Editing DragonForce (section)

==History==

===Early years, ''Valley of the Damned'' and ''Sonic Firestorm'' (1999–2004)===
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DragonForce was founded in 1999 by guitarists [[Sam Totman]] and [[Herman Li]] along with singer [[ZP Theart]] under the name of '''DragonHeart'''. Totman and Li had both experienced being in a band previously, with both having come from the London-based [[black metal]] band [[Demoniac]]. Li found Theart through an advertisement in one of the studios in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501000000*/http://www.metal-experience.com/interviews/dragonforce%20int.htm|title=Interview Dragonforce (Archived)|website=Metal-experience.com}}</ref> They soon acquired former Demoniac drummer Matej Setinc, bassist Steve Scott, and keyboardist [[Steve Williams (keyboardist)|Steve Williams]]. Setinc left the band in December 1999 to continue his studies in Slovenia, so the band hired Peter Hunt to record the drums for their demo album before finding Didier Almouzni. The band also parted ways with Scott, who left to join [[Shadowkeep]], in 2000. Williams took a small break and then later rejoined the band as they recorded their first [[demo (music)|demo]] with [[Clive Nolan]] as a session member on the keyboards later that year, but left once again in December 2000, days ahead of the band's tour with [[Halford (band)|Halford]] and [[Stratovarius]] to promote the demo, and formed his own band, [[Power Quest]]. Bassist Diccon Harper joined the band in November of that year, with keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov joining in February 2001 to complete the lineup for recording their debut [[album|studio album]].

Although it was an independent release, their demo was enough to make them one of the UK's most popular independent power metal bands at the time. Their song "Valley of the Damned" was released as their debut single shortly after they changed their name permanently to DragonForce in 2002 (after finding out another power metal band already had the name DragonHeart). A promotional video featuring live footage from their tour around Europe was released along with the song. The song was also hugely successful on [[MP3.com]], which charted as the most downloaded song at No. 1 for 2 weeks. In 2002, the band signed to [[Noise Records]] and began recording their debut album, ''[[Valley of the Damned]]''. Harper performed the bass tracks for the album but left the band in 2002 because of a [[tendon]] problem that required surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/dragonforce_live_playing_through_the_roof_since_having_in-ear_monitors.html |title=DragonForce: Live Playing 'Through the Roof' Since Having In-Ear Monitors |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002234730/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/dragonforce_live_playing_through_the_roof_since_having_in-ear_monitors.html |archive-date=2 October 2012  }}</ref> The title track, re-released in promotion of the album, is one of the best-known DragonForce songs to date and is a staple of their live performances to this day. The band's tour for ''Valley of the Damned'' lasted until 2004, with the tour ending in Tokyo, Japan.

DragonForce's second studio album, ''[[Sonic Firestorm]]'', proved to be even more successful than their previous album, with the help of the album's lead single, "Fury of the Storm". ''Sonic Firestorm'' was the first DragonForce album to feature new bassist [[Adrian Lambert]] and drummer Dave Mackintosh. When Mackintosh entered the band in 2004, they began referring to their style of music as "extreme power metal" due to his fast [[blast beats]] and double bass rhythms. The tour was longer than the band's previous tour for ''Valley of the Damned'' and featured many more headlining shows. The band toured with many well-known metal bands such as [[W.A.S.P. (band)|W.A.S.P.]] and [[Iron Maiden]]. On the album, they also added a video commentary focusing on the making of ''Sonic Firestorm''.

===''Inhuman Rampage'' and ''Ultra Beatdown'' (2005–2009)===
[[File:DragonForce - VH45 (cropped).JPG|thumb|Herman Li, Frédéric Leclercq and Sam Totman performing in Melbourne in 2009]]
The band went mainstream with their third album, ''[[Inhuman Rampage]]'', which was released on 28 December 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dragonforce.com/release/inhuman-rampage/ |title=Inhuman Rampage |website=DragonForce |date=20 February 2019 |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> after signing with [[Roadrunner Records]]. The first song on the album, "[[Through the Fire and Flames]]", is perhaps their most famous song to date and is featured on the [[video games]] ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'', ''[[Guitar Hero: Smash Hits]]'' and ''[[Brütal Legend]]'', and as downloadable content for the [[Rock Band|''Rock Band'' franchise]]. Former Demoniac frontman [[Lindsay Dawson (musician)|Lindsay Dawson]] appeared as a backing vocalist for the album. In November 2005, before the album's release, Lambert left the band to raise his newborn son, and the band enlisted [[Frédéric Leclercq]] for the remainder of the ''Sonic Firestorm'' tour. Leclercq later became an official member of the band in January 2006 following the release of ''Inhuman Rampage'', and was also featured in the band's music video for their second single from the album, ''[[Operation Ground and Pound]]''. The "Through the Fire and Flames" single later reached gold status in the USA and Canada.

