“Reasons to Live” - DragonForce bassist Frédéric Leclercq delivers an Ultra Beatdown


By Anthony Morgan

In January 2007, initial ideas regarding DragonForce's fourth studio full length were discussed. Studio work got into its groove by October, though a brief interlude occurred to accomodate The Black Crusade. By early June 2008, Ultra Beatdown was unveiled as being the eventual album title. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, and Threshold's Karl Groom, handled both production and mixing duties once again, situating themselves at both Li's BATMAM Studio in London, and Surrey, UK's Thin Ice Studios. Furthermore, Li and Groom undertook engineering duties. At Helsinki, Finland's Finnvox Studios, Mika Jussila mastered the album. Located in San Francisco, California, “Android” Jones designed the cover artwork which adorns Ultra Beatdown. Absent upon past material, bassist Frédéric Leclercq makes his studio debut as part of the group. Daily occurrences, and nothing ancient or supernatural, forms the album's lyrical content according to vocalist ZP Theart. During early July, inaugural single “Heroes of Our Time” was available for streaming via MySpace, and its actual music video was released shortly after. Later in the month of July, it was revealed that on August 21st, a DragonForce expansion pack to accompany Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock would be issued. Three tracks comprised the expansion pack, and were available to download via Xbox Live and the Playstation Network; “Heroes of Our Time”, “Revolution Deathsquad” and “Operation Ground and Pound” (the latter being its sophomore single, both cuts originally featured upon January 2006's Inhuman Rampage). On August 25st, copies of the full length were signed at London's Zavvi Megastore.

To plug the release of Ultra Beatdown, DragonForce planned a number of British dates for late September to mid October with support from Finland's Turisas. On September 30th 2008, DragonForce were scheduled to perform at Cardiff University's Great Hall as part of the tour. With this in mind, Lucem Fero contacted Roadrunner's UK office to arrange an interview. Following an email exchange, an interview was arranged with DragonForce bassist Frédéric Leclercq to commence at half past five British time. Tour manager John courteously responded to a mobile phone call, agreeing to convene inside the Great Hall's entrance. The scheduled time slot wasn't met, though John arrived some time later. Lucem Fero was quickly ushered into the venue's live area, hearing a snippet of DragonForce's soundcheck. In fear of unsettling the musicians, John immediately ushered us back towards the Great Hall's inside entrance. The clock's hand spun further, and John finally escorted us to the interview. Conducted via a sofa situated in DragonForce's dressing room, each of the group's members were present.

Leclercq approached a vast armoury of issues, such as; the group's inclusion upon North America's Rockstar Energy Mayhem festival tour package, Ultra Beatdown, “Heroes of Our Time”, upcoming music videos from DragonForce, a possible live DragonForce DVD, the bassist's time as part of Heavenly, and the latest happenings in the world of Maladaptive. A leisurely, carefree vibe pervades the air when DragonForce's members are present, in sharp contrast to the image possibly cut in the minds of those whom are unfamiliar with the group. A happy individual, Frédéric was only too willing to answer whatever questions that ventured towards his direction, and supplied frank answers. In addition, DragonForce's members were only too willing to sign autographs following the interview's conclusion. To be truthful, this interview was the most genuinely funny Lucem Fero has ever conducted, and was an immense joy from beginning to end. Irrelevant of what comments music fans make as regards DragonForce's material, these musicians are wonderful, humorous people, and Lucem Fero wishes them the best success.

 

