Dragonforce have announced longtime bassist Frédéric Leclercq has decided to quit the band to pursue other projects. It is an amicable split as the band support his future endeavours. Leclercq has been with the group since 2006 as he’s been part of their albums since 2008’s Ultra Beatdown . Unfortunately, the decision has been made in the middle of the band’s promotional cycle for their new album, Extreme Power Metal, which is scheduled to arrive on September 27th via Metal Blade Records. The group has recently announced a North American and European tour in support of their upcoming effort as they’ve now recruited YouTube musician/comedian Steve Terreberry for their upcoming US tour.
Read the group’s statements below:
“We are sad to announce that Frédéric Leclercq is leaving DragonForce to pursue other projects. We want to thank Fred for all the musical contributions and good times over the years. Fred says, “I had an amazing opportunity that will be announced soon. There is no bad blood and I wish the band all the best. I want to thank the fans for their support throughout the years.”
Herman Li said, “As sad as we are to lose him, we are excited that he is going to continue playing the music he loves. He will always be a friend and a member of the DragonForce family.” Fred’s last show with DragonForce will be this weekend at Elb-Riot in Hamburg, Germany. We are going to have a massive celebration for Fred, please come out and send him off!”
“DragonForce recruits YouTube Musician and Comedian Stevie T (Steve Terreberry ‘Stevie T’) to Join Upcoming US Tour; Terreberry to play triangle, bass
DragonForce announced on Wednesday that musician and YouTube personality Stevie T (Steve Terreberry) will join the band for the US leg of its upcoming world tour. DragonForce guitarist Herman Li jokingly invited Stevie T to join the band this summer, asking him to play the triangle. Stevie T responded with a video on his YouTube channel, accepting Li’s offer and playing an extended triangle solo to DragonForce’s hit “Through the Fire and Flames.” Stevie T’s ground-breaking triangle solo can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jXO1gbhY8
Li said “I was deeply moved when I saw Stevie T’s technical precision and finesse on the triangle and immediately invited him to join the tour. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the greatest triangle player ever to grace this earth.” Stevie T will also step in to play bass for the band, after the departure of bassist Frédéric Leclercq, which was also announced on the band’s website on Wednesday. Leclercq’s last show with DragonForce will be this weekend at Elb-Riot in Hamburg, Germany. Li said, “We want to thank Fred for all the musical contributions and good times over the years. As sad as we are to lose him, we are excited that he is going to continue playing the music he loves. He will always be a friend and a member of the DragonForce family.””