DragonForce toured with [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] and [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] during the inaugural [[Mayhem Festival]] in 2008; the band then returned in autumn with the release of their fourth studio album, ''[[Ultra Beatdown]]''. The album's lead single, "[[Heroes of Our Time]]", was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance]] on 3 December 2008, eventually losing out to [[Metallica]] with their song "[[My Apocalypse]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.grammy.com/grammy_awards/51st_show/list.aspx |title=The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winner List |work=GRAMMY.com |publisher=The Recording Academy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102161757/http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/51st_show/list.aspx |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=24 January 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> A short version of "Heroes Of Our Time" is also featured in the video game ''[[Skate 2]]'', and the full version in ''[[NHL 10]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/skate_2_and_skate_it_soundtracks_revealed.html |title=Skate 2 and Skate It soundtracks revealed |first=James |last=Orry |date=23 October 2008 |work=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Pro-G Media Ltd. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205191843/http://www.videogamer.com/news/skate_2_and_skate_it_soundtracks_revealed.html |archive-date=5 February 2013 |access-date=24 January 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ea.com/music/the-official-nhl-10-soundtrack |title=The Official NHL 10 Soundtrack – EA Trax |work=EA.com |publisher=Electronic Arts Inc. |access-date=24 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324103935/http://www.ea.com/music/the-official-nhl-10-soundtrack |archive-date=24 March 2010  }}</ref> On 22 January 2009, the music video for their song "The Last Journey Home" was released to the [[Xbox Live]] Community a week before it was released online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/df/news/dragonforce-video-world-premier-on-xbox-live |title=DragonForce Video World Premier on Xbox Live |website=DragonForce.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109174601/http://dragonforce.com/df/news/dragonforce-video-world-premier-on-xbox-live |archive-date=9 January 2010 |access-date=24 January 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

The band carried out the ''Ultra Beatdown'' world tour in Europe, North America and South America. They were supposed to play in South America in May, but the tour was postponed due to the [[swine flu]] outbreak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/df/news/mexico-south-amercia-tour-dates-added |title=Mexico, South America Tour Dates Added |website=DragonForce.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430042945/http://www.dragonforce.com/df/news/mexico-south-amercia-tour-dates-added |archive-date=30 April 2009 |access-date=24 January 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref name="Tour dates">{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/tour/list-view |title=DragonForce Tour Schedule |website=DragonForce.com|access-date=10 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520054403/http://www.dragonforce.com/tour/list-view |archive-date=20 May 2009 }}</ref> They performed at the Two Days a Week Festival in Wiesen, Austria on 4 September, before performing in the United States and Canada from 15 September to 11 October, with special guests [[Sonata Arctica]] and [[Taking Dawn]]. The next leg of the tour was in Germany, from 16 to 30 October, followed by a single live performance in Luxembourg on 31 October. They then travelled to South America to perform in [[Curitiba]], [[Porto Alegre]], São Paulo, [[Mexico City]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]], Buenos Aires and [[Bogotá]] from 6–14 November.<ref name="Tour dates"/> The final part of the tour was carried out entirely in the UK from 19 November to 12 December.