  • First of all Frédéric, how are you?
  • I'm pretty tired to be honest, as we just finished soundcheck. Also, I think I'm going tone deaf (laughs).
  • DragonForce performed as part of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival tour package in North America, so what do you remember from that time?
  • It went well, and each audience gave us a positive reception. Prior to the tour, we were already old friends with the other groups whom were featured amongst the bill. Alongside these other groups, we had much fun. Everybody was friendly, and became drunk, so it was just like summer camp. The Mayhem Festival tour went very well, and was much better in comparison to Ozzfest. Whilst Ozzfest has very strict rules, Mayhem boasts more of a Punk Rock atmosphere in some respects. We had a pleasant time.
  • Within the States, has the Mayhem Festival's tour package helped to raise DragonForce's profile?
  • I don't know yet, as that tour package occurred immediately prior to the release of Ultra Beatdown. At the moment, we don't know many albums DragonForce has sold in America as of today. Therefore, I don't know whether the Mayhem Festival helped in raising our Stateside profile. However, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was definitely the greatest tool in raising DragonForce's Stateside profile; some music fans weren't overly familiar with us until we actually performed “Through the Fire and Flames” onstage, and “WHAAA!!” was their general reaction. I don't know whether the Mayhem Festival has helped our Stateside profile - when we're aware of DragonForce's album sales within six months to a year, then I can answer that question.
  • In light of the fact you didn't actually participate in recording sessions for Inhuman Rampage, do you like performing tracks lifted from that album?
  • Yeah, yeah. I like performing tracks originally featured upon Inhuman Rampage, and as part of this tour, we're actually performing tracks from that album as well. In addition, we're performing more tracks lifted from Ultra Beatdown. When we toured as part of the Mayhem Festival, the only track we performed from that album was “Heroes of Our Time”. As part of this tour, we're performing the following tracks from Ultra Beatdown; “Heroes of Our Time”, “Reasons to Live”, “The Warrior Inside” and “The Last Journey Home”. We tried performing the ballad during the tour's first night in Oxford, and that horribly sucked. Therefore, we're not performing that track at present.
  • Could you provide an introduction to Ultra Beatdown?
  • Uh, no (laughs). Yeah. Ultra Beatdown is DragonForce's fourth album, and the first DragonForce album to feature my contributions. To begin with, it's much superior. Ultra Beatdown is slightly more progressive, possibly. In our opinion, it's a more diverse album. I've toured the globe as part of DragonForce for two years, so we've gathered much experience. We gathered together the elements we enjoy, mixed and those ingredients.
  • When critiqued against past DragonForce albums, how does Ultra Beatdown musically compare?
  • Like I said, it's a more diverse album. Inhuman Rampage merely adopted a 200bpm speed throughout, whereas Ultra Beatdown boasts numerous breakdowns. For us, this musical approach was more interesting, and is likely more interesting from the opinion of the listener.
  • How did you inject your personality into Ultra Beatdown?
  • By wanking (laughs). No. In select instances, I just wrote a couple of parts alongside Herman Li. Also, I personally wrote one composition. I handled bass duties, and additionally performed both acoustic guitars and some rhythm guitar. Those parts evidently contain my musical style, and that's audible. As I also play guitar, I merely tried to aid songwriting in certain respects, and made personal suggestions. Having said that, DragonForce's material isn't really my kind of music, so I'd prefer to trust the judgment of fellow group members - they know what they're doing.
  • As you spend more time as part of DragonForce, will you become more confident with DragonForce's musical style, and contribute more as a songwriter?
  • Since 2000, I've performed this type of material. In the past, I was part of a group called Heavenly. They performed the same type of material, but I just dislike it. I'm comfortable with playing such material - it's Metal, so therefore that's alright. However, I dislike fantasy, dragons, swords, and performing at 200bpm complete with trumpets, and so on.
  • Obviously though, you enjoy DragonForce? DragonForce's material?
