Frédéric Leclercq
Encyclopedia
Frédéric Leclercq is the bassist and backing vocalist for power metal
band DragonForce
and the guitarist/vocalist in his own band, Maladaptive. He is a session musician
for various other bands, including George Lynch's
Souls of We
. He is also an ex-member of the French power metal band Heavenly
and played several shows with Carnival in Coal
in 2006.
According to his profile on Dragonforce.com, Leclercq can speak "French, English, German, and some dirty words in almost every language," and his signature stage move is "Black metal whiskey sculling." He was asked by Herman Li
to help DragonForce on a few shows in North America and Japan as they needed a bassist. At first, he was only supposed to play on a sessional basis, but he played with so much skill and professionalism that he was offered the position permanently.
Leclercq played sessional rhythm guitar for Swedish power metal band Sabaton
on their European tour in 2011, as regular guitarist Rikard Sundén had just become a first-time father.
, Trey Azagthoth
, and Marty Friedman
.
basses, and has a signature model, the LTD FL-600, as one of only three bassists (the others being Tom Araya
and Henkka Seppälä
). He uses an ESP horizon electric guitar whilst performing in Sabaton. For amplification he uses Peavey
Tour 700 bass amps and 8x10 bass cabinets, along with a Samson UHF Wireless System.
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
and the guitarist/vocalist in his own band, Maladaptive. He is a session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
for various other bands, including George Lynch's
George Lynch (musician)
George Lynch is a hard rock/heavy metal guitarist best known as a member of the band Dokken, his own bands Lynch Mob and Souls of We.-Pre Dokken:...
Souls of We
Souls of We
Souls of We is an American hard rock supergroup from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2007. The lineup consists of London LeGrand , George Lynch and Johny Chow...
. He is also an ex-member of the French power metal band Heavenly
Heavenly (French band)
Heavenly, a power metal/neo-classical metal band from Paris, France, was formed in 1994 by vocalist Benjamin Sotto and drummer Max Pilo. They were originally a cover band and played under the name of 'Satan's Lawyer' before evolving into a full-fledged Helloween-influenced power metal outfit, and...
and played several shows with Carnival in Coal
Carnival in Coal
Carnival in Coal was an extreme metal/avant-garde metal band from France. Founded in 1995, the band mixed death metal, black metal and other extreme metal genres with genres such as easy listening, disco, and pop.-History:...
in 2006.
According to his profile on Dragonforce.com, Leclercq can speak "French, English, German, and some dirty words in almost every language," and his signature stage move is "Black metal whiskey sculling." He was asked by Herman Li
Herman Li
Herman Li is a British Chinese musician, best known as a guitarist for the power metal band DragonForce.-Playing style:Li draws influences from rock, all sub-genres of metal as well as video game music and often mimics sounds from popular retro games from the late 80s, early-90s arcade, and PC games...
to help DragonForce on a few shows in North America and Japan as they needed a bassist. At first, he was only supposed to play on a sessional basis, but he played with so much skill and professionalism that he was offered the position permanently.
Leclercq played sessional rhythm guitar for Swedish power metal band Sabaton
Sabaton (band)
Sabaton is a Grammis-nominated power metal band from Falun, Sweden formed in 1999. The band's main lyrical themes are those of historical wars. This is heard in albums Primo Victoria, Attero Dominatus and Coat of Arms where all of the songs, except final tracks, take inspiration from historical...
on their European tour in 2011, as regular guitarist Rikard Sundén had just become a first-time father.
Playing influences
Leclercq is influenced by various guitarists such as Uli Jon Roth, Adrian SmithAdrian Smith
Adrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English musician and one of three guitarists in the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. He is also one of the band's regular songwriters and, along with bassist Steve Harris, performs backing vocals on some songs.-Biography:While at school, Smith purchased his first...
, Trey Azagthoth
Trey Azagthoth
Trey Azagthoth is an American musician best known as founder and guitarist of the Florida death metal band Morbid Angel. Azagthoth began playing at the age of 16...
, and Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman (guitarist)
Marty Friedman is a guitarist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal band Megadeth, which lasted almost a decade...
.
Equipment
Leclerq uses ESPESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
basses, and has a signature model, the LTD FL-600, as one of only three bassists (the others being Tom Araya
Tom Araya
Tom Araya is a Chilean musician, best known as the bassist and vocalist of the American thrash metal band Slayer...
and Henkka Seppälä
Henkka Seppälä
Henri Samuli Seppälä , better known as Henkka T. Blacksmith, is the bassist of the Finnish metal band Children of Bodom. Henkka is responsible for backing vocals both on studio and live....
). He uses an ESP horizon electric guitar whilst performing in Sabaton. For amplification he uses Peavey
Peavey Electronics
Peavey Electronics Corporation is one of the largest audio equipment manufacturers in the world, headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi in the United States.- History :...
Tour 700 bass amps and 8x10 bass cabinets, along with a Samson UHF Wireless System.
Former bands and projects
- Hors Normes (fusion) 1994-1996; 2000
- Memoria (heavy-black metal) 1997-1999; 2000–2001
- HeavenlyHeavenly (French band)Heavenly, a power metal/neo-classical metal band from Paris, France, was formed in 1994 by vocalist Benjamin Sotto and drummer Max Pilo. They were originally a cover band and played under the name of 'Satan's Lawyer' before evolving into a full-fledged Helloween-influenced power metal outfit, and...
(power metal) 2000-2004 - Egoine (hard rock) 2003-
- Sudel's Project (progressive rock) 2005-