===Departure of Theart and ''Twilight Dementia'' (2010–2011)===
Li stated in late 2009 that DragonForce would stop touring in December and spend Christmas at home before beginning to write and record their next studio album in January.<ref name="Graspop">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/dragonforce_live_playing_through_the_roof_since_having_in-ear_monitors.html |title=DragonForce: Live Playing 'Through The Roof' Since Having In-Ear Monitors |website=Ultimate-guitar.com |access-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002234730/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/dragonforce_live_playing_through_the_roof_since_having_in-ear_monitors.html |archive-date=2 October 2012  }}</ref> On 22 February 2010, the band re-released their first two albums, ''Valley of the Damned'' and ''Sonic Firestorm''. ''Valley of the Damned'' included newly remixed and remastered tracks, while both albums included bonus tracks, updated packaging and DVDs featuring live footage, commentary and more. Both albums were also released in a box set which featured a T-shirt, a card of guitar picks, and an inflatable guitar.

On 8 March 2010, it was announced via the band's record label at the time, [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]], that Theart had parted ways with DragonForce due to "insurmountable differences of musical opinion" and that the band would be seeking a new frontman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espyrock.com/2010/03/dragonforce-part-ways-with-singer-9023/ |title=Updated: Dragonforce part ways with singer |website=Espyrock.com |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> The next day, the band released a press statement confirming the news and containing a link to request an audition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=136360 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET – DRAGONFORCE Confirms Singer's Departure |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208151205/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=136360 |archive-date=8 February 2012  }}</ref>

The band released their first [[live album]], ''[[Twilight Dementia]]'', on 13 September 2010, in Europe and 14 September 2010 in US and Canada. The album art, title, and release date were revealed on the band's official website on 22 June 2010. The performances were recorded on the final leg of the ''Ultra Beatdown'' world tour.<ref name="press release">{{cite web|title=DragonForce Confirm first live album 'Twilight Dementia' for September 13th 2010 release|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2010/06/22/dragonforce-confirm-first-live-album-%E2%80%98twilight-dementia%E2%80%99-for-september-13th-2010-release/|website=DragonForce.com|access-date=22 June 2010|date=22 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227102557/http://www.dragonforce.com/2010/06/22/dragonforce-confirm-first-live-album-%E2%80%98twilight-dementia%E2%80%99-for-september-13th-2010-release/|archive-date=27 February 2012}}</ref> Regarding the album, Li stated:<ref name="press release"/>

{{bquote|For years, fans have been asking us to record a live album, but honestly, we never really had the time due to our worldwide touring commitments and studio album recording. However, due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans on the ''Ultra Beatdown'' world tour, we decided to finally put some real thought into it...

These recordings really capture the raw sonic energy of a DragonForce show in fine detail. It is so real that you can hear the noise of the crowd and experience the show as it was that night – you can even hear the guitar pedals being stepped on!}}

The band began working on their new studio album in early 2010, recording in various studios in California, London and the South of France. The band later confirmed that they would be the opening act for Iron Maiden in two UK shows in August 2011, with the first at [[Odyssey Arena]] in [[Belfast]] on 3 August and the second at [[The O2 Arena (London)|The O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in London on 5 August. On 2 March 2011, DragonForce announced their new vocalist, Marc Hudson.<ref>
{{cite web|title=DragonForce Reveal New Singer|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2011/03/02/dragonforce-reveal-new-singer/|website=DragonForce.com|date=2 March 2011|access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hynes|first=Ollie|date=2 March 2011|title=Dragonforce Announces New Singer, Marc Hudson, After Year-Long Search|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=65797|newspaper=MetalUnderground.com}}</ref> Hudson had previous experience performing in a band but was not a professional musician before joining DragonForce. His first show with DragonForce was the band's opening for Iron Maiden in August 2011, where they debuted a new song titled "Cry Thunder".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metaltraveller.com/en/gigs/dragonforce/interview_power_within.html |title=Interview with Herman Li |website=Metaltraveller.com |date=April 2012 |access-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>

