DragonForce: Live Playing 'Through The Roof' Since Having In-Ear Monitors

In recent years, one band has proved particularly divisive in the guitar sphere: DragonForce. Either you love DragonForce's music, or you loathe their material with a passion. Much discussion has centred on the group's live performances, and whether they can replicate studio performances in that setting, earning them the moniker "StudioForce" from more cynical quarters. Some have been satisfied by DragonForce's performances, whereas others have not. Obviously, some have made their judgements based on select YouTube footage. Of course, views on DragonForce's live performances are for the readers of "Hit The Lights" to decide (feel free to share your thoughts). Whatever opinions certain quarters have, few can argue with the band's unwavering popularity, and in this interviewer's opinion, those boys can indeed play.

To date, DragonForce has issued four albums, namely: 2003's "Valley Of The Damned", 2004's "Sonic Firestorm", 2006's "Inhuman Rampage", and 2008's "Ultra Beatdown". Karl Groom as well as guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman produced and mixed, the album being recorded at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey, UK, and LamerLuser and BATMAM Studios in London. Mike Jussila, meanwhile, handled mastering at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland, whereas "Android" Jones designed "Ultra Beatdown"'s artwork in San Francisco. "Ultra Beatdown"'s first single, "Heroes Of Our Time", was nominated for the "Best Metal Performance" Grammy at the 51st Grammy Awards.

Touring for "Ultra Beatdown" has been extensive. From early July 2008 to mid August, DragonForce toured North America as part of the Mayhem Festival, as well as the United Kingdom from late September to mid October. Late October saw the outfit tour Australia, whereas from November until late December, DragonForce toured North America once again. From late January 2009 to early March, the group toured Europe, visiting Japan and South East Asia from late March to mid April, and subsequently South America from mid April to mid May. European festival shows occurred from late May to early September. Late September to mid October is when final North American shows for the album will happen, the same occurring in Germany from mid October until late October, in South America during early November, and the United Kingdom from mid November until mid December.

On September 28th at roughly 19:05 GMT, guitarist Herman Li telephoned Hit The Lights' Robert Gray to discuss DragonForce's career.

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

The band formed under the name Dragonheart in September 1999. Could you tell me about that?

It's nothing special. I played guitar, and just like any kid that plays guitar for a few years, tried to start a band and play. Nothing extraordinary happened. I guess we started playing in September, or October 1999. We changed our band name to DragonForce before we released our first album, 'Valley of the Damned', and we've been going ever since.

When DragonForce originally formed, was DragonForce just another band? In that respect, I mean you didn't expect what would happen over the next ten years?

We just wanted to have fun, play some gigs, and hopefully release an album, and sign a record deal. It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world. We just wanted to have some fun.

And obviously, you knew guitarist Sam Totman from another group (Demoniac).

Yeah, we played together in another band.

Demoniac was a black metal group, so was there a reason why DragonForce opted to change gears musically?

No. I joined that band - it was already going before I was in the band. We just decided to play this type of music because we like this type of music really.

So DragonForce's music was more from the group's heart?

Yeah. The other band was more of a joke really. It wasn't a serious band.

"It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world."

In 2000, DragonForce recorded the demo 'Valley of the Damned' (issued under the name "Dragonheart").

The first demo was just like any old band's first demo. We decided to record five songs, and then we released it. We had a really good response from the demo, and made quite a bit of money from mp3.com. We got over half a million downloads from just one website (mp3.com), so that was a good start for the band. We had some shows; we played with bands like Stratovarius, and toured with Halford. That was a long time ago now.

And what was it like to support the likes of Halford?

It was great back then. That was our first tour, and even though it was a mini-tour, it was a great thing. Obviously back then, compared to now, we're a totally different band with totally different people. We've grown and changed a lot, and have improved as musicians.

Was there a point in DragonForce's history where you felt "Yeah, we're onto something special here"?

I think that type of feeling has to happen all the time. You constantly make music and constantly evolve, and me, I'm not one of those people who think one instance has changed my life. It's not just one moment, but a continuation of them - different times in your life that make you early on, and make things happen. When we made 'Sonic Firestorm', I thought it was amazing, and when we made 'Ultra Beatdown', I thought "Wow, this is so cool. This is the best thing ever".

In 2002, DragonForce signed a record contract with Sanctuary / Noise. How did that record deal come to fruition?

It took a long time, actually. We finished writing the album 'Valley of the Damned' back in 2001, early 2001 - we'd already finished the album, writing it. We had been negotiating since 2000. Think about that.. And then, we released the album in 2003. For us, it was a really long process, but we played loads of gigs and so on. We wanted to get enough experience before going on a recorded band tour, if that makes any sense (laughs).

Yeah, I'm with you. At that time, were any other record deals on the table?

Yeah. We talked to other record labels at the same time, but that was the best deal for us.

So the group didn't become frustrated with how long it took to negotiate a record deal, and eventually release the 'Valley of the Damned' album?

Some of the guys in the band did, but I didn't really care. I was handling the deal, and thought "Why would you sign your life away straight away?". You have to be careful, because if you just rush in, the terms of the record deal could make a big difference. We're still on that same deal right now.

That's a good point, actually. Debut album 'Valley of the Damned' was recorded in mid to late 2002, and then issued in January 2003. What feedback did 'Valley of the Damned' receive?

'Valley of the Damned' received good feedback. We were still a small band, so the amount of people hearing it wasn't that much. The album did really well in Japan, and ok in Europe, for a debut album. For a debut, they said the band really was received well. We toured 'Valley of the Damned' in Japan with Helloween, so that was cool. We did what we wanted to do, which was to go on tour. We went to Japan, and were just a couple of guys having fun.

How would you compare the production on the demo 'Valley of the Damned' to the production on debut album 'Valley of the Damned'?

The production is totally different. The demo was recorded in four or five days I think, whereas the album was recorded in I don't know how long, but longer than that. A month, two months maybe. I don't know. You can't really compare the sound. They're nothing to do with each other.

During the recording process for DragonForce's debut, did you learn a lot?

Yeah. To be honest, I learn a lot while recording every album, from the last one, all the way to the first one and obviously the demo. I'm constantly learning, and believing. I'm learning every part of, let's say, the art of making music.

Obviously, plans have been announced to release a remastered version of 'Valley of the Damned'. At present, where are those plans at?

Well actually, 'Valley of the Damned''s re-release isn't a remaster, but a total remix. We remixed the whole album because back then, as a young band we didn't have enough budget to mix the album exactly how we wanted it to be mixed. Now we're technically more experienced, and have learned more things, we've remixed 'Valley of the Damned' and remastered it. Remastering the album means nothing to me - the whole thing is about the mix. That whole album was totally remixed and remastered, and has bonus DVD footage and everything. That's coming out in January along with 'Sonic Firestorm', which'll also have bonus DVD material.

Was DragonForce's busy schedule the reason why those re-releases were postponed?

No. We were ready - I finished that project before we released 'Ultra Beatdown' (laughs). Sanctuary was being bought out by Universal Music, and that was the problem. We were releasing another album, as well.

Some of DragonForce's early festival shows were at the likes of Bloodstock and Sweden Rock. What were those early festival shows like?

Bloodstock was fun, and ensured that we had some fans early on as an underground band. Sweden Rock was a total disaster because our drummer had left two days before the show, but DragonForce never cancels a show. Even today, we always say we never cancel a show. We just had a fan to play the drums onstage, and obviously, that didn't work. No rehearsal, nothing, but hey, we never cancelled the show (laughs). To be honest, I don't know if it was clever, or if it was completely stupid. We didn't really care though; we're here to play the show, and we'll do whatever we can to make the show happen. I think that's been happening for years and years. On the 'Inhuman Rampage' tour even, we played shows where we couldn't hear anything of what we played. Nothing was set up well. The guitar - we couldn't hear it. It was fucked. We played the shows though. No point in sitting there, moaning and bitching. The result was that some shows weren't perfect, but we still played a show, regardless of moaning. So many bands moan, and say "Oh, this sounds shit. We're not playing" blah blah blah. We'll just fucking play anyway. I've done a whole show without even hearing my guitar, because as long as you do the show for the fans, it doesn't matter. There's no bitching and complaining about "Oh, I can't hear my sound", or "Oh, I can't hear the guitar".

It's a lot more difficult playing a show where you can't hear your guitar.

Well, the Graspop Metal Meeting of 2006 was another total disaster. The technician we had back then didn't even tune the guitar, and no monitoring was done properly. We didn't hear anything, but hey, fuck. You have to get onstage now. This is the festival. You have to take twenty-five to thirty minutes, and just go for it. You can't stop because once you stop, you lose another song because the schedule is so tight on the bill. You just have to do it. If you can't hear the guitar, you can't play technically. You rely on everything, just like when you think of your fingers going onto the fretboard. Hey, at the end, fuck. The fans will enjoy it better than you not playing.

