Pyro: G'day Vadim. How's it going?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Hey Pyro. It's all good here in Toronto, Canada. I'm hanging out here with Dave. How are you?
Pyro: Pretty good mate. Now, first up, cheers for your time. I'm looking forward to catching the gig next month so thanks in advance for finally making it out here.Vadim Pruzhanov: Thanks. I'm really looking forward to it. I've been getting loads of emails from fans in Australia. We're already excited and we're not even there yet.
Pyro: For the people that don't know, can you briefly explain how and when Dragonforce formed?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Before Dragonforce started off, Herman and Sam were playing in a Black Metal band, and they wanted to do something more melodic, something fast and something still extreme in a certain way of thinking. They formed Dragonheart at that time and they found ZP through a magazine. They did a demo called 'Valley Of The Damned' and it became really popular, especially after putting it on the internet. A lot of our success is to do with the the internet. In the first 5 months, there were over half a million downloads of 'Valley Of The Damned'. Shortly after we released the 'Valley Of The Damned' [album]. We did a lot of touring - the UK and Europe, Japan with Helloween and stuff like that. We did some shows abroad, some festivals lik Gods Of Metal, we did Wacken, then after that the press and people from magazines really started to notice the band. We did a headlining tour in the UK where all the shows were sold out. I think that the press and media also really helped. It created a lot of hype that appeared out of nowhere. I think 'Inhuman Rampage' is another step up for us. This album is creating more word of Dragonforce. We've got a video out there and being shows all over the world-
Pyro: -Yeah it's a pretty cool video. Very cheesy but a good laugh.
Vadim Pruzhanov: Yeah it's been pretty cool. The shoot was meant to be 3 days but we did everything on one day. We woke up early and spent the entire day shooting. I think it's a cool video. We're really excited to have the opportunity to go to places like Australia.
Pyro: I have always been curious about this. As one of the more prolific recent Power Metal bands, what sort of albums sales has Dragoforce experienced? Are you happy with how they've sold?
Vadim Pruzhanov: We're all really pleased. I'm not sure exactly about the numbers but we've been going really, unexpectedly well. The music's tighter, the fans are pleased. I mean, we love to tour and travel, love making music and to see different countries and fans, and play different crowds of people is great.
Pyro: In all honesty, have you guys been intending on playing Australia for long or was it an opportunity that really came to you in the form of a keen promoter?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Well, we've always thought about going to Australia but we never really knew when the right time to go was and we didn't know we had a lot of fans. People had been writing emails to us though so we had some idea.
We're doing the Canada tour, then America, then Australia so they sort of link up in a way. It's quite easy for us to please all the people around this territory.
Pyro: 'Inhuman Rampage' has been officially released as of the beginning of the year, looking back is there anything you would change about the album overall, or any specific details you're not quite satisfied with?
Vadim Pruzhanov: I think the album came out really well. It sounds cool and I'm proud of it. It took us 6 months to record it and every day, every song was evolving non-stop. If we didn't have a deadline we would never have finished the album. I still look back and hear the album and hear bits I'd like to change. That's one of the benefits of seeing us live. Not only do you get the show (we run around, jump all over the place and do all kinds of weird stuff) but we also refine songs, adding extra melodies and parts that didn't appear on the album.
Pyro: So it will sound a bit different to the studio recording?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Yes. We're still gonna play the songs, but we'll make them more exciting. The way I see it you can always add stuff to them and improve.
Pyro: I know it's early days but have you lads started work on a new album?
Vadim Pruzhanov: No. You see, we don't think it's right to start recording songs and working on the next album because the sound and the songs won't be as fresh. They'll be too similar to 'Inhuman Rampage'. When we record the new album it'll be another era at another point in time so that when we release it, it will be something different. It's hard work for us. We basically hate recording. Recording is the hard work. I did most of my stuff at nighttime. I've always got inspiration and night. It's like you're doing homework, and the tour is the party time after it's all done. Recording an album is always a pain, there's alot of hard work and sleepless night and going crazy, worrying, trying to make things work.
Pyro: Have you got any other releases planned? Maybe a live album or a DVD?
Vadim Pruzhanov: There's been loads of people talking about us doing a DVD and we definitely will do one at some point in time but for now there's no reason for us to do one. We'd like to have enough material, enough ammunition to go out there and do a really good show with loads of songs. I don't feel like we have enough albums out. If you do a DVD after releasing just a few albums it won't be too great. We'd like to mature more and get used to the stage. We don't want to rush out there and not do a proper show. We want to do the best possible thing, plan it all out and have a great crew because we're all perfectionists with the way we do things.
