DragonForce Announces Self-Titled Album and Single Hunger of the Beast

New Lineup and Vocal Transitions

The upcoming album, titled "Dragonforce," marks a significant shift for the pioneers of extreme Power Metal. This release will be the first to feature Alissa White‐Gluz as the band's frontwoman, a role she stepped into this past spring. Joining her on lead vocals is Alessio Garavello, a longtime friend and collaborator of the band for 25 years. Garavello is taking over the male vocal position previously held by Marc Hudson, who is temporarily stepping back from his duties with DragonForce due to an ongoing struggle with tinnitus.

The record also introduces Billy Wilkins on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. The rest of the lineup remains comprised of founding members and longtime musicians, including guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, drummer Gee Anzalone, and bassist Alicia Vigil. Together, the group is described as entering a new echelon of music-making that emphasizes speed and virtuosic prowess.

A New Era for the Band

The era of the new album begins with the single "Hunger of the Beast," which debuted alongside a live performance video. The track was written specifically to utilize the diverse vocal ranges and "double-sided skillsets" of both White-Gluz and Garavello. Co-founder Herman Li emphasized that the approach to this tenth record was as vital as their debut.

"Every time we begin making another album, we just think, 'Wow — I can't believe we're still doing what we love after all these years.' The approach of the tenth album is as important as the first one, or any of the albums, because the way we look at music is we're making a piece of art that's going to be frozen in time. We always try to use everything we've learned from our years of experience, and put that into the new music. This is unlike any DRAGONFORCE album you've ever heard, and unlike any metal albums out there. There's just nothing like it, and everyone listening will realize that straight away. We're not trying to be commercial. We're not trying to be popular. We're not trying to be famous. We make music because we want to make something that we love to hear and elevate our musicianship to the next level."

— Herman Li

Production and Creative Direction

Produced by Jens Bogren, the self-titled album was recorded across several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Sweden. The project is described as a reintroduction to the band's evolution, promising high energy and relentless speed while harkening back to their formative material. Alissa White-Gluz expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and the new musical direction.

"I have loved the entire process of making music with DRAGONFORCE. It's great to connect with such elite musicians and work together to really bring out the best of our respective styles. I think this new combo of speed and ferocity is refreshing and exciting. It's going to be so much fun to perform live."

— Alissa White-Gluz

Inhuman Rampage 20th Anniversary Tour

In addition to the new music, the band will launch its largest North American tour in more than two decades this fall. The "Inhuman Rampage 20th Anniversary Tour" celebrates the 2006 album that produced the platinum-selling hit "Through The Fire And Flames." The tour will visit 22 cities throughout November and December, featuring support from ENSIFERUM and RHAPSODY OF FIRE.

The tour production is set to include front-to-back performances of "Inhuman Rampage," previews of the new self-titled album, and the live debut of tracks such as "Cry For Eternity." This celebration follows the massive legacy of "Inhuman Rampage," which famously spent 23 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Founded in 1999 and based between London and Los Angeles, the Grammy-nominated band has reached a global audience through various media platforms. Beyond their music's fame as the "final boss" of Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock, the group has appeared in "Despicable Me 4," "Fortnite Festival," "Brawl Stars," and "Asphalt Legends." Over nearly three decades, they have shared stages with major acts such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slipknot, and Ozzy Osbourne, solidifying their place as pioneers in the metal genre.