DragonForce
- Story by Zach Smith
TBA
Producer: Self-produced
Studio: LamerLuser Studios, London, England
Recording Dates: Nov 07, Jan 08 - until finished
Release Date: This year
Label: Roadrunner
Lately, technology has been both a blessing and a curse for DragonForce. The popularity of Guitar Hero III’s “Through the Fire and Flames” bonus track has catapulted the band’s popularity (and sales) to unforeseen heights. The sextet has positioned cameras around their “studio” to document the ongoing recording process of their fourth album. The studio’s computer, however, has had its Y2K moments. “I actually lost lyrics for two songs,” recounts guitarist Herman Li, who was busy penning lyrics when Decibel interrupted him. “They disappeared off the computer, so we have to rewrite those, [although] we got the whole chorus back [for one. The lyrics were] easy to remember because they came from a touring experience. We’ve given up telling people that the lyrics aren’t about slaying dragons and playing Dungeons and Dragons.”
Instead, DragonForce have returned to Li’s home—which also functions as their studio (and now houses three computers to avoid any more disasters)—to resume work after taking a break to tour Europe with Machine Head and Trivium. Unfortunately for fans, the way the band writes and records makes it difficult to tell exactly how far along it is at any given moment. After all, as the guitarist explains, “We do the worst demos on the planet and then make the album so we don’t get bored re-recording it.” Although it’s still early, Li did offer that the power metallers are working to make things more interesting in at least one way this time around. “Instead of playing one melody four times, we’ll play it four times differently, but in the same melody, if that makes any sense.”
Granted, the previous quote likely makes much more sense to those with Li’s ridiculous instrumental prowess. Nevertheless, the guitarist has plans to use the band’s homemade video footage in at least one way that makes sense should the powers that be deem any of it release-worthy. “[People] can see the equipment used to record the album. We can really show them that we’re using very basic stuff without a million effects. Maybe it’s worth releasing one day and people can see what’s really behind it instead of saying, ‘They speed up, they speed up.’ Whatever.”