Pyro: Are you happy with the way Roadrunner has been handling business?
Vadim Pruzhanov: It's going great. People have been really keen to help us out and it's been good.
Pyro: How many albums are left on the current contract?
Vadim Pruzhanov: To be honest, I don't really know. I don't really deal with the business end of things. If you asked our band manager he'd know but I haven't got a clue to be honest.
Pyro: Are you involved with any other musical projects at this time?
Vadim Pruzhanov: No I'm not. For the time being I'm only concentrating on Dragonforce. It takes up most of my time. None of us are doing any side-projects. Touring just kicks in and most of the year is almost pre-planned from us. We get told "Don't book any holidays for this mont, this month and that month because you're playing here, here and there". I still play guitar when I can but I haven't been playing for 4 or 5 months because of the touring. It's been pretty hectic since 'Inhuman Rampage' was released.
Pyro: A lot of members in bands playing a particular style of music don't listen to a lot of it in their spare time. Do you listen to a lot of Melodic/Power Metal yourself?
Vadim Pruzhanov: I used to listen to loads of Power Metal but now I listen to quite a few different styles. I get bored with the same thing. I like some Steve Vai, Malmsteen, I like some Proggy stuff, Pop Rock, Fusion stuff, loads of Devin Townsend. There's loads of bands, especially really cool new bands out there but I always get bored quickly with things and I move on and listen to something new, something unusual. I never judge music by its trends or what the bands looks like, I try to see them for their music and make up my own mind.
Pyro: For the Australian fans planning on seeing Dragoforce live for the first time, how long will you be playing for?Vadim Pruzhanov: An hour and a half or so. It's going to be a really heavy set. We've got loads of material. I can't really tell you but we have one or two surprises too. I can't wait. I'm really fired up.
Pyro: If the Aussie tour goes well for you, are you going to come back to Australia for the next album?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Definitely. It should be cool. Are you coming down to see us, around the middle of May I think?
Pyro: Yeah, I'll be at the Sydney show. You seem pretty entertaining in your video clips so hopefully that energy transfers to the live show.
Vadim Pruzhanov: Thanks man. It's going to be really cool. There's going to be loads of chaos on stage, loads of running around and stuff like that. I don't know if the crowd will get a mosh pit going or maybe if there'll be any crowd surfing. I don't know how big the venue will be.
Pyro: The Sydney venue capacity is around 850 from memory including upstairs so I'm sure there'll be a decent crowd.
Vadim Pruzhanov: That should be fun. Get all the fans to stick around after the show. We love meeting people because they're all so different every place we go. It's cool to hang out.
Pyro: So, no hiding away backstage after the gig?
Vadim Pruzhanov: No, no. Once the gig is finished we always like to come out and meet people. We're happy to sign stuff, drink with people if we have time, you know. Even when we've got to leave straight away we try and come out and sign stuff. If fans stick around they'll get to meet us.
Pyro: Have you got much site seeing planned while you're in Australia?
Vadim Pruzhanov: If we have time, yeah. It's always tricky. It depends if we have interviews, travel and so on but we'd love to.
Pyro: Have you had the opportunity to hear many Australian metal bands?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Not really. I'm sure I've heard a few of them but I'm not aware of them being Australian.
Pyro: Have you heard Black Majesty at this stage (who are supporting you on the Australian tour)?
Vadim Pruzhanov: Black Majesty? Dave's heard of them, and was saying they're really cool. I've heard the band name but not their music. The name sounds good [laughter]
Pyro: Killer band.
Vadim Pruzhanov: Cool.
Pyro: Time for the wrap-up questions I think. Do you have a personal favourite Dragonforce album?
Vadim Pruzhanov: I can't really pick one because each album stands out in its own way and defines the era which we recorded it. To me, every album is equally special. I could be in an 'Inhuman Rampage' mood now, tomorrow I might be in a 'Valley Of The Damned' mood, then 'Sonic Firestorm'. It's just like having children and saying "this one is better, no that one is better". When you have children, they are all equally good, you can't judge them. If I say 'Valley' I'd by lying, if I said 'Inhuman' I'd be lying.
Pyro: You've played alongside a lot of bands since forming including headlining European tours and a few festivals, are there and bands you thought really stood out?
Vadim Pruzhanov: We grew up listening to stuff like Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer. We've always been fans of Maiden. They put on a great live show. Maiden are definetely up there.
Pyro: That's about it. Thanks for your time.
Vadim Pruzhanov: No worries, thanks very much for having me Pyro. I hope to see you at the gig. Thanks for the interview.
Pyro: Enjoy the rest of 'em.
Vadim Pruzhanov: Thanks. Bye.
- Pyro