I agree. DragonForce's second album was 2004's 'Sonic Firestorm'. How did 'Sonic Firestorm' improve upon debut album 'Valley of the Damned'?

When 'Sonic Firestorm' came out, that was the best album we could make. In 2004, it was so good, and really took the band to the next level. When 'Valley of the Damned' came out, it felt old; we had played that album's songs so many times, we didn't really care. We felt 'Sonic Firestorm' was really fresh for us, and I thought it defined the DragonForce sound - the beginning of the original DragonForce sound. That album did well; we toured with Iron Maiden, and did a lot of touring in Europe. Yeah, that was a successful tour. We went to many cool places for that one.

DragonForce went on a Japanese tour with Helloween, a European tour with W. A. S. P., UK tours, and then some European dates with Iron Maiden. Would you say that was the first time the group had been on a proper touring schedule?

Yeah, that was really. That was our first, real touring experience, and it was great fun, but was equally hard. At that time, we still didn't have a manager - I still booked the flights, and dealt with all those issues. For a long time, the band had to do lots of work at the same time. We were still this band that came out of the garage, and just toured stadiums suddenly with Iron Maiden. I thought "Wow", you know? So many kids who grow up playing guitar want to do that, and for us, it was like "Wow, we can experience this. This is amazing".

As you mentioned, you initially handled managerial duties. When DragonForce recruited a manager, did that take a lot off of your shoulders?

Yeah. That didn't happen until the second half of 'Inhuman Rampage''s tour dates (laughs). Even when we began to tour 'Inhuman Rampage', I was still handling all those things, and that was just way too much. 'Inhuman Rampage' became really, really big, and that's what pulled the band forward. We weren't as ready as we thought we were; we became big in America and everything, and it was lots of stress. As I mentioned earlier - Graspop 2006. I had to do a million things before that show, so I just had to run around, pick up my guitar, go onstage, run off to collect money, and shit like that, so it was really hard. I learnt from my mistakes. We started really from the bottom; we didn't have all these people helping us, like a crew. I had to find every single person, from the guitar person to whoever, so it was very hard to have a totally professional production to help the band move forward.

For 'Inhuman Rampage', DragonForce signed a record contract with Roadrunner Records. How did that record deal come to fruition?

It's quite simple; Mike Gitter in New York sent me an email via the website (laughs).

"We just took everything that we can further really, in terms of songwriting, production, and everything."

And DragonForce felt that Roadrunner Records was a good fit?

Yeah. Back then, the problem we had before we signed to Roadrunner was nobody really believed in us that much. We signed to Roadrunner for 'Inhuman Rampage', and across all the territories we were signed to Roadrunner for, the band became successful. We finally got lots of interviews, promotion, help and everything, and made our first music video too. We were finally able to do it. We're not signed to Roadrunner worldwide, but only in certain countries. Roadrunner do a really amazing job, but they don't interfere with our music. Everything is DragonForce, from the songwriting to the image of the band, as opposed to what people think on the internet about how DragonForce changed its sound for Roadrunner. That's absolute bullshit, because we finished recording the album 'Inhuman Rampage' back in September 2005, and we hadn't even signed to Roadrunner yet (laughs).

Midway through recording sessions for 'Inhuman Rampage', bassist Adrian Lambert left. What prompted his departure?

First of all, it wasn't going to work between us and him. People have their different priorities in life, and you just have to move on. He has a family and kids, so he's had to deal with that. As for the rest of us, we do whatever we want in our own time, but other than that, we just concentrate on the music.

Can the same be said for DragonForce's two bassists (Diccon Harper and Steve Scott) prior to Adrian Lambert?

No, not really. I just don't like to discuss this kind of past, because who cares? But no, before Adrian, Diccon suffered a tendon problem that required surgery. He couldn't really play anymore. There's no problem with him whatsoever; he loved touring, and was a touring musician. Before that, with Steve Scott, it just wasn't going to work out with me and him in the band.

Looking back, what are your thoughts on 'Inhuman Rampage'?

Looking back, that album was really over the top. 'Inhuman Rampage' is a real shred fest, and we really, really had lots of fun recording that album. It did really well, and was the album that broke the band worldwide. We became rock stars I guess; we were getting recognised on the streets in America, and all over the place. 'Inhuman Rampage' was a good album. We spent lots of time recording, soloing, and practising really hard on guitar on that one (laughs).

And you mentioned 'Inhuman Rampage' being a shred fest.

Yeah, yeah. Actually, you know what's weird about that album? We practised so hard to make and record 'Inhuman Rampage' that when touring started, it was impossible to play the guitar. There was absolutely no time whatsoever for us to practice or play the guitar, other than playing the show. It seemed like non-stop interviews every moment. Your bus arrives, you do interviews, you do the soundcheck, you eat, and then you go onstage. You really couldn't play the guitar that time (laughs).

(Laughs) Did that bring criticism from certain quarters? Certain people might've said "When you see DragonForce live, they can't play what they can play in the studio".

Yeah. That's what I meant. That album is when DragonForce wasn't ready in terms of the infrastructure in the back office, let's say, for the band to go that big. We were becoming so big, and we just weren't ready. At that time, we just started having management midway through, and really tried to work out a crew, a truck and so on. The touring schedule was so brutal, and all the interviews.. We just weren't ready, I think. We got big too quickly (laughs). Yeah so that took its toll on us. We did some really good shows - some of the shows for 'Inhuman Rampage' were really good. Midway through, an Ozzfest festival show in the Michigan area was pretty bad, yeah.

What are your memories of the 2006 Ozzfest then?

I thought Ozzfest 2006 was a good tour. It seemed we were the only band there that had never really played America (laughs). DragonForce was really gaining recognition worldwide. We even did a television show, but that was a disaster because Sam fell over, and the guitar went out, meaning there were a few things we couldn't play. Actually, I've learnt that the reason why we receive so much hate and have been called StudioForce is because at that time in the band's career, the only available videos of the band live were the shittest performances - like Graspop 2006. It's funny when I see such footage - I go "Oh my God, this is fucking horrible", but how do you play without hearing the guitar? The band couldn't hear anything. And shows like live on TV - Sam tripped over, and the guitar went out of tune. We began to play, but the lead sounded out of tune. These were the only things people could see when they searched for "DragonForce live", or ""Through the Fire and Flames"". That did a lot of bad things to us, but we're still here at the moment.

For 'Inhuman Rampage', DragonForce toured across the world. In October 2007 though, 'Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock' was released, which you've probably been asked about hundreds of times.

One thing that I can tell you about is obviously one of the causes of the hatred we get these days. People say "Fuck DragonForce, Guitar Hero III, and all that shit", but a lot of people only listen to one or two songs, and make a judgement on the whole fucking band's career (laughs). We had sold out tours for 'Inhuman Rampage' way before 'Guitar Hero III' even came out; we did the Ozzfest, and three sold out tours in America before 'Guitar Hero III' came out, so all that sort of happened while we weren't touring anymore (laughs).

Do you feel that "Through the Fire and Flames"' inclusion on 'Guitar Hero III' helped DragonForce's success, or not?

The way I see it right now? We're in 2009 now, so it's been awhile. The 'Guitar Hero' thing got us some recognition, and obviously, it also made us a lot of money, but long term wise, is it good for a metal band with diehard fans? Does it deter fans away, or? What happens? You can't really weigh up the good and the bad, because obviously, negativity happened from the 'Guitar Hero' thing as well. It's hard to weigh. I think it scared a lot of the diehard fans, and later, a lot of people came to the shows who didn't really know a song except "Through the Fire and Flames". Yeah, this whole 'Guitar Hero' thing is strange.

Would you describe DragonForce's relationship with 'Guitar Hero' as a love / hate relationship?

I think that love / hate relationship was there before anyway, because we play the kind of music where people have said "What the fuck is this shit?" for years (laughs). It's nothing unusual. There's all kinds of weird people, people that say "Fuck DragonForce. This is shit. Steve Vai is better". Obviously, yeah (laughs). Steve Vai's been playing for way longer. Even us playing guitar solos causes a problem now, as though we shouldn't be doing them. With everything we do, there's some kind of problem. As long as you do what you want to do though, it doesn't matter.

DragonForce followed up 'Inhuman Rampage' with August 2008's 'Ultra Beatdown', the group's latest album.

Yeah. Technically, 'Ultra Beatdown' is the band's most successful album. It went up the charts around the world, and we were in the top twenty and the top ten in certain countries. In the album charts - I don't mean the rock charts. We've been touring ever since we did the Mayhem tour with Slipknot and Disturbed last July , and we're still touring it right now. Technically, 'Ultra Beatdown' has been much more successful than 'Inhuman Rampage'.

Musically speaking, how would you compare 'Ultra Beatdown' to 'Inhuman Rampage'? Obviously, 'Inhuman Rampage' had ultra fast shred, so where did DragonForce want to venture from there in recording 'Ultra Beatdown'?

