Just days after officially announcing DRAGONFORCE’s newest lineup addition, the band has now played its first live show with Alissa White-Gluz as a full-time member.
The performance took place yesterday (May 9) at Welcome to Rockville at Daytona International Speedway, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the veteran power metal act.
However, fans quickly noticed the absence of longtime DRAGONFORCE singer Marc Hudson, who did not appear at the festival performance. Addressing the situation on social media, the band revealed that Hudson is temporarily stepping away from live duties due to health concerns.
Band explained on social media: “Due to ongoing hearing loss and tinnitus issues that have increasingly affected Marc‘s ability to tour, he won’t be joining us for the next two festivals.
“This hasn’t been a sudden decision, but something he’s been managing behind the scenes for quite some time. After careful consideration, it’s become clear that taking a little break is the best move for his long-term health and recovery.
“We know many of you were looking forward to seeing him on stage again with Alissa, but don’t worry. We have new music with Marc and Alissa in the works. In the meantime, Billy will be stepping in to handle the next two live performances.
“Thank you for all your love and support – don’t forget to follow Marc‘s YouTube channel!”
DRAGONFORCE is next scheduled to perform on May 17 at Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium.
The band officially announced Alissa White-Gluz as its new frontwoman on May 6, with guitarist Herman Li sharing his excitement about the band’s next era: “Alissa joining the band is an expansion of everything we’ve done up to this point. Twenty years is a long time to do anything, let alone survive the music industry and still be so inspired to continue doing what we love. Together we will honor what made Inhuman Rampage matter, while showing people exactly where we’re going next. Having Alissa in the room changes everything. She doesn’t just sing, she makes all aspects of our music better. And she sounds incredible live! I can’t wait for the fans to see her and hear what we have been working on.”
Speaking about her new partnership with DRAGONFORCE, White-Gluz added: “I am beyond excited to be bringing such iconic music to life with these amazingly skilled musicians in such a fun and inspiring environment. It feels great to showcase all the colours of my voice and utilize all my singing styles in technically challenging, deeply energizing, highly addictive songs. I am so thankful for the amazing support I have been lucky enough to receive from the metal world over this wild career I’ve built; I want to keep pushing my boundaries and delivering exceptional music and live experiences to the fans that I cherish so much.”
Founded in 1999 and based between Los Angeles and London, DRAGONFORCE have rewritten the rules of heavy metal, while redefining the possibilities of their respective instruments. Since the release of Inhuman Rampage and its signature anthem “Through the Fire and Flames” – the notoriously unbeatable final boss of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – the GRAMMY®-nominated band have continued to blow the minds of musicians and gamers everywhere. They have been heard in Despicable Me 4, Fortnite Festival, Brawl Stars, Asphalt Legends and beyond, and seen on the covers of dozens of magazines. They have played for millions of fans and shared stages with IRON MAIDEN, OZZY OSBOURNE, SLIPKNOT, METALLICA and many more, but one thing has always been certain: the fastest band in the world will not slow down.
DRAGONFORCE Line-up:
Herman Li – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Sam Totman – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Alissa White-Gluz – Lead Vocals
Marc Hudson – Lead Vocals
Alicia Vigil – Bass
Gee Anzalone – Drums
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.