DRAGONFORCE Singer MARC HUDSON Is 'Stepping Back' Due To 'Ongoing Issue With Tinnitus'; Replacement Announced

Singer Marc Hudson is "stepping back" from recording and performing with DRAGONFORCE due to an ongoing issue with tinnitus. Replacing him in the studio and on the road will be Alessio Garavello, who previously filled in for Marc in DRAGONFORCE in 2016 and in 2023. Alessio will be handing the male vocals in DRAGONFORCE, supporting frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz (ex-ARCH ENEMY),whose addition to the band was announced in May 2026.

Earlier today (Saturday, September 19),DRAGONFORCE released the following statement via social media: "Due to an ongoing issue with tinnitus, Marc Hudson is stepping back from DRAGONFORCE music duties for now including the forthcoming album and touring plans in 2026/2027. In the meantime, he'll still very much be involved with DRAGONFORCE behind the scenes, working with the band's management on some exciting stuff you'll start seeing later this year!

"Joining us for the next chapter is our longtime friend and Marc's former vocal coach, Alessio Garavello. He will be handing the male vocals supporting frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz.

"DRAGONFORCE's forthcoming album will feature a dual-vocals format, with new songs dropping starting next week."

DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li commented: "For the last fifteen years, Marc has poured his heart into this band, and his voice has become such a huge part of who we are. Protecting his hearing isn't something we'd ever ask him to compromise on. We'd much rather have him healthy and with us for the long haul than push through now and risk that. He's still in the room with us every day, just wearing a different hat, and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Added DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman: "When we started talking about who could step in, there was really only one name on the list. Alessio has been part of our story longer than most people realize. He helped shape Marc's voice in the first place, so he understands these songs from the inside. But he's not here to be anyone but himself, and he brings his own warmth and energy to everything he sings. Hearing him on the new material has lit a real spark in all of us, and we think you're going to love him as much as we do."

DRAGONFORCE's largest North American tour in more than two decades will bring the world's fastest band to 22 cities this November and December, with support from ENSIFERUM and RHAPSODY OF FIRE. Beginning at San Diego's Observatory on Friday, November 13, dates will stretch from New York City's Palladium Times Square to Chicago's Riviera Theatre, Los Angeles's Wiltern and beyond, further marking 2026 as the start of DRAGONFORCE's biggest, boldest and most electrifying era yet.

DRAGONFORCE previewed the forthcoming tour with two festival performances in May 2026 at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple, which were "riotously received" (Metal Hammer) and "epic" (Metal Injection).

As the preeminent pioneers of extreme power metal, now joined by one of metal's legendary vocalists, DRAGONFORCE have welcomed tens of millions of listeners into the fold through the seismic history of "Inhuman Rampage" and their eternally joyous, adrenaline-filled music. Founded in 1999 and based between Los Angeles and London, they have rewritten the rules of heavy metal, while redefining the possibilities of their respective instruments.

Since the release of "Inhuman Rampage" and its signature anthem "Through The Fire And Flames" — the notoriously unbeatable final boss of "Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock" — the Grammy-nominated band have continued to blow the minds of musicians and gamers everywhere. They have been heard in "Despicable Me 4", "Fortnite Festival", "Brawl Stars", "Asphalt Legends" and beyond, and seen on the covers of dozens of magazines. They have shared stages with IRON MAIDEN, Ozzy Osbourne, SLIPKNOT, METALLICA and many more.