Sam Totman
Encyclopedia
Ian Samuel "Sam" Totman (born 26 April 1979 in London, UK) is a guitarist and main songwriter for the power metal
band DragonForce
. Totman was born in England, but moved to New Zealand
at an early age. He began playing classical guitar at the age of nine, receiving formal training for many years.
He was part of the blackened
power metal
band Demoniac
, which also featured his future DragonForce bandmate Herman Li
. During his time with Demoniac, Sam was referred to as Heimdall
(the Norse God of vigilance). Demoniac struggled to achieve any real fame, despite releasing 3 albums and re-locating from Wellington, New Zealand to London, UK. Due to this, Demoniac split sometime in late 1999, shortly after the album The Fire and the Wind was released. Most of the members went on to form power metal band DragonHeart, which later became known as DragonForce
. Keyboardist Steve Williams and bassist Steve Scott left DragonHeart to form Power Quest
with whom Sam recorded on their demo and first album, Wings of Forever
. Sam also provided guest instrumentation on the band's following album, Neverworld
.
Totman is the primary songwriter of DragonForce, writing both music and lyrics for a majority of their discography.
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...
. Totman was born in England, but moved to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
at an early age. He began playing classical guitar at the age of nine, receiving formal training for many years.
He was part of the blackened
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
power metal
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 Demoniac
Demoniac
Demoniac were a heavy metal band from New Zealand formed in Wellington in 1993 by singer and bass player Lindsay Dawson, guitarist Sam Totman and Drummer Steve Francis. Three of the members went on to form DragonForce...
, which also featured his future DragonForce bandmate 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...
. During his time with Demoniac, Sam was referred to as Heimdall
Heimdall
In Norse mythology, Heimdallr is a god who possesses the resounding horn Gjallarhorn, owns the golden-maned horse Gulltoppr, has gold teeth, and is the son of Nine Mothers...
(the Norse God of vigilance). Demoniac struggled to achieve any real fame, despite releasing 3 albums and re-locating from Wellington, New Zealand to London, UK. Due to this, Demoniac split sometime in late 1999, shortly after the album The Fire and the Wind was released. Most of the members went on to form power metal band DragonHeart, which later became known as 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...
. Keyboardist Steve Williams and bassist Steve Scott left DragonHeart to form Power Quest
Power Quest
Power Quest is a power metal band based in the United Kingdom.-The Power Quest Demo and Wings of Forever :Power Quest was conceived in March 2001 by keyboardist Steve Williams, who had recently departed London power metal band DragonHeart...
with whom Sam recorded on their demo and first album, Wings of Forever
Wings of Forever
Wings of Forever is Power Quest's debut album, released in 2002.-Track listing:#"Prelude to Destiny " – 1:45#"Wings of Forever" – 5:33#"Far Away" – 4:50#"Glory Tonight" – 6:08#"Power Quest " – 7:39#"Beyond the Stars" – 4:45...
. Sam also provided guest instrumentation on the band's following album, Neverworld
Neverworld
Neverworld is Power Quest's second studio album, released in 2003 in Japan and 2004 in Europe.-Track listing:# "Neverworld " – 8:59# "Temple of Fire" – 4:08# "Edge of Time" – 5:51# "Sacred Land" – 5:27# "When I'm Gone" – 6:26...
.
Totman is the primary songwriter of DragonForce, writing both music and lyrics for a majority of their discography.