DRAGONFORCE: Los Angeles Show Canceled

Due to circumstances beyond their control, British epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE have been forced to cancel tonight's (Tuesday, October 18) sold-out show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California. The concert would have been the U.S. live debut of DRAGONFORCE's new singer Marc Hudson, who joined the band earlier this year. However, upon his arrival in L.A. on Saturday evening, Marc fell ill, contracting a virus which is preventing him from performing. Hudson made the valiant effort to try and salvage the show, consulting with a doctor last night for the final time. He was told that there was no way he could possibly perform in his condition.

DRAGONFORCE is incredibly frustrated to come all this way, only to be tripped at the last minute.

The DRAGONFORCE members extend apologies to all the L.A. fans they were looking forward to playing for, but the situation is completely and entirely out of their control.

The band's Toronto and New York City performances slated for later this week should go on as planned.

DRAGONFORCE's return to the U.S. after a two-year absence was meant to give fans a unique opportunity to preview the band's new singer and brand new songs from their highly anticipated forthcoming album before moving to the big stage with full production on their world tour which commences early 2012.

After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March welcomed 23-year-old Marc Hudson to the band to fill the boots left by ZP Theart, who parted ways with the group in March of last year.

"I'm really excited about being a part of the DRAGONFORCE family," said Marc. "It's always been my dream to dedicate my life to making music. I'm going to bring all the power and emotion I can to the songs, and help make the killer new record the fans have been waiting for!"

Born in Oxford England, Marc was picked from the thousands of applications via a number of impressive video auditions and live performances, which left the rest of the band in no doubt that they'd found their man. Since the age of 16, Marc has been building his vocal skills gigging with bands in the U.K. underground scene, developing a powerful style with influences which include Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske and Sebastian Bach.

Commented founding member and guitarist Herman Li: "After almost a year of searching around the globe, it's great to be able to finally tell our fans the good news. Marc's expressive and melodic vocals are sounding phenomenal on the new songs, adding another dimension to the DRAGONFORCE sound that I am sure all the fans will love."

The band has been working on a new album since early 2010, recording in various studios in California, London and the South of France. The follow-up to 2008's hugely successful "Ultra Beatdown" album will be highly anticipated, with top 10 and top 20 chart positions all over the world and a Grammy nomination in the United States setting the precedent. With Marc brought into the fold, the band is enjoying an injection of enthusiasm and hunger that sees DRAGONFORCE prepared to return more focused and determined than ever before.

"Everyone in the band is extremely excited about how the new material is shaping up," continued Herman. "We haven't felt this kind of energy in the band for a long time. We can't wait to unleash the next DRAGONFORCE album [in 2012]."

You can see a video clip of Marc Hudson's audition demo below.