'Ultra Beatdown' is a much more dynamic album. Of course, there's fast things in there, but there's also lots of tempo changes. The album is much more dynamic in terms of songwriting and composition. 'Inhuman Rampage' was just shred-shred-shred all the time, whereas 'Ultra Beatdown' has much more different changes, slow parts, really melodic parts, and really great vocals. Again, we've taken the keyboards to a new level; we're not topped too much by the keyboards, so I think we got some really good riffs in. We just took everything that we can further really, in terms of songwriting, production, and everything.

Is 'Ultra Beatdown' DragonForce's best album to date?

I really think so. Looking back on our previous albums, before we work on our albums, we see how we'll approach a given album. We didn't want to make another 'Inhuman Rampage', but we didn't want to write another 'Valley of the Damned' because we've grown so much. 'Inhuman Rampage' is like 'Sonic Firestorm', in that it's the next version up. 'Ultra Beatdown' is the next version up of 'Inhuman Rampage', but without sounding too much like that album. That's why 'Ultra Beatdown' is much more dynamic, like "The Last Journey Home", which is our first long, slow, epic, mid tempo type of song with fast bits at the end. "Reasons to Live"'s instrumental section is different than what we've ever done before, and "Heroes Of Our Time" has lots of tempo changes too.

Entering the touring schedule for 'Ultra Beatdown', would you say that DragonForce was much more prepared and everything, and had learnt lessons from touring 'Inhuman Rampage'?

From top to bottom, and with every single show, the 'Ultra Beatdown' tour has been pretty much consistent, almost perfect playing and everything. With 'Inhuman Rampage', some of the tours were fucking great, but sometimes, there were always one or two shows that were shit. To be honest, I've read a lot of things on the internet, though I've stayed away from the internet, YouTube and all this stuff for awhile. I only started reading it pretty much six months ago, or maybe about a year ago, and then I saw all these comments. I thought "Oh, fuck me. What's going on here?". People say this and that, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to one secret. I'll tell you. The secret for the success of 'Ultra Beatdown' is, above everything else, having a great crew to make the shows happen, who keep everything in tune, and everything set up well. Since touring 'Ultra Beatdown', we can even hear the monitors now, and that makes pretty much hundreds, hundreds of difference in terms of our playing. We can finally hear what we're playing wherever we go onstage, and we're known to be a band that runs around onstage, jumps around, and goes to the left part of the stage, the right part, the middle - everywhere. When you walk around, sometimes you can't hear your amp, and when you can't hear but play guitar, you know what it's like. Not hearing and playing guitar is very difficult; you play guitar out of key, and sometimes you just can't hear it.

Since we've had in-ear monitors, our playing has gone through the roof. Again, boom.

For those that may not have visited DragonForce's website, what are the group's current touring plans?

We're pretty much in the last stage of touring now, so December will be the end of us touring 'Ultra Beatdown'. We've done so many shows in a concentrated amount of time - we're on our fourth US tour right now (laughs). At the end of the US leg, we'll tour Germany, South America, and then will finish off in the UK. We always like to finish back at home, and we'll be playing all over the place, places that we've never played before. The economy isn't amazing. Even the trains are a rip-off in the UK, so we're going to the fans now.

Has DragonForce written any material for a fifth studio album?

No. We haven't had time. It hasn't been possible. If you've seen the schedule we've had to go through, then you'll know we have no time to do anything on tour. We have to stop touring to make a new album.

So basically, DragonForce will stop touring in December, will spend time at home for Christmas, and then will begin writing and recording a new album next year?

Yeah. We'll start writing next year.

"We just wanted to have fun, play some gigs, and hopefully release an album, and sign a record deal."

In terms of DragonForce's fifth studio album, are there any musical directions you would possibly like to venture in?

I don't want to give too much away. We've spoken about it, and thought about it. We'll get the music written first though. Things change all the time, as DragonForce is very dynamic.

Obviously, DragonForce will want to incorporate new things. In terms of the band's fifth studio album though, would you prefer the album to be more in the vein of 'Ultra Beatdown', or 'Inhuman Rampage'?

Neither really. We won't go in the vein of any of our previous albums. We'll go in a new vein for our next album, the next evolution of the band. We never try to reproduce one of our previous albums. We'll try to take elements from all of our previous albums with new elements. That's the idea - a mixture. 'Ultra Beatdown' is a mix of 'Sonic Firestorm' and 'Inhuman Rampage'. A little bit (laughs).

What do you feel the future holds for DragonForce?

I don't know. It's hard to say really. Young musicians want to play in a band, but the world is changing so fast these days for a musician with the CD, mp3, and all these things. We don't know what's going to happen. Will there even be musicians in future? Will people still want to play guitar? I don't know. It's a weird thing. I know DragonForce still has a few albums left to record, and we'll just keep improving. The guitar playing and being in a band thing is so massive to learn, whether it be learning to record, learning to play onstage, learning about equipment onstage, or the whole touring thing. We're still constantly improving, and every time DragonForce releases an album and goes on tour, we're always getting better.

Do you have a message for the fans of DragonForce?

Yeah. Thanks for this serious interview, which I guess is a long one. People should check the interview out, and read it. Check out our new stuff on www.dragonforce.com, and www.youtube.com/dragonforceofficial. See you on tour. There's not really much else to say, apart from that.

Ok. Thanks for the interview Herman. It's really appreciated.

Thanks. No problem.

All the best.

Ok. Take care.

You too. Bye.

Bye.

Interview by Robert Gray
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2009

Comments

[MaidenandEddy]

Seems like a sound guy. And he has a point - they were very tight when I saw them last year, a lot tighter than the videos on YouTube suggest.

[[Azrael]]

Awesome

[Jay2007]

First. Well, as much as I dislike dragonforce, Herman Ri seems like a pretty decent guy

[samlocke14]

i think this should be a big "shut the **** up" to all the anti-dragonforce bandwagoners.

[Rockon914]

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

does UG really have to add this part of the conversation to all their interviews?

[drawnacrol]

Well this should shut up all the haters if they take the time to stop bitching and actually read the interview

[WishfulShredder]

now that the reasons to their live shittiness have been explained, I feel somewhat more sympathetic to dragonforces' case.

although, this doesnt stop every song of theirs sounding EXACTLY the same.

[darksauce]

doesn't sound like the douche everyone else makes him out to be. thats what i like to hear

good interview, keep it up !

[Daneeka]

Wow, he sounds like a cool guy, their music is not my type, but the guy is cool.

[Darkpagey]

Fair play to him. He knows there is hate out there for his band but gets on with it. To be honest i don't like their music, but my respect for them has just gone up!

[Plarx]

+1 to Herman. Tops bloke it seems...

[Conformist]

It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world.

Does this imply he thinks he's in the greatest band in the world?

[lord_abyssium]

Conformist wrote:

It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world.

Does this imply he thinks he's in the greatest band in the world?

no, just that he probably never expected dragonforce to get as popular as they did

[littlephil]

Darkpagey wrote:

Fair play to him. He knows there is hate out there for his band but gets on with it. To be honest i don't like their music, but my respect for them has just gone up!

I agree totally. I've only ever really listened to Inhuman Rampage, I should check out some of their other stuff, but Inhuman Rampage isnt really my type of music.

[nico42]

It would be totally awesome if all the l's in Herman Ri's answers would've been replaced with r's..

I don't hate them. I don't like their music, so I just don't care about them or how they are live. The only people who should be pissed if they suck live are those who like their music - everyone else really needs to shut up.

[random-emo-kill]

im still sure they speed up their stuff in studio...at least through the fire and the flames sounded that way...

[devilex121]

Darkpagey wrote:

Fair play to him. He knows there is hate out there for his band but gets on with it. To be honest i don't like their music, but my respect for them has just gone up!

yes
i feel he's said a lot of honest things here

[Green_Jelly]

I saw them live at the 2006 Graspop festival. This explains a lot. That show was awful. Not the biggest fan myself, but I don't hate 'em.

[alliwant]

A good interview I reckon. Goes a long way to explain their poor live reputation, because I've played shows not being able to hear anything and it's an absolute pain in the arse.

Hope they keep going for a few more years

[Adam124]

Their music isn't my cup of tea although i do respect this guy

[Yerjam]

Rockon914 wrote:

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

does UG really have to add this part of the conversation to all their interviews?

+1 I never understood that.

[BloodBound]

I think thats really REALLY ironic! "All DragonForce songs sound the same :'(" ...suffice to say; how many thousand people have said that exact same aforequoted thing?

/facepalm

[itstheman]

Didn't know they had to deal with so much shit for touring. Props to them for really doing the right thing every time.

[Sorniyamiro]

Nice interview :3

[Nameless742]

Great Interview.
I'm not a massive fan of dragonforce but I'm glad Herman Li's had a say on his band to sort out the haters.
You can tell he's worked hard rather than what the haters have been stating.

[Toxtoth_O_Grady]

BloodBound wrote:

I think thats really REALLY ironic! "All DragonForce songs sound the same :'(" ...suffice to say; how many thousand people have said that exact same aforequoted thing?

