The New Dynamics of DragonForce's Touring Habits

Press coverage of DragonForce circa a decade ago often depicted a hard-partying outfit who, seemingly, rarely stopped drinking long enough for the hangovers to truly take hold. It was an image punctuated by their high energy live shows, which further exuded an air of self-indulgence.

Perhaps not surprisingly, priorities have shifted, and there's less emphasis on the boozing nowadays. "We're nowhere like what we used to be, to be honest," shredder Herman Li reflects. "10 years ago it was every single night, at the show, full-on. Lots of fun, always a party, after-show party. These days, we've toured around the world, and we've done it. We definitely have no regrets doing that, but these days I guess our concentration is to make sure the show is the most important thing. Before, maybe sometimes we thought the party was more important, for some people. Obviously people do have a few drinks and a good laugh, and when we have people over we have a little party, but nothing as crazy as we used to be. You know, girls jumping on trampolines before the show and stuff."

"We have a little party, but nothing as crazy as we used to be. You know, girls jumping on trampolines before the show and stuff."

Australia is scheduled to be among the first stops on the cycle supporting new record Reaching Into Infinity. How does the band utilise the non-stage time when on the road these days? "This is a pretty intense tour we have coming up, there are not many days off, or probably none for the first few weeks, travelling in Australia and all that. So probably if I'm not playing on stage or eating, I'll be sleeping. That's pretty much what it's going to be. Hang out with my friends after the show, but then lots of sleep, as much as possible. I know, sounds boring compared to the crazy parties we had before," he laughs.

This renewed focus is likely crucial to DragonForce's longevity. The UK power metallers have parlayed the media buzz and video game notoriety spawned by 2006 breakthrough Inhuman Rampage into a fully-fledged career. Reaching Into Infinity presents incremental changes from recent releases, such as flirting with more prominent use of death metal vocals on The Edge Of The World.

Overall though, power metal is often derided for its self-referential ethos and allegedly formulaic songwriting approach. DragonForce are also criticised for flaunting flash over substance. "We don't really care what people have to say," the axeman says of such comments.

"I would say at least we've got some flash in us. Who knows?" he laughs. "Music is so subjective, it doesn't really mean anything when you show people this or that, if they're gonna hate it, they're gonna hate it. I would say these days we are more open to ideas than we were before. On the first three albums, we said we just want extremely catchy but intensive, fast, energetic songs. And maybe one ballad. These days we're able to accept different kinds of dynamics. I guess it was three albums ago, we definitely diversified more."