The Booking Hall presents:
Dragonforce - SOLD OUT
Dragonforce + Power Quest
Entry Requirements: 16+ (ID Required)
Long running Grammy-nominated extreme melodic power metal band DragonForce are releasiing their seventh album, ‘Reaching Into Infinity’, on May 19. Once again recorded with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Soilwork), the producer extraordinaire who helmed the UK-based group’s now four-year-old previous record ‘Maximum Overload’, it will be available via earMUSIC in Europe, Metal Blade Records in the United States and Roadrunner in Japan.
‘Reaching Into Infinity’ introduces Italian drummer Gee Anzalone, who joined the band for their first ever ‘best-of’ collection, ‘Killer Elite: The Hits, The Highs, The Vids’, released in 2016. It’s the third DragonForce album to feature frontman Marc Hudson, whose reign at the mic now enters its sixth year.
“Marc is becoming more and more involved with the writing process, especially in the lyrics,” acknowledges guitarist Herman Li. “Mostly, though, these songs came from Frédéric [Leclercq, bassist] and Sam [Totman, guitarist].”
Musically speaking, ‘Reaching Into Infinity’ continues where DragonForce left off with ‘Maximum Overload’, the band’s faster material becoming even faster still, while the melodic parts head even further in that particular direction. The band offer no apologies for the inclusion of a 1980s rock-style ballad entitled ‘Silence’ and, at the other end of the spectrum, there’s even an 11-minute multi-tempoed monster called ‘The Edge Of The World’.
“‘The Edge Of The World’ is DragonForce’s longest ever song,” says Li proudly. “In some ways, this album is more epic than anything we’ve done before.”
‘The Edge Of The World’ is extremely ambitious, channelling growled vocals from Hudson and fusing them with a stunning arrangement that twists and turns like the proverbial dragon’s tail. The ’Force go prog-rock, anyone?
“Why not?” Li responds. “Marc’s favourite style of music is prog, and I’m a massive fan of Dream Theater, so there’s an element of that going on. With each album that we make, the band reveals more and more if its influences, constantly adding to what we can do.”
“We have proven that playing fast is something we were good at, so this time I wanted to bring even more diversity into our music,” Fred elaborates. “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 corresponds with the album’s highly impressive sleeve art, which features a dragon bursting through a wormhole into a hi-tech, futuristic cityscape.
“The dragon represents us – DragonForce – and a form of music that’s been around for a very long time, emerging into an outside world that’s infinitely more crazy and chaotic than it was ten years ago,” Li explains, using considerable understatement. “Everyone is saying that there’s no future and there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty, especially for younger people, but our music is an escape from it all.”
The bulk of the album was laid down at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden, though additional parts were cut in studios around the UK and in California. They had to be – “Since ‘Killer Elite’ it’s been non-stop for us,” Li comments.
Adds Leclercq: “We flew out, played a festival, headed back into the studio, then went back out again. It was very intense and 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.”
Expect many of these songs to become firm live favourites, particularly the super-fast ‘Midnight Madness’ (feted as the album’s second video track), when DragonForce hit the road again. As usual, their itinerary will take them to the four corners of the world.
Line Up
Dragonforce
Power Quest
Power Quest, the UK based melodic power metal band formed in 2001 by ex-Dragonforce keyboardist Steve Williams, are back after a 3 year absence from the scene. Well known for classic power metal albums such as “Neverworld” and “Magic Never Dies” the band are currently working on their 6th, as yet untitled album for release in 2017. Ahead of this a 3 track EP will be released in September 2016 entitled “Face the Raven”.
Alongside Steve Williams, renowned worldwide for his songwriting and keyboard skills, are guitarists Glyndwr Williams and Andy Kopczyk, Locking down the rhythm section are PQ veterans Paul Finnie and Rich Smith and the new voice of PQ is Ashley Edison, who also fronts the band Dendera.
2001: The Demo
The band entered Thin Ice studios in late 2001 to record demo versions of two tracks that would appear on the Wings of Forever album, namely Glory Tonight and Follow Your Heart. At the time the band had still not found a suitable vocalist so ZP agreed to handle vocals and thus continued the DF connection. The demo was very well received amongst the power metal community and led to the band signing a deal with Italian label Underground Symphony for the release of their debut album. 2002 - 2005: The first 3 albums During this period the band released 3 albums. Firstly “Wings of Forever” (2002), “Neverworld” (2004) and “Magic Never Dies” (2005). Each release saw a development in the style of the band, adding hard rock and progressive influences to the power metal cauldron. During this time the band played their first live shows including Bloodstock Festival, a UK tour with Threshold and a killer show in London with Dream Evil and Labyrinth.
2006 – 2009: End of Chapter 1
Many more live shows were undertaken during this period, the highlight being a 3 week European tour with Angra and Firewind during which the band gained an army of new followers. In 2008 the 4th record “Master of Illusion” was released to critical acclaim and featured some modern influences and a heavier production. Due to schedules and commitments the well known Anglo/Italian line up broke up in 2009 leaving Steve Williams as the sole remaining member.
2010 -2013: End of an Era
Having put together a new line up of the band, featuring current members Paul, Rich and Gav, Steve and the band headed into the studio in 2011 to record the 5th PQ opus “Blood Alliance”. The album was extremely well received and led to many calling it the best PQ record to date. In support of this album the band played many UK festivals including Bloodstock and Hammerfest, ventured out as a headliner to Europe for the first time and also embarked on a European tour with Freedom Call. Steve announced in early 2013 that the band would be no more, due to lack of financial support, after two farewell shows in the UK.
2016: Back for the Attack
April saw the official announcement of the return of Power Quest to active duty. Alongside founder member Steve Williams were Rich Smith (drums) and Paul Finnie (Bass) Taking up the lead vocal position in the band is Ashley Edison. Ash brings not only great vocals and frontman skills to the Quest but also a level of enthusiasm that will fire the band for many years to come!
In March 2017 Glyndwr Williams (ex- Triaxis) and Andy Kopczyk (I am I, Airstryke) were recruited as the new guitarists and the band headed to Rogue Studios in London in April to begin recording the 6th Power Quest album.
With shows planned all over the world this year, including Japan, USA and Sweden, it's set to be the busiest year ever for the band!
It’s time to put right what went wrong……the Quest must go on!