/facepalm

Thats not irony, thats just amusing co-incidence ...

But, yeah, it seems interesting to get his perspective. I still don't care for the songs themselves, but at least now I can know a little more about the people - even if this was a bit of a latent puff piece xD

[dobby240]

Rockon914 wrote:

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

does UG really have to add this part of the conversation to all their interviews?

i was just about to say that

[estranged_2003]

Yerjam wrote:

Rockon914 wrote:

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

does UG really have to add this part of the conversation to all their interviews?

+1 I never understood that.

I think that is added so no-one can say that UG edit any interviews and everything that is said in the interview is posted

[AidanTDR]

Conformist wrote:

It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world.

Does this imply he thinks he's in the greatest band in the world?

seen them twice now, they were really tight both times, except sam was drunk at both and cocked up one of his solos, but even still, they put on such a good show on both occasions!
really good interview.

[ThEcOnQuIsTaDoR]

they were good when i saw them on the mayhem fest. im glad that he explained why they couldnt play any inhuman rampage songs after the album came out.

[c0m2011]

regardless of what I think of some of their songs... He seems like an alright guy.

checked

[--Matt--]

Nice interview!

[Zero_Mike]

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

I kinda like having that in there. Makes the interview seem a little more down to earth.

Herman Li seems like a pretty decent guy, and after reading this interview, I respect the band a lot more.

[Glufius]

Fucking love the fact how they look back and laugh at the misshappenings that's all over their carear.
DragonForce Rocks!

[RR24Metul]

WishfulShredder wrote:

now that the reasons to their live shittiness have been explained, I feel somewhat more sympathetic to dragonforces' case.

although, this doesnt stop every song of theirs sounding EXACTLY the same.

i agree 100%

[wesselbindt]

MaidenandEddy wrote:

Seems like a sound guy. And he has a point - they were very tight when I saw them last year, a lot tighter than the videos on YouTube suggest.

Hermans technique has improved A LOT. His improv and their songs still bore me though.

[Guitar2theface]

Listening to one of their newer videos live, they play pretty well, but I still don't like their music and their singer is off key at times.

[bag some game]

I have only seen them live once and it was god awful. but a mate saw them live after me on their next tour and he said they were great, so maybe they picked up their game. Either way Herman comes across as a cool guy. doesn't pretend he's the next Paul Gilbert and he got more respect from me

[flame843]

lol @ the implication that any of Dragonforce's albums are stylistically different

[BigZman95]

I don't like Dragonforce or Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, personally.

[metalhead_c-1]

This was a good interview that hopefully will get the Dragonforce hate to a minimum. I have never had any problem with the band except for the fact that when I listened to "Ultra Beatdown" all the songs sounded the same.

[maidenfan15]

I don't like their music, but Herman seems like a good guy.

[COBHC_Erick429]

flame843 wrote:

lol @ the implication that any of Dragonforce's albums are stylistically different

U must not listen to them very often then. VOTD and a good chunk of SF were more of that old school power metal feel (dragons, swords, etc.) where-as their newer cd's are more of the modern power metal (i.e Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica). They all sound different.

[Wolfinator-x]

I f*cking hate haters

\m/, Keep rockin' guys!

Checked.

[Wolfinator-x]

I think it would be healthy for all the haters to read this interview.

DF would have a good reputation again!

[Religulous]

Wolfinator-x wrote:

I think it would be healthy for all the haters to read this interview.

DF would have a good reputation again!

Not entirely. I still think a lot of their songs sound the same and this interview doesn't change the fact that their creativity and originality is so low

[MetalFan09]

playing no matter what for the fans - what a legend

[Ikonoklast]

I don't believe any band can't hear what they're playing. Even so, if you can hear a drummer and know the song you should be able to keep time/play in key. It all sounds like an excuse for not being a tight live band.

[Snake™]

I respect Herman more now.

Thank you for the interview UG.

[ChucklesMginty]

random-emo-kill wrote:

im still sure they speed up their stuff in studio...at least through the fire and the flames sounded that way...

Oh come on...

You really think a major label would sign a band who's sped up their recordings?

They posted all these awesome live vids on there YT channel earlier this year. Can't wait to see them on the next tour.

[bloodtrocuted93]

Saw them last night. Really fun live.

[Night_Warrior]

Ikonoklast wrote:

I don't believe any band can't hear what they're playing. Even so, if you can hear a drummer and know the song you should be able to keep time/play in key. It all sounds like an excuse for not being a tight live band.

But they are good live. I think what Herman didnt mention was the Booze. I know Sam, Fredric, Zippy, and Vadim have alot to drink, Im not sure about Herman, I think he dose though. They have cut down on alchoul consumption abit and have much better technitions. Either way, I always thought he was a cool guy, they all are.

[Paramecium302]

lmao at the headline pic

[Pat_s1t]

MaidenandEddy wrote:

Seems like a sound guy. And he has a point - they were very tight when I saw them last year, a lot tighter than the videos on YouTube suggest.

Yeah, I saw em last year during the final stop of Mayhem Fest, and they played really well. I don't lke DragonForce personally, but I don't like how people keep judging them by the most popular (and worst) performances on Youtube.

[hanselrocks1]

sounds like a good guy. dragonforce would be awesome if they could hit their live performance close to studio. but the guitars sound ok live and the singing is what brings me to not like the live dragonforce

[UMSLdragon]

I got to see the Live and they were amazing. Many told me that they would sound good and that mumbo jumbo. Totally not true. They were great. Taking Dawn (new band out there) and Sonata Artica opened for them and they were equally amazing. (Adds two to fav bands lol)

Have you ever played a very large concert loud without monitors? No you can't hear what you playin cause the sound doesn't bounce back fast enough to hear or doesn't bounce back at all. The level they're playing, there is no way that they can be one hundred percent accurate. I can play most of my notes on my bass from memory if I can't hear myself, but it's ridiculously difficult and annoying. So be careful what you say.

I met with Herman Li after the concert and yes, he's a great guy. He wasn't tanked like Sam rolf. That was funny trying to talk to Sam. ZP (singer) never came out, don't know where he went, Herman is a very nice guy. So down to earth that I forgot to get a singature from him lol. Fred (bassist) is a gas. So funny and nice man as well. Got his signature (obviously). Sam was tanked and was just funny. Their pianist/fx/whatever-guy didn't really want to talk with anyone and got out of there pretty quick. Polite though. The drummer (forget his name) is an extremely nice guy. He talked to my friend about drums and shared how he became a drummer and his likes and dislikes. He strikes me as a family man lol. I think he has a little girl and lovely wife. Both pure guseses, I have no idea if he's even married. But such a nice man. I would defiantly go to another concert just to hang out and chat with them. I could have that night cause they went to a pub later, but my friends couldn't get in lol.

So that's my experience with DF. For those that don't like their music, that's ok. Can't like everything. And I personally think that every band kind of will always sound the same because they have their only style they like to play and they'll play it that way. Every band, IMO, will always play the same sounding music because that is who they are and that's what they like to play.

I recommend listening to Reasons to Live, A Flame for Freedom, Hero's of Our Time, Above the Winter Moonlight, and the Warrior Inside. I think those songs are as diverse as you can get from DF. THat's my opinion and I like those songs. Most come from Ultra BeatDown, but it's a good album.

I'm really thankful for this interview as it explains a lot to me about the band. My thanks to UG. I'm defiantly going to more concerts lol. The mash pits was amazing :P

Peace,
UMSL

[Poglia]

I don't like Dragonforce so much, but Herman Li is a cool guy and a very good guitarist. A few years ago they were not good live, I agree, but now they are way better an can play their songs (which are definitely not easy) fluently.

In my opinion, the singer is the worst thing in the band. Guitars are more than ok.

[Cafas]

It's sugary sweet music, and it just gets to the point where you've got to admit you like them for superficial reasons, because they're not innovative or unique in any way whatsoever, especially compared to the bands they're aping. Most power metal is flowery anyways, but this is as pop as 'extreme' metal gets.

[IDoCocaine]

I don't believe any band can't hear what they're playing. Even so, if you can hear a drummer and know the song you should be able to keep time/play in key. It all sounds like an excuse for not being a tight live band.

It's very possible to not be able to hear yourself while playing a show, and it makes things more difficult than you think.

[Cafas]

Yeah, seriously, if you don't have proper monitoring and levels, that's a game killer right there. It doesn't matter how well they know the songs if they can't at least here what the kick drum is doing. You don't have to 'believe' it, but that doesn't make it untrue.

[AudioDemon]

If you have seen them Live. They don't speed it up.

[Nirvanarien]

As much of the people here i still dislike Dragonforce but Herman seems like a cool guy whom deserves more respect than he gets. And he has a point, the vids you get on youtube are either from Graspop or the TV show where Sam trips. And atleast he's honest about the whole Guitar Hero thing.

