DragonForce announce Alissa White-Gluz as new vocalist and first frontwoman in band’s history
DragonForce have announced on May 6, 2026 that Alissa White-Gluz is joining the band as their new vocalist and first-ever frontwoman. The Canadian singer, widely recognized for her years fronting Arch Enemy, takes on the role as a second lead vocalist alongside existing singer Marc Hudson, who remains in the group. The move marks a major shift for one of extreme power metal's most distinctive acts.
The new lineup will make its live debut on May 9 at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida, followed by Sonic Temple on May 17 in Columbus, Ohio. Both performances double as the launch of the band’s 20th anniversary celebrations for “Inhuman Rampage”, the 2006 album that generated the worldwide phenomenon “Through the Fire and Flames” — certified gold, 23 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, and the notoriously demanding final boss of Guitar Hero III. The band has also confirmed that a tenth studio album is currently in progress.
The pairing is not without precedent: White-Gluz previously collaborated with DragonForce on an alternative version of “Burning Heart” from their 2023 album “Warp Speed Warriors”, a session that clearly laid the groundwork for this permanent arrangement. Co-founder and lead guitarist Herman Li stated that having Alissa in the room changes everything, as she improves all aspects of the band’s music — not just the vocals. White-Gluz described her excitement at being able to draw on all the colors of her voice in technically demanding and energizing material. Joining DragonForce does not mean stepping away from her other work: both her solo album — featuring collaborators including Jeff Loomis and Oliver Palotai — and her new band Blue Medusa remain active.