===''The Power Within'' and ''Maximum Overload'' (2012–2015)===
DragonForce released their fifth studio album, ''[[The Power Within (album)|The Power Within]]'', on 15 April 2012. [[Mediæval Bæbes]] and [[Pythia (band)|Pythia]] vocalist Emily Ovenden contributed backing vocals on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2012/02/02/dragonforce-reveal-details-of-new-album/ |title=DRAGONFORCE REVEAL DETAILS OF NEW ALBUM |website=Dragonforce.com |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> During their North American tour, the band performed a new song titled "Fallen World", along with "Cry Thunder".<ref name="videos of two new songs">{{cite news|title=DragonForce Performs Two New Songs In New York City (Video)|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=165054|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=23 October 2011|date=23 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201094051/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=165054|archive-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> Starting from late September 2012, the band embarked on a UK and Ireland tour, and were supported by [[The Defiled]], Cavorts and [[Alestorm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2012/04/02/dragonforce-announce-uk-ireland-leg-of-mammoth-world-tour/ |title=Announce Uk & Ireland Leg Of Mammoth World Tour |website=DragonForce.com |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref> 
DragonForce also played at [[Soundwave (Australian music festival)|Soundwave Festival]] in Australia in February 2013.

On 12 April 2013, the band announced that writing for a follow-up to ''The Power Within'' had been completed, and on 19 May 2013, DragonForce entered Fascination Street Studios in Sweden with [[Jens Bogren]] as the producer of the band's sixth album, ''[[Maximum Overload (DragonForce album)|Maximum Overload]]''.<ref name=FSS>{{cite web|title=DragonForce in the studio|url=http://www.fascinationstreet.se/blog/34-dragonforce-in-the-studio|publisher=Fascination Street Studios|access-date=30 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826122324/http://fascinationstreet.se/blog/34-dragonforce-in-the-studio|archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> On 31 March 2014, it was revealed that [[Trivium (band)|Trivium]] vocalist/guitarist [[Matt Heafy]] would appear as a backing vocalist for the album, and that Ovenden would return after providing backing vocals for ''The Power Within''. On 3 June 2014, DragonForce announced that they had parted ways with Mackintosh and had enlisted former Braindamage and Kill Ritual drummer Gee Anzalone.<ref>{{cite web|title=DragonForce Parts Ways With Drummer DAVE MACKINTOSH, Announces Replacement|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-parts-ways-with-drummer-dave-mackintosh-announces-replacement/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=3 June 2014|date=3 June 2014}}</ref> ''Maximum Overload'' was released in the UK on 18 August, in North America on 19 August and in Australia on 22 August. A special edition which included five bonus songs was released in Japan on 19 August (the same date as the normal edition's release in North America) and in Australia on 22 August, at the same time as the release of the normal edition. To promote the album, the band embarked on their second world tour, beginning in [[Edinburgh]] on 17 September and ending in [[Brussels]], Belgium, on 1 February 2015.

On 12 February, DragonForce announced that they would release their first live DVD, a recording of their performance at Loud Park Festival 2014 titled ''[[In the Line of Fire... Larger than Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dragonforce.com/2015/02/12/debut-dvdblu-ray-in-the-line-of-fire-in-july/|title=DEBUT DVD/BLU-RAY 'IN THE LINE OF FIRE' IN JULY|website=Dragonforce.com|date=12 February 2015}}</ref> The band performed at [[Download Festival]] in June 2015, with a surprise guest appearance by [[Babymetal]] during the set.,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Eleanor |date=2015-06-13 |title=GALLERY: Babymetal collide with Dragonforce at Download {{!}} Louder |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/gallery-babymetal-collide-with-dragonforce-at-download |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119230217/https://www.loudersound.com/features/gallery-babymetal-collide-with-dragonforce-at-download |archive-date=2019-01-19 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Louder Sound}}</ref> DragonForce would then act as Babymetal's backing band at the 2015 [[Metal Hammer|Metal Hammer Golden Gods]] (Li and Totman had previously collaborated on the track "[[Road of Resistance]]" for Babymetal).<ref>{{cite web|title=BABYMETAL ARE PLAYING THE METAL HAMMER GOLDEN GODS|url=http://metalhammer.teamrock.com/news/2015-05-08/babymetal-are-playing-the-metal-hammer-golden-gods|website=Metalhammer.Teamrock.com|access-date=8 May 2015|date=22 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=blabberRoR>{{cite web|title=Babymetal's New Song 'Road Of Resistance' Featuring DragonForce Members: Audio Preview|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/babymetals-new-song-road-of-resistance-featuring-dragonforce-members-audio-preview/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=5 January 2015|date=22 June 2015}}</ref>