[Nirvanarien]

Like much* stupid mistake. Ug should put an Edit on News comments.....

[Kwonnie]

I never really had a problem with DragonForce but after the brief time I listened to them, I got tired of their songs really fast. I don't really like their vocalist that much either. Plus the live thing threw me for a spin. As far as I've been always concerned, if you can't play it live, don't record it. But that's just me.

[AudioDemon]

DragonForce deserves the credit, personally i don't like their music it doesn't quite appeal to some people (understandable) but people need to understand they can play their own music quite fine at the same speed - I am tired of this "Sped up in Studio" crap =D

[AudioDemon]

Nirvanarien wrote:

Like much* stupid mistake. Ug should put an Edit on News comments.....

Agree

[thadjrdn123]

Green_Jelly wrote:

I saw them live at the 2006 Graspop festival. This explains a lot. That show was awful. Not the biggest fan myself, but I don't hate 'em.

Graspop seems to **** bands up. Even Dream Theater, the tightest band in the world live (pretty much), messed up their songs a little bit, including Metropolis Pt.1, probably their most played song in their whole set list

[AudioDemon]

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

[MegaRockFace]

In my opinion, if Guitar Hero didn't have DragonForce in their games, more people would actually like them...

[jpgilbert701]

I like how he talks about bands that bitch about how they can't hear their sound but he does that exact thing throughout the whole interview.

[AudioDemon]

MegaRockFace wrote:

In my opinion, if Guitar Hero didn't have DragonForce in their games, more people would actually like them...

Haha, that's true for those who can't beat it on Expert -

[Cafas]

MegaRockFace wrote:

In my opinion, if Guitar Hero didn't have DragonForce in their games, more people would actually like them...

Are you kidding? They had already put out 3 albums at that point, and were basically as well known in the metal community as you can get without taking a mainstream plunge like Guitar Hero. If anyone hates them, it's because they write generic as hell power metal, not because they had a song in a video game.

And anyone that DOES hate them for such an asinine reason is an idiot.

[Morgray]

"We never try to reproduce one of our previous albums."

rofl

[Dynamight]

Herman is cool in a goofy kind of way.

[AudioDemon]

A lot of their songs sound the same.. "like heroes of our time" is like the same as "through the fire and the flames"

[Charlie4]

I think the problem with the "it's all sounding the same" rant is due to the tempo & drums staying pretty much the same through out. If they had some more variation in this sense I think it would have made it a more enjoyable listen.

Another thing, people accusing this band of a lack of originalty & creativity, what band does DF sound like then? This band is good and the musos in the band are great, so give credit where credit's due.

[Robert Gray]

Yerjam wrote:

Rockon914 wrote:

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

does UG really have to add this part of the conversation to all their interviews?

+1 I never understood that.

I add that so that the reader gets a flavour of what the interviewee is like, and has the whole conversation so that they know nothing is published out of context. If you dislike such things, just skip to where the interview starts - I don't have any intentions of changing the way "Hit The Lights" works.

[Picklelerner]

AudioDemon wrote:

MegaRockFace wrote:

In my opinion, if Guitar Hero didn't have DragonForce in their games, more people would actually like them...

Haha, that's true for those who can't beat it on Expert -

actually people just wouldnt know who they were, guitar hero no doubt more then tripled their fame(?) and its only cuz the song was rly difficult, in my opinion its more fast guitar playing then actual music or rhythm (if u get what i mean)

[TheJudasKiss]

Conformist wrote:

It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world.

Does this imply he thinks he's in the greatest band in the world?

that caught my attention too.

[Jugulator_cro]

""We just took everything that we can further really, in terms of songwriting, production, and everything.""

I lol`d. Cool guy though

[AudioDemon]

Jugulator_cro wrote:

""We just took everything that we can further really, in terms of songwriting, production, and everything.""

I lol`d. Cool guy though

LOL.

[qotsa1998]

Im not a big DragonForce fan myself, or of power metal much for that matter. But he does seem like an alright guy. But after one badly set-up show, especially when you cant hear your guitar at all, you think they wouldve found a new tech and gotten everything worked out. I wouldnt think any band would want to put on a bad showif they knew it was going to be bad.

[handbanana78]

He seems like a cool guy, nice interview

[Hand Of Stone]

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

Dream Theater, really? I'm blown away by that statement.

[eiirish]

TheJudasKiss wrote:

Conformist wrote:

It wasn't like we thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world.

Does this imply he thinks he's in the greatest band in the world?

that caught my attention too.

I just think he means that they didn't have that ambition

Checked.

[zeveron]

Saw Dragonforce live the first time in October 2007 at the Black Crusade in Stockholm, Sweden. I really enjoyed their show whilst their actual musical performance was quite bad.

The second time I saw them was this summer at the Metaltown Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden. This time they had really improved and they could keep up the good show with high performance, as well as neon green pants.

Not the best band of my liking, but I can't say they're bad in any way. Just not my cup of tea.

[RDSElite]

Hand Of Stone wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

Dream Theater, really? I'm blown away by that statement.

I saw Dream Theater live last wednesday, and I was very disappointed of their ego's on stage.. It was as if all the band member (expect for John Myung) was playing for themselves, and not for the audience. It wasn't like watching a band play. It was more like "John Petrucci, backed by 4 people" followed by "Jordan Rudess doing a horrible keyboard solo"..

[Mainer]

MaidenandEddy wrote:

Seems like a sound guy. And he has a point - they were very tight when I saw them last year, a lot tighter than the videos on YouTube suggest.

I've always loved DragonForce, Youtube is just a bunch of nerds, that are trying to feel important by bashing something their jealous of

[jetfuel495]

That's a really good interview, and Herman said lots of respectable things.

[astrosaki]

In ear monitors FTW!

[thecheat3224]

oh my god the picture of him looks hilarious. nice interview

[Eddie4President]

This interview has completely changed my opinion of Herman and Dragonforce in general. I love the interview, except for the title, it almost seems mocking and is pretty unrelated :mad:

[Robert Gray]

Eddie4President wrote:

This interview has completely changed my opinion of Herman and Dragonforce in general. I love the interview, except for the title, it almost seems mocking and is pretty unrelated :mad:

Actually, I completely disagree. The title isn't mocking, and is representative of what Herman has tried to stress throughout the interview. It is very related - Herman said "Since we've had in-ear monitors, our playing has gone through the roof. Again, boom". It's just that UG's titles must be no more than a certain amount of characters, so the title had to conform to those restrictions.

It's a shame you feel the title almost seems mocking.

[CentriX]

Awesome, a pretty long interview from my idol, I really enjoyed reading it, thanks so much Robert

Glad to see most of the comments in here are in the lines of gaining more respect for him. They really are nice guys and a pretty good band, but as with everyone, you need to understand them before judging.
This interview definitely taught me some stuff about DF that i didn't know, so thanks, really
Stoked that the VOTD remaster/remix is finally coming, with more stuff then we expected. After all, we're over the "Sam lost the tapes" thing :P
I haven't seen them live yet, only YT videos, but the performances are great. If you did read the interview, you'll know what videos to search for (I already did anyways, but it's good that he knows there's (thank god not nearly as many as before) haters who don't respect the band and judge them based on old performances, from a time where they didn't have touring stability yet.
Can't wait to see how the new album is going to turn out next year, it'll definitely be one of the top ones for 2010!

Cheers again Robery Gray for the interview, I loved it and you've helped DF and Herman's reputation, a lot

[mitch311]

They're some good excuses he came up with. Jk, I think Herman Ri's a pretty cool guy. I think he was talking a bunch of crap and making up excuses though

[xberserkx]

"One thing that I can tell you about is obviously one of the causes of the hatred we get these days. People say "Fuck DragonForce, Guitar Hero III, and all that shit", but a lot of people only listen to one or two songs, and make a judgement on the whole ****ing band's career"

What's funny is the total opposite happened to me. I listened to one or two songs by them years ago, and I thought they were pretty good, but then when I bought an album every goddamn song sounded exactly the same which immediately turned me off to them.

[Duality Ninja]

This interview is great for them. It's really showing their good side. They definetly do sound way tighter on tour now, as opposed to IR's tour.

[wezoweez]

cant say im a fan of their music. but herman li's a cool guy..haha

[Lord Mudkipz]

Herman Ri is a pretty coor guy, I want to be just rike him when I grow up.

DF rocks!

[mashedpotatoes]

Rockon914 wrote:

Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.

How are you Herman?

I'm pretty good.

Would it be alright if I began the interview?

Yeah.

If it's ok, I'd like to do an interview which is an overview of DragonForce's history. Would that be ok?

Yeah. Ask me anything you want.

does UG really have to add this part of the conversation to all their interviews?

If I ever become famous, and in some way get interviewed by UG, I'm going to tell them it isn't okay to start the interview...

[ironwolg]

all of their songs sound the same to me, i don't think they're all that great.
Dream Theater's a lot better and have always been able to pull off their songs live, in ear monitors or not

[TheTortured]

wow, dragonforce just gained back all my respect that i had for them back in 6th grade...

