert was also announced as having joined the band full time.

DRAGONFORCE commenced recording of a new studio album in November, enrolling the BAL SAGOTH credited David Mackintosh on drums. Japanese dates in January of 2004 would see the band supporting veteran German act HELLOWEEN. An album release show at London's Underworld on 13th February 13 saw French label mates HEAVENLY as opening act. The band set 'Sonic Firestorm' as the title of their new record, slated for April. European dates in May saw the band as opening act for W.A.S.P. Although drummer Dave Mackintosh dislocated his elbow en route from Paris to the UK, putting him out of action for six weeks, the band displayed a true Dunkirk spirit by completing the rest of the tour with a drum machine. A further mishap came at the band's 'Gates of Metal' festival appearance in Hultsfred, Sweden on 31st July as Herman Li missed his plane, necessitating the band performing solely with Totman on guitar. DRAGONFORCE scheduled a headlining UK tour for October.

The band's 2005 live campaign opened with support shows to ANGRA in Greece during February. DRAGONFORCE then landed a major coup on the live front, being selected as opening act for IRON MAIDEN's European Summer festival dates in Poland, Italy and Greece. A headline UK tour tour, dubbed the 'Meet the Sonic Firestorm', was announced for September.

The band parted ways with bassist Adrian Lambert in October, pulling in Frederic Leclercq of HEAVENLY and MALADAPTIVE as temporary substitute. DRAGONFORCE made their U.S. live debut on 22nd November with a headlining show at the legendary CBGB's club in New York. That same month the band revealed they had signed a new recording deal with Roadrunner Records. European touring in February of 2006 across Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden and Germany found DRAGONFORCE supporting EDGUY. For shows in the UK, the roles were reversed, with EDGUY as the opening act.

TRACKLIST:

1. Through The Fire And Flames
2. Revolution Deathsquad
3. Storming The Burning Fields
4. Operation Ground And Pound
5. Body Breakdown
6. Cry For Eternity
7. The Flame Of Youth
8. Trail Of Broken Hearts

LINE-UP:

Z.P. Theart (vocals)
Herman Li (guitar)
Sam Totman (guitar)
Adrian Lambert (bass)
Vadim Pruzhano (keyboards)
David Mackintosh (drums)