===''Reaching into Infinity'' (2016–2017)===
[[File:DragonForce - Wacken Open Air 2016-AL8703.jpg|thumb|left|DragonForce live at [[Wacken Open Air]] in 2016]]
In April 2016, the band released the compilation ''[[Killer Elite: the Hits, the Highs, the Vids]]'', featuring a double CD of the band's greatest hits, with a DVD that contained the videos released by the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Dragonforce-Killer-Elite-The-Hits-The-Highs-The-Vids/release/8453651|title=Dragonforce - Killer Elite (The Hits - The Highs - The Vids)|website=Discogs|date=29 April 2016 |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/dragonforce-killer-elite-greatest-hits-set-start-new-album/|title=DragonForce Announce 'Killer Elite' Greatest Hits Set|website=Loudwire|date=June 2016 |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref> The band also embarked on the "Killer Elite World Tour" to support the release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2016-06-01/dragonforce-to-release-killer-elite-best-of-compilation-in-july|title=Dragonforce to release Killer Elite 'Best Of' compilation in July|date=1 June 2016|newspaper=Metal Hammer|language=en-GB|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref> In July 2016 DragonForce issued a statement on the health status of Marc Hudson revealing he had been signed off by doctors and was unable to perform at the Metal Days Festival in Slovenia and the Benatska! Festival in the Czech Republic and replaced by Per Fredrik Åsly for the two shows. This was further followed up by former [[Power Quest]] vocalist Alessio Garavello filling in for the Leyendas del Rock Festival concert in Spain, and the More//Than concert in Slovakia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dragonforce.com/2016/07/29/dragonforce-festival-statement/|title=DRAGONFORCE FESTIVAL STATEMENT|website=Dragonforce.com|date=29 July 2016}}</ref> DragonForce concluded their "Killer Elite World Tour" at a free show in [[Uncasville, Connecticut]] on 11 September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2016/08/13/show-at-mohegan-sun-connecticut-added-second-new-york-city-show-sold-out/|title=SHOW AT 'MOHEGAN SUN' CONNECTICUT ADDED, SECOND NEW YORK CITY SHOW SOLD OUT|date=13 August 2016|website=DragonForce.com|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref> On 11 November, DragonForce was confirmed for the 2017 edition of Pulp Summer Slam in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2016/11/07/dragonforce-confirmed-for-pulp-summer-slam-2017-in-the-phillipines/|title=DRAGONFORCE CONFIRMED FOR PULP SUMMER SLAM 2017 IN THE PHILIPPINES|date=7 November 2016|website=DragonForce.com|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

During an interview with ''Alto Music'' at the 2017 [[NAMM Show]], Li revealed that the band were putting the "finishing touches" on their upcoming seventh album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-is-putting-finishing-touches-on-new-album/|title=DRAGONFORCE Is Putting Finishing Touches On New Album|date=26 January 2017|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> In February 2017, the band revealed pieces of the album cover on their Instagram account, and the album title was revealed to be ''[[Reaching into Infinity]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=We're back!|url=https://www.facebook.com/dragonforce/photos/a.494960852378.268439.6675437378/10154358358942379/?type=3&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/6675437378/10154358358942379 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|website=DragonForce's official Facebook page|publisher=[[Facebook]]|access-date=6 February 2017|date=6 February 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 9 February, the band released details of the new album on their official website, including the release date, format and a release party show date. Leclercq also gave insight into the recording process of the album. "We were flying out, playing a festival, then back into the studio, then back out again," said Leclercq, who handled the majority of songwriting on the album. "It was very intense and very tiring... [I] lost my temper a few times – I think we all did at some point, because we wanted to deliver nothing but the best. I think we have proven that playing fast was something we were good at, so this time I wanted to bring even more diversity into our music. It's great to challenge ourselves instead of staying in a comfort zone".<ref>{{cite web|title=DragonForce Reveal Details of New Album|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2017/02/08/dragonforce-reveal-details-of-new-album-2/|website=Dragonforce.come|date=9 February 2017|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> ''Reaching into Infinity'' was released on 19 May 2017.