[Deep*Kick]

I don't dislike them, but nothing about them stands out to me in particular. But then I'd probably think the same of Symphony X if michael wasn't so awesome.
It must be f cking irritating to have more videos on youtube of your poor playing than your good playing though.

[wicked_hobbit]

jpgilbert701 wrote:

I like how he talks about bands that bitch about how they can't hear their sound but he does that exact thing throughout the whole interview.

He talks about bands that bitch onstage, which might disrupt the show, which would suck for the fans. Apparently it's not the same as acknowledging the problem in an interview.

[Shinsen88]

Hm... Interesting interview.

[Mr. Skull]

did he say riff? i have rarely if ever heard df riff lol

he comes across as being really stuck up to me and seems to be making excuses for bad playing, imo

[xXChimairaXx]

Everyone who says they suck live has...

A. Either seen them live when they've been drunk or Dragonforce was drunk

B. You're a youtube/internet blog stay at home sit at my computer numbskull

I've seen them four times live and only once I actually went to see them. They were good 3 of the 4 times. I don't expect them to hit every note of those insane songs, especially since it seems hard to memorize repetive 100,000 note songs, but they do have a good time and put on a cool show. That should be it.

[psychokiller99]

hermin li looks like such a jack-off in his pictures.

[Heminator89]

RDSElite wrote:

Hand Of Stone wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

Dream Theater, really? I'm blown away by that statement.

I saw Dream Theater live last wednesday, and I was very disappointed of their ego's on stage.. It was as if all the band member (expect for John Myung) was playing for themselves, and not for the audience. It wasn't like watching a band play. It was more like "John Petrucci, backed by 4 people" followed by "Jordan Rudess doing a horrible keyboard solo"..

Playing for themselves? What does that even mean? And Jordan Rudess's HORRIBLE keyboard solo? Do you even listen to Dream Theater?

I saw them live and they are probably the most kick ass band live. They played for 3 hours and didn't even miss one note! I've never seen any band do that.

[rebeltildeth87]

xXChimairaXx wrote:

Everyone who says they suck live has...

A. Either seen them live when they've been drunk or Dragonforce was drunk

B. You're a youtube/internet blog stay at home sit at my computer numbskull

I've seen them four times live and only once I actually went to see them. They were good 3 of the 4 times. I don't expect them to hit every note of those insane songs, especially since it seems hard to memorize repetive 100,000 note songs, but they do have a good time and put on a cool show. That should be it.

all i can say is if they can play live, youtube doesnt do them justice. Every band I like that ive heard on youtube sounds fine. As far as you seeing them live goes... When your at a show, everything sounds better. Ive never seen a band play totally shitty live. Because no matter whats going on im getting to watch a show and hear loud music. Every video ive seen of them, and ive seen quite a few, is horrible. Theres really only 2 conclusions to come to. 1, They are drunk. 2, They cant play their own material live... If they play shitty live because their drunk, then their cheating their fans out of a good show. If they just cant reproduce what they put on their albums, they're basically cheats. I think its both, because their albums are SUPER polished. Probably more polished and protooled than any band ive ever heard. Weither you like them or not, Im just saying thats whats up.

[Rokeman]

Great interview, especially how it clears up misconceptions, which is really not what you want to happen to you as a band.

[TheXBlackening]

In Sydney, touring 'Inhuman Rampage' they actually did quite well, Herman made more mistakes in chorus chord changes then he did in solos. The show was quite fun too.

Checked...

[ryAn132]

i saw dragonforce last year and it was 1 of the best gigs i have ever been to and im goin to see them again this year they are a good band for lots of reasons i dont understand y they are so hated.

[Flibo]

Seems like a good guy. I see DragonForce in a whole new light now

[Zell182]

I've got nothing against their live performances but their lyrics are so cheesy and endless soloing gets boring after a while.

[LaZZerbeaM]

I did hear bout Sam trippin but I don't get how tht was enuf to make them so hated...

[guitartilldeath]

I've met Herman before, he's a really chill, funny and humble man.

People shouldn't diss Dragonforce that much over a few youtube videos.

[wouldyakindly]

Zell182 wrote:

I've got nothing against their live performances but their lyrics are so cheesy and endless soloing gets boring after a while.

^This. He seems like a nice guy, but his music's still unjustifiably bad in my opinion.

[kais27]

funny how he said they never cancelled a gig cause i was meant to be going to one that got cancelled due to "personal problems" but hey whatever

[Zappabootlicker]

i just lol'd when he he was saying about sam totman 'falling over' on stage, yeh its cause he was pissed

[celticstorm84]

Good interview, seems like a straight up guy. Never really cared for their music...just a preference of style but I do respect them a lot. I think they'll be around a while and do fine.

[sturm]

saw herman at one of his guitar clinics... he can play like a friggin monster!! tight as hell too (when he can hear it :P).. amzing amazing performer...

[Conformist]

I remember seeing them with turisas in cardiff. Turisas put on a gd show while dragonforce lacked alot, and chucking beer into the crowd wasn't gd. But seeing my ex get hit in the face with a shoe was totally worth going.

[metallica-#1]

No. We haven't had time. It hasn't been possible. If you've seen the schedule we've had to go through, then you'll know we have no time to do anything on tour. We have to stop touring to make a new album.

im farely certain Metallica have a much more rigorous touring schedule and they have time to write their albums, infact.. most of the songs they write for their albums are written on the road.

and as for them not sounding good live:
dont blame it on the technicians, theres some part where you have to come in and make sure that everything is %100 and ready to go, you dont just go onstage ASSUMING that everything is hunky-dorey and then get mad afterward cuz you didnt sound good

and come on... Sam tripping? thats ENTIRELY your guys' own fault, maybe he shouldnt be runnin around if he cant even stand up straight.

stupid stupid stupid excuses for sounding terrible live

[GisleAune]

Kwonnie wrote:

I never really had a problem with DragonForce but after the brief time I listened to them, I got tired of their songs really fast. I don't really like their vocalist that much either. Plus the live thing threw me for a spin. As far as I've been always concerned, if you can't play it live, don't record it. But that's just me.

You didn't read the interview properly i guess.

[GisleAune]

AudioDemon wrote:

A lot of their songs sound the same.. "like heroes of our time" is like the same as "through the fire and the flames"

That is like comparing every muslim to Osama Bin Laden and another known terroris. TWO songs, come on. Listen to atleas 20 songs and decide for yourself.

[Friar Tuck]

Superb interview UG. Been with DF since SF and while IR wasn't their best album, I honestly think Ultra Beatdown is. There's so much amazing stuff on there, it's like giving your ears a long soapy massage

[The Black Salts]

Even with all the hype about dragonforce's live performances being bad, it's not like the guys are jerks or something. Their music is still pretty unique and upbeat and I like listening to it once in a while.

[RNDM]

Hmm... I don't know what to think about him being a good guy or not. Maybe it's just me, but I think he's got a bit of an Yngwie Malmsteen-ish thing going for him here. I don't know for sure, especially since this is just text; i.e., no audio. The live performances sucking is definitely there because after all, when is it not? The first few shows will never be as good as the later ones in the tour, and most bands have that 'adjustment period', so to speak. I just think that Herman is kind of condescending, you know? Like Ynwie Malmsteen; he's kinda got that 'Yeah, I know I'm awesome' thing going.

Checked again.

[Ne0Assass1n]

"Best Band in the world"?
LMAO

[Lobyte]

i didnt really like them, mainly thx to the shit live videos, but theyve certainly have my respect thanks to this great interview, think im gonna give them another listen

[liam1107]

great interview, but that picture on the home page is just so so so much better

[Red33]

Sobriety isn't a bad idea either. Harhar.

[Jon777]

I like Herman... but he looks horribly homosexual in that last picture.

[MASTER768]

[quote]Herman Li: Hello?

UG: Hello. Can I speak to Herman please?

This is Herman.[quote]

Shouldn't read like this
Herman: Herro?

[BobChicken]

qotsa1998 wrote:

Im not a big DragonForce fan myself, or of power metal much for that matter. But he does seem like an alright guy. But after one badly set-up show, especially when you cant hear your guitar at all, you think they wouldve found a new tech and gotten everything worked out. I wouldnt think any band would want to put on a bad showif they knew it was going to be bad.

i think the problem was that as the interview said, they didnt have a manager to organise things properly

[livewire76]

Cant say i have much time for DF's style of music but its been fun reading the different comments and in future i might ratify my youtune videos at little more, see if they are accurate.

Also, id like to give Robert G (interviewer) a high five for following up and answering points made on the interview. It might be standard practice on "hit the lights", i honestly dont know, still its good to see someone who really takes pride and cares about what they produce.

[SOADriff]

I still can't get over the front page image. Classic.

[XenititesX]

if i had no life id copy the interview and change all the L's to r's. hahaha

Checked

[Cookie_Dog]

I think DF are great at what they do.

