DragonForce’s Herman Li Teases ‘Really Long, Epic Song’ to Satisfy Fan Demand

When trying to sum up DragonForce, the word "epic" is often thrown the band's way and for good reason. The theatrical guitar playing and speeding tempos matched with soaring choruses and winding arrangements have come to define the band since their 2003 debut and there's one track on the forthcoming Reaching Into Infinity album that should appease fans begging for lengthier, even more epic songs.

While a number of DragonForce songs stretch past seven or eight minutes, they had yet to cross the 10 minute threshold, with "Soldiers of the Wasteland" coming the closest at nine minutes and 45 seconds. That could possibly change on the new record as guitarist Herman Li explained to Kash of the Melbourne, Australia's Moshpit show (audio below).

"I would say it's a continuation of the last album, Maximum Overload,' Li began when describing Reaching Into Infinity (transcription via Blabbermouth). "DragonForce always try to evolve and continue evolving our sound. So I think it's a natural progression as the band kind of continues to go through every album. This is just, I would say, another step and another chapter to what we've been doing. We do have a few things that people haven't heard, of course, on it, so that's where the evolution comes from."

Commenting on songwriting inspiration found from fans, Li added, "A lot of fans have been asking, 'Hey, why don't you guys make this massive, long epic — you know, a 15-minute, 20-minute, half-an-hour song?'"

Without giving up too much, the guitarist revealed, "So we haven't done a half-an-hour song, but we have done a really long, epic song that we have been thinking about and we finally achieved it. So I think fans will be really happy to hear something like that — just to bring another big, epic DragonForce sound."

Reaching Into Infinity will be released on May 19 through Metal Blade. As of press time, the only U.S. date DragonForce have lined up is an appearance at Chicago Open Air. Get more details on the fest at our 2017 Guide to Rock + Metal Festivals.

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