A music video for "Ashes of the Dawn" was released on 15 May 2017. Keyboardist Vadim Pruzhanov was not featured in the clip nor in any of the shows happening by the time of the album's recording. In a video published on his official [[YouTube]] channel, he explained he wanted to have more time for his daughter and that he had to choose between performing in all or none of the shows due to contractual limitations. He chose the second option and was absent from the album's promotional tour as well.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pruzhanov|first1=Vadim|title=Regarding my recent absence on tour with Dragonforce.|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGPRMq2Ylhk| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428105344/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGPRMq2Ylhk&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2020-04-28 | url-status=dead|website=Vadim Pruzhanov's official channel|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=25 May 2017|date=3 May 2017}}</ref> [[Power Quest]] supported DragonForce as special guests on the UK leg for the Reaching Into Infinity World Tour while supporting their own new album, ''Sixth Dimension''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.power-quest.co.uk/2016/index.php/item/178-new-album-and-dragonforce-tour |title=NEW ALBUM AND DRAGONFORCE TOUR |access-date=27 September 2019|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926194936/http://www.power-quest.co.uk/2016/index.php/item/178-new-album-and-dragonforce-tour|archive-date=September 26, 2017 }}</ref> On 13 July, the band announced that Swedish act [[Twilight Force]] would support the band during the European leg of the ''Reaching Into Infinity World Tour''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dragonforce.com/2017/07/13/europe-tour-special-guest-confirmed-twilight-force/|title=EUROPE TOUR SPECIAL GUEST CONFIRMED: TWILIGHT FORCE|website=Dragonforce.com|date=13 July 2017}}</ref> A music video for "Midnight Madness" was released on 21 September 2017, which documented the making of that song at Fascination Street Studios.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Music Video – Midnight Madness|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2017/09/21/new-music-video-midnight-madness/|website=Dragonforce.com|date=21 September 2017|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> On 15 October, they were announced to appear as a headlining band at [[Vagos Open Air]] in 2018, however on 20 January 2018, they issued a statement saying that they will not be attending due to "circumstances beyond their control".<ref>{{cite web|title=DragonForce regarding Vagos Open Air Festival|url=https://twitter.com/DragonForce/status/954564189934309376|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=20 January 2018|date=20 January 2018}}</ref> On 20 December, the band were announced to appear at Skogsröjet Festival in [[Rejmyre]], Sweden in August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dragonforce.com/2017/12/20/sweden-rejmyre-skogsrojet-festival-2018/|title=SWEDEN, REJMYRE – SKOGSROJET FESTIVAL 2018|website=Dragonforce.com|date=20 December 2017}}</ref>

===Lineup changes and ''Extreme Power Metal'' (2018–2019)===
In January 2018, the band were announced to appear at Area 53 Festival in [[Leoben]], Austria in July,<ref>{{cite news|title=Area 53 Festival in Austria Confirmed|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2018/01/21/area-53-festival-in-austria-confirmed/|website=Dragonforce.com|date=21 January 2018|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> and at [[Download Festival]]'s main stage for the first time since 2009 in June.<ref>{{cite news|title=Download Main Stage Confirmed|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2018/01/24/download-main-stage-confirmed/|website=Dragonforce.com|date=24 January 2018|access-date=25 January 2018}}</ref> In April 2018, the band announced a remastered version of ''The Power Within'' called ''Re-Powered Within''. Li stated: "I love how ''Re-Powered Within'' has turned out. We remixed and remastered the original music with a more modern production in the vein of our last two releases. The result is a clearer, more powerful sound. The fans will get to hear the music in better detail, bringing out parts they couldn't hear so well before, and injecting new excitement into the songs we love even more now."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dragonforce.com/2018/04/05/dragonforce-to-release-re-powered-within-on-may-4th-on-earmusic-fully-re-mixed-re-mastered-and-re-powered/|title=DRAGONFORCE TO RELEASE "RE-POWERED WITHIN" ON MAY 4TH ON earMUSIC. FULLY RE-MIXED, RE-MASTERED AND RE-POWERED|website=Dragonforce.com|date=5 April 2018}}</ref> ''Re-Powered Within'' was released on 4 May 2018. In October, DragonForce announced that they had entered the studio with [[Damien Rainaud]], who had previously mixed and mastered for the band, to work on their eighth studio album, and that the band would be joining [[Megadeth]] on their MEGACruise in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=NEW ALBUM RECORDING; LIVESTREAMS RECORDING SESSIONS; MEGACRUISE|url=http://www.dragonforce.com/2018/10/28/new-album-recording-livestreams-recording-sessions-megacruise/|website=DragonForce.com|access-date=28 October 2018|date=28 October 2018}}</ref>