XenititesX wrote:

if i had no life id copy the interview and change all the L's to r's. hahaha

You know he's a Brit right?

[ticklemeemo]

GisleAune wrote:

AudioDemon wrote:

A lot of their songs sound the same.. "like heroes of our time" is like the same as "through the fire and the flames"

That is like comparing every muslim to Osama Bin Laden and another known terroris. TWO songs, come on. Listen to atleas 20 songs and decide for yourself.

Yeah, I don't even like Dragonforce, and I know that those two songs are the worst possible comparison to prove your point. They were pretty much just trying to create another Through Fire and Flames with Heroes of Our Time.
That said, I don't like power metal in general, so nothing against Dragonforce. I'm sure they are good at their genre.

[guitarfreak222]

Heminator89 wrote:

RDSElite wrote:

Hand Of Stone wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

Dream Theater, really? I'm blown away by that statement.

I saw Dream Theater live last wednesday, and I was very disappointed of their ego's on stage.. It was as if all the band member (expect for John Myung) was playing for themselves, and not for the audience. It wasn't like watching a band play. It was more like "John Petrucci, backed by 4 people" followed by "Jordan Rudess doing a horrible keyboard solo"..

Playing for themselves? What does that even mean? And Jordan Rudess's HORRIBLE keyboard solo? Do you even listen to Dream Theater?

I saw them live and they are probably the most kick ass band live. They played for 3 hours and didn't even miss one note! I've never seen any band do that.

Yeah Dream Theater are phenomenal live. Anyway, I don't think you tube is doing dragonforce's live ability much justice. Especially the most popular one is their graspop 2006 performance which was the one where the rodies screwed up and they didn't get any time to check they're gear and stuff.

I've seen them live and their pretty good now. Sam's still a bit sloppy and i think they can do way better sober.

[Lohnanmilitia]

I never disliked dragonforce cause they couldn't play live, i dislike em cause theyre a joke and their music is terrible. If I'm going to listen to power metal its actually going to be good bands like Helloween, Avantasia, Gamma Ray, Kamelot, Millenium, Nocturnal Rites, Blind Guardian, Tad Morose, etc. I will give herm credit and i loved his nod to Steve Vai. Hes a good guitar player, but he wastes his time and talent in this band.

[lambofgod0127]

Regardless of anything he says I still think they aren't that great of a band, cool they can, apparently, play fast and what not but can they do anything else, can they add any meaning and feeling into their playing? I doubt it. Bad thing about almost all shred guitarists, they can only do that one thing and in the end it all sounds the same.

[GS LEAD 5]

WishfulShredder wrote:

now that the reasons to their live shittiness have been explained, I feel somewhat more sympathetic to dragonforces' case.

although, this doesnt stop every song of theirs sounding EXACTLY the same.

Agreed

[GS LEAD 5]

Lohnanmilitia wrote:

I never disliked dragonforce cause they couldn't play live, i dislike em cause theyre a joke and their music is terrible. If I'm going to listen to power metal its actually going to be good bands like Helloween, Avantasia, Gamma Ray, Kamelot, Millenium, Nocturnal Rites, Blind Guardian, Tad Morose, etc. I will give herm credit and i loved his nod to Steve Vai. Hes a good guitar player, but he wastes his time and talent in this band.

Just because you dont like Dragonforces brand ofpower metal deosnt mean their music is terrible.You might as well call Children Of Bodom and Stratovarius a joke

[GS LEAD 5]

lambofgod0127 wrote:

Regardless of anything he says I still think they aren't that great of a band, cool they can, apparently, play fast and what not but can they do anything else, can they add any meaning and feeling into their playing? I doubt it. Bad thing about almost all shred guitarists, they can only do that one thing and in the end it all sounds the same.

They sound the same to your dead ears. Not to everyone else. Remember, music is subjective.

[tesla_fan]

isn't the 15 minutes up yet...

[cal1]

He seems like a nice enough guy and he does have a point with not being able to hear yourself play causing a poor performance. In my opinion this should put the name "StudioForce" to rest. I'm sure any band could suffer this problem and sound bad.

[travislausch]

AudioDemon wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

Actually, what Dream Theater needs is lessons on not looking like statues playing on stage. But it's because of that that they play their songs completely flawlessly.

[Gingrel]

BigZman95 wrote:

I don't like Dragonforce or Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, personally.

I love Satch and Vai, not so big on DF. Satch, and to a slightly lesser extent Vai, do really clever things musically, and don't just shred the whole time like DF. I'm not trying to slag off Herman or Sam here, they're far better guitarists than me, and i'm sure a lot of people like their style, but it's not for me.

[GisleAune]

Lohnanmilitia wrote:

I never disliked dragonforce cause they couldn't play live, i dislike em cause theyre a joke and their music is terrible. If I'm going to listen to power metal its actually going to be good bands like Helloween, Avantasia, Gamma Ray, Kamelot, Millenium, Nocturnal Rites, Blind Guardian, Tad Morose, etc. I will give herm credit and i loved his nod to Steve Vai. Hes a good guitar player, but he wastes his time and talent in this band.

So, you're the king of music that can judge music terrible or not only because you like it or not.

I don't like Kamelot, but they aren't terrible.

your opinion =/= facts.

[GisleAune]

XenititesX wrote:

if i had no life id copy the interview and change all the L's to r's. hahaha

[GisleAune]

^sorry for posting a cooment too much, but he can do that autamiticly on notepad or word if he wants to.

[GisleAune]

Gingrel wrote:

BigZman95 wrote:

I don't like Dragonforce or Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, personally.

I love Satch and Vai, not so big on DF. Satch, and to a slightly lesser extent Vai, do really clever things musically, and don't just shred the whole time like DF. I'm not trying to slag off Herman or Sam here, they're far better guitarists than me, and i'm sure a lot of people like their style, but it's not for me.

...and the whole death metal chugs the same 4 notes until the end?, NO, Get rid of your sterotyping.

[Gingrel]

travislausch wrote:

AudioDemon wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..
Actually, what Dream Theater needs is lessons on not looking like statues playing on stage. But it's because of that that they play their songs completely flawlessly.

Have you seen the youtube vid of them doing Comfortably Numb with Queensryche?? Insane!!

[nailsarecruel]

guitartilldeath wrote:

I've met Herman before, he's a really chill, funny and humble man.

People shouldn't diss Dragonforce that much over a few youtube videos.

I appreciate them more after someone remixed Through The Fire & Flames singing like Ms. Piggy. My heart has a soft spot for metal cheese.

[Jester InFlames]

zbalrg poor guys i don't like them but they are like the most flamed band of the universe

[travislausch]

Gingrel wrote:

travislausch wrote:

AudioDemon wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..
Actually, what Dream Theater needs is lessons on not looking like statues playing on stage. But it's because of that that they play their songs completely flawlessly.

Have you seen the youtube vid of them doing Comfortably Numb with Queensryche?? Insane!!

Yeah. Petrucci probably moved around more in that video than the entirety of the last three DVDs they put out.

[Warheart1188]

DF just has an excuse to learn how to play better live now. There are plenty of speed metal bands (as fast and faster than DF) that play great live without in-ear monitors.

[ironwolg]

travislausch wrote:

Gingrel wrote:

travislausch wrote:

AudioDemon wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..
Actually, what Dream Theater needs is lessons on not looking like statues playing on stage. But it's because of that that they play their songs completely flawlessly.

Have you seen the youtube vid of them doing Comfortably Numb with Queensryche?? Insane!!

Yeah. Petrucci probably moved around more in that video than the entirety of the last three DVDs they put out.

maybe if you'd actually go to one of thier shows instead of just watching DVDs you'd see that they all move around quite a bit(except myung, he pretty much stays in his area) besides, just because someone doesn't move much doesnt' mean they're not good live or that they suck. Dream Theater's musicians are 20 times better than Dragonforce's

[ESPLTDV401DX]

Wow. My respect just went up for them.

Checked...

[sanpaulo]

Pretty Awesome!

[Chozodragon]

Hm.
Good interview. It explains many things about DF that haters had to read...
But is still a fun band, bound to rewrite the same thing forever... I mean, when herman's talking about the diversity of UB, he picks the three best songs from the album, the rest is only average DF. If they continue this way i'll be able to sing the lyrics of the next album at the first listening, they were TERRIBLE on UB. Probably their worst.

[con job]

flame843 wrote:

lol @ the implication that any of Dragonforce's albums are stylistically different

Fail. Take time to listen to them. Valley Of the Damned is massively different to everything that came afterward. Sonic Firestorm is definitely their most restrained album, there really isn't a lot of shredding to be found until it comes to the solos themselves. As the interview said, Inhuman Rampage was a massive shred-fest, and I can't comment for Ultra Beatdown having never owned it.

Amazing interview, he's a real down to earth guy, glad to see the hate just deflects from him.

