Valley of the Damned (album)

Valley of the Damned
Studio album by DragonForce
Format	CD
Released	25 February 2003
Genre	Power Metal
Length	51:48 (original release); 57:38 (with bonus track)
Label	Universal, Roadrunner
Writer(s)	Herman Li, Sam Totman, ZP Theart, Vadim Pruzhanov, Steve Williams
DragonForce album chronology

Valley of the Damned is the debut album by English power metal band DragonForce. In 2000, while their name was still DragonHeart, a demo version of the album was recorded and sent to Noise Records, subsequently gaining DragonHeart a deal with the label. It was later rerecorded in late 2000 and released as the band's debut studio album on February 25, 2003, following the band's obtainance of the deal with Noise Records. Furthermore, after discovering the existence of another band with the name DragonHeart, it was decided that they would change their name to DragonForce, the new moniker being clearly visible at the cover's top. This album was set to be remastered and released with a bonus DVD on September 24, 2007 but was subsequently delayed and was set for release in the UK on May 24, 2009. Herman Li stated that the remastered version of the album along with the rerelease of Sonic Firestorm will be released on February 22, 2010. This is the last album to feature ZP Theart on vocals before his departure.

Production[]

The initial demo was recorded on April 8 – April 12 and on May 27 2000 then mixed the following day at Thin Ice Studios with Karl Groom engineering. The rerecording for the album in 2002 mostly took place at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey, by Karl Groom, and at Lamer Luser Studios in London, by Herman Li, from July – October 2002 except for the drum tracks, which were recorded at Jail House Studios in Denmark, by Tommy Hansen, in May 2002. It was then mixed by Karl Groom, Herman Li and Sam Totman at Thin Ice Studios and mastered at Aubitt Studio by Rob Aubrey and Herman Li.

Track listing[]

Original release
No.	Title	Music	Lyrics	Length
1.	"Invocation of Apocalyptic Evil"	Vadim Pruzhanov	instrumental	0:15
2.	"Valley of the Damned"	Sam Totman	Totman, ZP Theart	7:12
3.	"Black Fire"	Totman	Totman, Theart	5:47
4.	"Black Winter Night"	Totman	Totman, Theart	6:30
5.	"Starfire"	Totman	Totman, Theart	5:54
6.	"Disciples of Babylon"	Herman Li	Theart	7:17
7.	"Revelations"	Totman	Totman, Theart	6:52
8.	"Evening Star"	Li	Li, Theart	6:40
9.	"Heart of a Dragon"	Totman	Totman, Theart	5:24

Japanese edition/2010 reissue
No.	Title	Music	Lyrics	Length
10.	"Where Dragons Rule"	Totman, Steve Williams	Williams, Theart	5:50

Bonus DVD[]

2003[]

2010[]

The bonus DVD includes interviews with the band members and producer regarding the Valley of the Damned period and the remix, professionally filmed footage from their first Japanese tour, two commentaries; one from Herman Li and Vadim Pruzhanov and one from ZP Theart and Karl Groom, backstage footage from a live performance in Japan and from the recording, in Denmark, and remixing session for the album.

Valley of the Damned - Live

With commentary from Herman Li and Vadim Pruzhanov
With commentary from Karl Groom and ZP Theart

Go backstage with DragonForce before and after the show

Backstage footage
With commentary from Herman Li and Vadim Pruzhanov

Interviews

Interviews with the band and producer "Hear what they have to say"

Recording Valley of the Damned

Recording Valley of the Damned Drum recording sessions at Jailhouse Studios in Denmark
With commentary from Herman Li and Vadim Pruzhanov

Remixing Valley of the Damned

Remixing Valley of the Damned
With commentary from Herman Li and Vadim Pruzhanov

Personnel[]

Standard album[]

Band members[]

ZP Theart – vocals
Herman Li – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals, mixing, mastering, engineering, logo concept
Sam Totman – lead & rhythm guitars, mixing
Diccon Harper - bass
Vadim Pruzhanov – keyboards, piano
Didier Almouzni – drums