On 10 June 2019, after more than two years of not being involved with DragonForce, Pruzhanov posted on his Facebook page stating that he had officially left the band in May 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pruzhanov|first=Vadim|title=Many keep sending me messages asking where there i am still in Dragonforce...|url=https://www.facebook.com/vadlife/posts/2750882588286560 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/104284066279772/2750882588286560 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|website=[[Facebook]]|date=10 June 2019|access-date=10 June 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In July 2019, the band's eighth studio album, ''[[Extreme Power Metal]]'', was announced and given a release date of 27 September 2019, and a music video for "Highway to Oblivion" was released.<ref name="EPM">{{cite news|title=DRAGONFORCE Reveals Details Of New Album 'Extreme Power Metal', Launches Video For 'Highway To Oblivion'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-reveals-details-of-new-album-extreme-power-metal-launches-video-for-highway-to-oblivion/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=30 July 2019|date=30 July 2019}}</ref> [[Epica (band)|Epica]] keyboardist Coen Janssen recorded keyboards for the new album.<ref name="EPM"/> In August 2019, Frédéric Leclercq announced that he would be leaving the band to pursue other projects;<ref>{{cite web|title=DRAGONFORCE: Frédéric Leclercq lascia la band|url=https://www.metalpit.it/dragonforce-frederic-leclercq-lascia-la-band/|language=it|work=metalpit.it|date=14 August 2019|access-date=14 August 2019|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814103232/https://www.metalpit.it/dragonforce-frederic-leclercq-lascia-la-band/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the band later confirmed Leclercq's departure, and that YouTube personality and musician [[Steve Terreberry]] would fill in on bass for the band's US tour dates.<ref>{{cite news|title=DRAGONFORCE Parts Ways With Longtime Bassist FRÉDÉRIC LECLERCQ; YouTube Personality STEVIE T To Step In|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-parts-ways-with-longtime-bassist-frederic-leclercq-temporary-replacement-announced/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=14 August 2019|access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kennelty|first=Greg|title=DRAGONFORCE Parts Ways With Bassist Frédéric Leclercq, YouTuber Stevie T To Fill In Live|url=https://metalinjection.net/latest-news/dragonforce-parts-ways-with-bassist-frederic-leclercq-youtuber-to-fill-in-live|work=Metal Injection|date=14 August 2019|access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref> Terreberry eventually pulled out of the tour before playing a show due to his anxiety, and he released a video on his YouTube channel explaining his decision.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why I Turned Down DragonForce|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=iGLmzGJD0Ns|work=[[YouTube]]|date=5 October 2019|access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref> [[Once Human (band)|Once Human]] bassist Damien Rainaud, who also produced ''Extreme Power Metal'', took over bass duties as a result.<ref>{{cite news|title=Watch DRAGONFORCE Perform At 'TwitchCon 2019' Opening Ceremony|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-dragonforce-perform-at-twitchcon-2019-opening-ceremony/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=29 September 2019|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref>

===New live members and ''Warp Speed Warriors'' (2020–present)===
[[File:DragonForce - Wacken Open Air 2024 20.jpg|thumb|right|280px|DragonForce performing at Wacken Open Air in 2024.]]
In January 2020, Alicia Vigil took over as the band's new touring bassist, beginning with their European tour.<ref name="replacements">{{cite news|title=DRAGONFORCE's GEE ANZALONE To Miss U.S. Tour; AQUILES PRIESTER To Step In|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforces-gee-anzalone-to-miss-u-s-tour-aquiles-priester-to-step-in/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=2 March 2020|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> In March, Anzalone was admitted to hospital with [[myocarditis]] and was forced to skip DragonForce's United States tour, with [[Aquiles Priester]] replacing him for the tour<ref name="replacements"/> until it was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="lockdown">{{cite news|title=DragonForce is using coronavirus downtime to work on new music|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-is-using-coronavirus-downtime-to-work-on-new-music/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=12 April 2020|access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> In April, Li said that the band had decided to use the lockdown time to write new music for "a new album which isn't going to be out for ages", while also saying that they were considering recruiting Vigil as their next permanent bassist.<ref name="lockdown"/> Vigil was later confirmed to be the new full-time bassist in one of Li's Twitch streams in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clips.twitch.tv/ApatheticSparklyShrewDoggo-e4fp6nKtvNrXjcX8|title=Alicia is now a part of Dragonforce|website=[[Twitch.tv]]|date=25 February 2022|access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref>