[Onetonkilla]

wow, i agree. wasnt too big a fan of DF but i give them props on their touring ethic, go Herman Li

[Eidred]

ChucklesMginty wrote:

random-emo-kill wrote:

im still sure they speed up their stuff in studio...at least through the fire and the flames sounded that way...

Oh come on...

You really think a major label would sign a band who's sped up their recordings?

They posted all these awesome live vids on there YT channel earlier this year. Can't wait to see them on the next tour.

Yes, actually, a major label would sign a band that speeds up their recordings, just like major labels now days sign on bands like Brittany Spears, AFI, The Jonas Faggots, The Strokes, and an infinite number of shitty studio bands that suck. So in answer to your question, yes. Don't doubt it for a second.

[Eidred]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEX1WRbIHs&feature=related but honestly, they're not THAT bad live. I just see far too much overproduction on the albums.

[Lohnanmilitia]

GisleAune wrote:

Lohnanmilitia wrote:

I never disliked dragonforce cause they couldn't play live, i dislike em cause theyre a joke and their music is terrible. If I'm going to listen to power metal its actually going to be good bands like Helloween, Avantasia, Gamma Ray, Kamelot, Millenium, Nocturnal Rites, Blind Guardian, Tad Morose, etc. I will give herm credit and i loved his nod to Steve Vai. Hes a good guitar player, but he wastes his time and talent in this band.

So, you're the king of music that can judge music terrible or not only because you like it or not.

I don't like Kamelot, but they aren't terrible.

your opinion =/= facts.

I was stating my opinion. Notice how i didnt attack anyone else for liking them, or say i'm God and my opinion is all that matters. It is just my opinion.

[kpatterson14206]

Did anyone see anything about "In-Ear monitors" in the actual interview? Maybe I missed it.

[Robert Gray]

kpatterson14206 wrote:

Did anyone see anything about "In-Ear monitors" in the actual interview? Maybe I missed it.

Herman said; "Since we've had in-ear monitors, our playing has gone through the roof. Again, boom."

[3 days grace14]

Jay2007 wrote:

First. Well, as much as I dislike dragonforce, Herman Ri seems like a pretty decent guy

yeah hate to admit

[duzit89]

i think some songs are decent but most are quite repetative.. i guess it goes to show.. u can have a few bad shows.. and still keep a fanbase followin up with ya .. i can respect that

[dannydesktop]

lol, yeah they originally just wore ear plugs so they wouldn't have to hear themselves, i could see how moniters could be an improvement...

[mustainex2000]

we have to admit that they have been getting better...but man, this guy is a SLOPPY player.

[twat]

I, like lots of people on here, do not like Dragonforce's music particularly. This interview has certainly made me respect them more, but I still cannot help but laugh when I watch that video on youtube where Sam's guitar string snaps and they just stop playing in submission and give each other consoling hugs

[Melkord]

Ikonoklast wrote:

I don't believe any band can't hear what they're playing. Even so, if you can hear a drummer and know the song you should be able to keep time/play in key. It all sounds like an excuse for not being a tight live band.

You're f*ing with us right? You have obviously never had this problem pop up before. It makes things much more difficult.

[thirteenburn]

First of all, let me say that I've never toured. I've played in several bands, but only local or for parties, mainly because no one I played with wanted to play clubs, so ces't la vie. But whenever we played, we had great monitor sound.

My point is that if you're playing in front of large crowds and the initial shows suck because of monitor problems, it seems to me that it would benefit any band by working that problem out before continuing, not going out and what amounts to sucking on purpose.

Also, I had to chuckle at the line "we got in-ear monitors and our live playing went through the roof." I don't know why, but that just seems funny to me. It's like saying "once we got real guitar strings intead of wiring from my house, my playing went through the roof!" I mean c'mon - it's not like in-ear monitors are something developed in the last year or so, but have been around for quite sometime.

The bottom line to me is that this guy made a bunch of excuses as to why they sucked instead of stopping what they were doing and fixing the problems before doing anymore tours.

It's not like it's rocket science, after all. It's only rock & roll...and I like it.

As for the band itself, when I first heard them a couple of years ago, I immediately thought of guys like Paul Gilbert and others during the 80's GIT phase that music went through, where every guitarist it seemed was trying to out Malmsteen each other, or in the words of Sebastian Bach, "Very noodley guitar music" and while speed is impressive, speed for speed's sake isn't, at least in my humble opinion. To me it's a bit sterile sounding and to me the guitar is an outlet for feeling and emotion. Sure there's both in speed shreading, but not enough.

I could take or leave Dragonforce. They are what they are and while I may not go right out and buy their new albums, or see their tours, that doesn't mean they aren't relevent to someone somewhere, right?

I'm just sayin'...

[aerialspider]

I saw DragonForce at the Kabooze in Minneapolis in 2009, and I must say, they played a very nice set. The acoustics at the Kabooze are quite poor, so it could have been a lot better. I'm not a huge fan, but I really liked their live dynamic. The band was clearly having a blast, and that always makes for a better show. Before they played "Through The Fire and Flames", they started making fun of themselves for playing the same song over and over. One of them said something like, "This is actually our only original song." I thought it was hilarious, they think it's hilarious. I haven't seen any videos of their supposed poor performances, but again, the show I was at was very good. However, it was kindof depressing that 50% of the audience was only there because of that silly videogame. I have never seen so many people air-fretting in my life.

[Oblivoath666]

theres still people bashing them everywhere....Dragonforce is a pretty decent band....i like them a lot myself...but yes their lyrics are a little cheesy.....they kinda get lazy with them ...those type of lyrics are the easiest to write...but nonetheless they are good at what they do.

[wildchildCOB]

Why would you play if you can't hear anything? All is fair for the fans..... wt a douche

[isildurs_bane]

I quite like this band. It would have been more sensible to play a GOOD show rather than a 'show at all', imo anyway.

Good band (Y)

[maggot68]

People who post to the internet to hate on things just for the sake of hating on them is ridiculous. DragonForce live is a truly amazing show, and yes, they definitely shred just as fast and are not "speeding things up on the album." Herman and Sam are the best guitar duo I have ever seen, and I've seen plenty. Li is a true virtuoso, and is way more humble than most musicians with half his talent. Props to Herman and the boys. Hail DragonForce. Go see them live and you will be impressed.

[Mjollnir1990]

AudioDemon wrote:

Dream Theater, and Dragonforce both need live performance lessons..

Hope you arent basing that comment off one youtube video you saw that was recorded while James was still getting his singing voice back. lol

+1 to the interview, now i know why everyone was complaining about DF not being able to play live.

[jackthe10th]

Dragonforce is my favorite band, i say you either love them or hate them...i disagree, their songs don't sound the same (at least not to a hardcore fan like me)

[bloodangel619]

Herman your the best I love the fact that you say "I just play for fun and don't give a **** about what everyone says about us" because your really right we couldn't live if we had to just listen to all the bull shit every one says about us ,you love guitar , play guitar and have fun and nothing else matters and that's why i love your performance on stage.

[bloodangel619]

Herman your the best I love the fact that you say "I just play for fun and don't give a **** about what everyone says about us" because your really right we couldn't live if we had to just listen to all the bull shit every one says about us ,you love guitar , play guitar and have fun and nothing else matters and that's why i love your performance on stage.

[williamgag]

i saw them live . . . they were actually perfect !!!! Montreal show was insane !!! people should really go see them live

[DirkvanBerge]

He totally contradicts himself
It's not just one moment, but a continuation of them - different times in your life that make you early on, and make things happen. When we made 'Sonic Firestorm', I thought it was amazing, and when we made 'Ultra Beatdown', I thought "Wow, this is so cool. This is the best thing ever".

[quinlikesmetal]

dragon force is awsome, but why cant they play live?????

[mightmuffin]

Genuinely cool dude, met him once before bit quiet in person though.

[kennmi]

Kwonnie wrote:

I never really had a problem with DragonForce but after the brief time I listened to them, I got tired of their songs really fast. I don't really like their vocalist that much either. Plus the live thing threw me for a spin. As far as I've been always concerned, if you can't play it live, don't record it. But that's just me.

im gonna have to disagree with that last statement... not everyone goes to concerts to listen to bands. im not a big one for concerts, so if a band doesnt release albums because they cant play live (which is an acquired skill anyways), then that means those of us who concerts arent a big part of our lives get cheated out of perfectly good music.
i could see why people would tire of their music, especially with IR, but the same could be said for alot of bands.

[redhavok]

why does nobody interview sam. ive literally seen no interviews with ZP and Dave. freddy has good interviews on youtube, vadim aint bad eitha

[Greg_2390]

I love how so many kids think DF speed up their solos. Just because you can't play 16th notes at 240 bpm- doesn't mean they can't. The fact of the matter is tons of bands play at that speed. C.O.B., Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, Steve Vai and so on...

[denfilade]

As much as I don't like the band, they've kinda earned some respect from that.

[fishstickrocker]

I hate studio force