  • I like Ultra Beatdown, although it isn't really the type of material I'd listen to at home. To a certain extent, I like it. I listen to Death Metal, Black Metal, more traditional Metal, and Jazz Fusion. I both like and enjoy performing Power Metal, but don't particularly like listening to such music.
  • So what groups do you particularly enjoy listening to? Iron Maiden, and similar such groups?
  • Yeah. Of course, I enjoy listening to Iron Maiden. Also, I like Morbid Angel, Alice Cooper, Allan Holdsworth, early Scorpions, Classical music, Carcass, and music of that nature.
  • In light of the fact that Ultra Beatdown's production was handled by the same team, would you say that the album's production style mirrors that of past DragonForce albums?
  • Well, yeah. Since Ultra Beatdown's production was handled by the same team, it mirrors that of past albums in most respects. To begin with, the music contrasts when critiqued against past albums. Whilst Ultra Beatdown's production is slightly different, it was shaped via the same formula, and by the same team. Ulta Beatdown's production is slightly more mature, amazing and cute.
  • You mentioned “Through the Fire and Flames”, and how its inclusion upon Guitar Hero III affected DragonForce's profile. Did that add any pressure upon DragonForce? Did that up the stakes so to speak, and make the group feel it had to write a better album in comparison to previous DragonForce albums?
  • No, not really. In general, we don't hold any real expectations. Therefore, we don't become disappointed, nor do we feel any pressure. Prior to the beginning of this tour, we joked that nobody would attend the shows (laughs). We don't feel any real pressure - not really. The individuals who work on our behalf likely feel pressurised, such as our manager, and the people who make money. However, we don't.
  • You mentioned the fact that Ultra Beatdown's tracks are more diverse, and it's also been mentioned that the pace of the songs are more varied. Do you feel that approach appeals to a wider base?
  • It may possibly appeal to a wider base, but that wasn't our intention in penning Ultra Beatdown's tracks. Actually, some music fans might possibly enjoy the album's diversity. For example, “Reasons to Live”'s beginning features blast beats, and is a very dark number, so that's an aspect which fans can enjoy. On the other hand, those who hold a preference towards Prog can enjoy some of the song sections. We didn't write Ultra Beatdown with the intention of entertaining fans, but actually entertaining ourselves as musicians.
  • As a musician, you like to experiment?
  • Yeah, exactly.
  • In addition, it's been said that Ultra Beatdown contains more melodic depth in comparison to past DragonForce albums. Would you agree with that?
  • Yeah.
  • Do you hold a preference towards melodic depth?
  • Yeah. In comparison to past DragonForce albums, I definitely prefer Ultra Beatdown. Then again, like I said, Power Metal isn't material I prefer.
  • Do you feel that performing faster material, and then introducing melodic depth, is a great approach? Writing more varied material?
  • Yeah. I'm the type of musician who becomes rapidly bored, so I might as well write diverse parts.
  • Can you discuss Ultra Beatdown's lyrical content?
  • I don't really know, as I didn't contribute towards Ultra Beatdown's lyrical content. I'm not English anyway, so that's a nice way to escape this question (laughs). I didn't really read the lyrics, though I perceive their actual meaning on certain levels. Some tracks refer to members of the group, but no-one can know who they specifically refer to given the fact they're extremely private jokes. We attempted to alter the lyrics, and used use overtly fantasy-esque words to actually say that a certain person is a prick and so on. Ultra Beatdown's lyrical content is very funny, for us at least. Whether the listener also feels the same way, I'm not sure.
  • Have you read the lyrics written in support of Ultra Beatdown, and formed your own personal interpretation as regards their meaning?
  • Again, these lyrics don't appeal to me. For that reason, I don't really pay attention to such things. I know the meanings behind Ultra Beatdown's lyrical content, and feel that they're humorous. I wouldn't wri.. (Turisas accordionist Netta Skog speaks to Frédéric, and hands him a notebook containing Finnish phrases). Thanks a lot. These are my Finnish lessons (points to notebook) .. I wouldn't write those kind of lyrics anyway. Yeah, that's Netta from Turisas. She's giving me Finnish lessons, whereas I'm giving her French lessons.