While in quarantine, DragonForce have written and recorded parody songs in the style of bands like [[Rammstein]], [[Amon Amarth]], [[Blink-182]], and [[Nightwish]], along with a collaboration with [[Jaret Reddick]] from [[Bowling For Soup]]. In February 2021, the band announced that they would professionally record those songs and release them in an album later this year before writing their next proper album.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dragonforce's Parody Album|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/news/42493/Dragonforces-Parody-Album/|work=Sputnikmusic|date=23 February 2021|access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> However, it is currently unknown if the band is still moving forward with their "parody album" plan.

In March 2022, Li revealed that the band had written "a lot of music" for their next album, but were currently in search of a new record deal. He added that the music they had written was "gonna be epic, triumphant, fun and catchy and uplifting. We're gonna carry on sounding like DRAGONFORCE."<ref>{{cite news|title=DRAGONFORCE Has 'A Lot Of Music Written' For Next Album|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-has-a-lot-of-music-written-for-next-album|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=22 March 2022|access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=HERMAN LI Says Next DRAGONFORCE Album Will Be 'Epic, Triumphant, Fun, Catchy And Uplifting'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/herman-li-says-next-dragonforce-album-will-be-epic-triumphant-fun-catchy-and-uplifting|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=4 April 2022|access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>

The band went on to re-tour their album ''Extreme Power Metal'' in North America in early 2022 with [[Firewind]], [[Visions of Atlantis]], and [[Seven Spires]]. In late 2022, they were able to continue their ''Extreme Power Metal'' tour in Europe with [[Powerwolf]] and [[Warkings]].

DragonForce signed a deal with [[Napalm Records]] to release their upcoming album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/herman-li-explains-how-dragonforce-ended-up-partnering-with-napalm-records-for-next-studio-album|title=HERMAN LI Explains How DRAGONFORCE Ended Up Partnering With NAPALM RECORDS For Next Studio Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=September 10, 2023|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref> On 14 September 2023, the band released a new single titled "[[Doomsday Party (song)|Doomsday Party]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=DRAGONFORCE Releases New Single 'Doomsday Party'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-releases-new-single-doomsday-party|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=14 September 2023|access-date=14 September 2023}}</ref>

On 18 October 2023, the band released the album's second single "[[Power of the Triforce]]" along with an accompanying music video. That same day, the band announced that their ninth studio album ''[[Warp Speed Warriors]]'' would be released on 15 March 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-announces-warp-speed-warriors-album-shares-power-of-the-triforce-music-video|title=DragonForce Announces ''Warp Speed Warriors'' Album, Shares 'Power Of The Triforce' Music Video|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=October 18, 2023|date=October 18, 2023}}</ref>

On 15 February 2024, the band released a cover of [[Taylor Swift]]'s "[[Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version)]]" through their official [[YouTube]] channel, which was included in their album as a bonus track.<ref>{{cite web |title=DragonForce Releases Music Video For Cover Of Taylor Swift's 'Wildest Dreams' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dragonforce-releases-music-video-for-cover-of-taylor-swifts-wildest-dreams |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=en |date=15 February 2024}}</ref>

On 30 May 2024, the band collaborated with the mobile video game ''[[Brawl Stars]]'', releasing a new single titled "A Draco Tale" to promote its newest playable character, Draco.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Editorial |date=2024-05-30 |title=DRAGONFORCE Releases Music Video For New Song 'A Draco Tale' Honoring 'Brawl Stars' Game Character DRACO |url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/dragonforce-releases-music-video-for-new-song-a-draco-tale-honoring-brawl-stars-game-character-draco/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Sonic Perspectives |language=en-US}}</ref>