DragonForce vocalist Marc Hudson is stepping back from the band’s music duties due to an ongoing issue with tinnitus.
The band announced the news on social media, confirming that Hudson will not participate in DragonForce’s forthcoming album or touring plans throughout 2026 and 2027 as he focuses on his hearing.
Hudson, who has fronted DragonForce since 2011, will remain involved with the band behind the scenes and work alongside their management on upcoming projects.
“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,” guitarist Herman Li stated. “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.”
Stepping into the male vocal role will be longtime friend of the band and Hudson’s former vocal coach, Alessio Garavello. He will share vocal duties with DragonForce frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz on the band’s upcoming material.
“When we started talking about who could step in, there was really only one name on the list,” guitarist Sam Totman said of Garavello. “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.”
DragonForce’s forthcoming album will feature a dual-vocal format with White-Gluz and Garavello, with the first new music from the record set to arrive next week.
The band have not indicated how long Hudson’s hiatus will last, though they wished the singer a speedy recovery.
DragonForce are currently scheduled to return to North America later this year for their Inhuman Rampage 20th anniversary tour with Ensiferum and Rhapsody of Fire. The 22-date run will also mark the first DragonForce tour featuring White-Gluz and Garavello sharing vocal duties.
DragonForce Inhuman Rampage 20th anniversary tour:
Nov 13 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
Nov 14 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Nov 15 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
Nov 17 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
Nov 18 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Nov 20 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
Nov 21 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
Nov 22 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)
Nov 24 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
Nov 25 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
Nov 27 – Worcester, MA – Palladium
Nov 28 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
Nov 29 – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
Dec 1 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
Dec 2 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
Dec 4 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theatre
Dec 6 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis
Dec 8 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Dec 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
Dec 11 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
Dec 12 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre
Dec 13 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Photo by Travis Shinn
