Dragonforce Finally Back In Edmonton

To say I’m excited with tour season approaching, (and restrictions lifted for the time being) would be a HUGE understatement. Aside from photography and reviewing, I’m also a local stagehand for touring acts, and to say the least; the last two years has been tough. I had the opportunity to work with the Dragonforce crew all day setting up the show and it was a great time. Super dudes to work with. Watching a production come together is an amazing thing to see.

Recently the incredible DRAGONFORCE took to the stage in the newly renovated Union Hall in Edmonton, AB. Featuring a bigger stage, and more open space in the room – the upgrades were not only long overdue, but also well received. And the band was long overdue for a return to Edmonton.

Concertgoers were treated to a set of killer performances from two of today’s hottest and up and coming power metal bands Seven Spires and Visions of Atlantis. While car troubles forced me to miss Seven Spires; I walked into the room during Visions of Atlantis’ set and was immediately drawn to the stage. Two lead vocalists – a male/female duo, along with the rest of the band donned pirate and bard type attire and were happily galivanting all over the stage waving flags, pumping up the crowd, and delivering a top notch performance of infectious melodies that had me humming along, despite not being overly familiar with their material.

Then DRAGONFORCE took the stage – and what an absolute spectacle! With an elaborate stage setup including a giant dragon behind the drum riser and two massive arcade machines that acted as risers for the band. The virtuosic 5-piece blazed through 11 songs spanning their entire career, including their latest release “Extreme Power Metal“. Classic video game footage played on the video walls and arcade screens.

At one point their vocalist Marc Hudson took over guitar duties, playing a medley of his personal favorite video game music. (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Final Fantasy VII) Following that, Herman Li invited two guests onstage – Tim Brown from local JUNO award-winning heavy metal band STRIKER, and Jack Kosto from Seven Spires. DF guitarist Sam Totman picked up a banjo, and the 4 players took turns shredding riffs to the music from the game Farming Simulator. Dragonforce performed an encore, ending the night with their cover of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”, and the now classic “Through The Fire and Flames” – including leaving the stage and playing a portion of the solo from the top of the bar with bass player Alicia Vigil.

A next-level lightshow, fantastic stage presence, and more confetti than you can imagine made this 90 minute set one of the most energetic, fun, and out of this world performances I have ever seen.

Setlist:

Highway to Oblivion
Fury of the Storm
The Last Dragonborn
Ashes of the Dawn
Video Commercial – (Sega Genesis commercials played on the screens.)
Heart Demolition
Dracula’s Castle / Fight On! – (Marc on guitar. Castlevania Symphony of the Night & Final Fantasy VII respectively)
Banjo Solo / Guitar Solo – w/guitarists Tim Brown (Striker) and Jack Kosto (Seven Spires)
Black Fire
Cry Thunder
Remembrance Day
Valley of the Damned

Encore:
My Heart Will Go On (Céline Dion cover)
Through the Fire and Flames