    (Vocalist ZP Theart following Frédéric Leclercq's answer: “French lessons? I'll give you fucking French lessons for the day. Come on!!” (does thrusting motions))
  • (Laughs). Can you discuss your bass contributions to Ultra Beatdown?
  • Yeah. What do you wish to know regarding my bass contributions (laughs)?
  • When recording your bass contributions, what did you seek?
  • I sought to make my bass contributions interesting somewhat. In my opinion, the bass featured upon DragonForce's past material wasn't really amazing. Then again, there isn't much space for bass upon DragonForce's material; it's extremely fast, and features tons of guitar. When a small gap opens in between the guitars, trumpets or choirs fill that specific space. Therefore, the bass has to lie in the back anyway. As much as was feasible, I attempted not to interfere with the five hundred notes already present. Basically, I followed the bass drums. I felt no pressure, anyway. I just handled bass, as someone had to.
  • In terms of featuring your bass playing upon Ultra Beatdown's tracks, was it difficult? Herman and Sam prominently play guitar upon DragonForce's tracks, so was it difficult trying to imprint your musical contribution upon Ultra Beatdown?
  • No, it wasn't really difficult at all. I experienced more joy recording both rhythm and acoustic guitar, as opposed to cutting my bass contributions. When recording my bass contributions, I felt; “Yeah, this is bass. Somebody has to do it - it's me”. I worked more on my rhythm, and acoustic, guitar contributions.
  • Would you class yourself as more of a rhythm guitarist, as opposed to a bassist?
  • I'm a guitarist, and that's my instrument. In 2006, I joined DragonForce so that I could be of help. Finally, I became part of the group. I don't play bass, really. Obviously, I play bass onstage, and recorded bass contributions in support of Ultra Beatdown. I'm not a bass player, however. I didn't grow up watching Steve Harris (Iron Maiden bassist), Lemmy (Motörhead vocalist / bassist), or Billy Sheehan, and never said; “Wow! I love that”. I just listened to other musicians, and played guitar.
  • You were more into musicians such as Adrian Smith and Dave Murray (guitarists as part of Iron Maiden)?
  • Yeah, exactly.
  • Can you talk me through the filming of “Heroes of Our Time”'s music video?
  • The video? “Heroes of Our Time”'s music video was filmed near Helsinki, in Finland. For the video's concept, some of us were given rough ideas, though I wasn't - I had other things to attend to. Once we arrived, everything was mostly ready. In short, we just spent the day looking like idiots. Their job was to make us look hunky, and cute. I think they failed (laughs).
  • (Laughs) Will future music videos be filmed in support of tracks from Ultra Beatdown?
  • Yeah, though I'm unsure whether I can reveal any details at present. One music video will be filmed in Los Angeles, and that will be filmed during the beginning of November. We're not quite sure which track will feature within the video. I think I know which track will feature, though I don't wish to reveal which. We're definitely going to film a music video in November though.
  • Which of Ultra Beatdown's tracks would you like to be the subject of a music video?
  • Personally, I'd like to film a music video in support of “Reasons to Live”, which happens to be my favourite track from Ultra Beatdown. However, I think we're aiming to film a music video for “The Last Journey Home”. That's a song I like as well, so that's fine.
  • So the choice of track isn't fully decided, but will likely be “The Last Journey Home”?
  • Probably, and that's what... I'm not making decisions. As it's very different from the tracks we usually write, I think this upcoming music video will likely feature “The Last Journey Home”.
  • Does this upcoming music video have a rough script, or will it be a performance video?
  • We don't know yet, though we still have another month to figure out a script. We'll probably look like stupid cunts, and play guitar with no actual story behind the video. I don't know (laughs). If we're lucky, we'll have a green screen behind us, featuring soldiers, aliens, dragons, and plastic swords. I don't know (laughs).
  • (Laughs) Alright. Are there any plans to issue a live DragonForce DVD?
  • We're still thinking about issuing a live DVD, though we won't at present. We've just began our UK tour, and we sound pretty horrible. Therefore, we still need time to become familiar with the new stage set up and so on. However, we'll eventually release a live DVD. It might not be issued during 2009, but actually 2010. It might even be released during 2009 - who knows? We'll definitely issue a live DVD, but we'll take our time so that we can compile something interesting. We don't rush the process, and issue a fucking Youtube quality DVD.
  • Would this future live DVD be issued to coincide with the release of DragonForce's fifth album, or would it be issued prior to the group's next full length?
  • Like I said, we don't know yet. Ha, you want to know everything (laughs).
  • (Laughs) Well that's what journalists are supposed to do.
  • Yeah, yeah. You're getting nothing from me (laughs). To tell you the truth, we don't know yet.
  • You mentioned you were previously part of Heavenly's lineup. Looking back, how do you view your time as part of that group?
  • That was fun. As part of Heavenly, I embarked upon my first tours and so on. Musically, it was shite (laughs). I still play alongside bassist Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson and drummer Maxence Pilo, as part of another group called called Maladaptive. I was really happy to play with Heavenly. there are no hard feelings; there were some tensions when I left Heavenly, although everything's fine now.
  • Of the albums you recorded as part of Heavenly, do you have a favourite?
  • I actually enjoyed recording Sign of the Winner, as everything went so well. It was sunny outside, so I actually have some very good memories of travelling to Denmark.
  • Does Maladaptive have any future plans?
  • I think we're going to recruit the singer from Carnival In Coal, a French group who were once signed to Earache Records. Arno Strobl, the group's singer, is going to sing as part of Maladaptive, I think. We might have a team featured on our upcoming material, and wacky sounds will be sung. Again, I'm currently taking my time. In addition, I'm very busy as part of DragonForce.
  • In the coming years, where would you like to take your career?
  • My career? I don't know. I'd like to keep performing as part of DragonForce, become more famous, and lose more hair (laughs).
  • Do you have a message for the fans of DragonForce?
  • Thanks for supporting us obviously, and thanks for coming to DragonForce's shows. Thanks to you as well, and I look forward to chatting to you in the future.
  • Thanks for the interview Frédéric, it's much appreciated. Take care, and goodbye.
  • Bye.