DragonForce go 80s glam metal in cheesy new video for Strangers

DragonForce
(Image credit: DragonForce)

DragonForce have shared their highly entertaining video for Strangers, a song lifted from their 2019 album Extreme Power Metal. 

The video sees the London-based quartet perform a "loving tribute" to the era of 80s glam rock while sporting guitars gifted from Steve Vai, used during his days with Whitesnake and David Lee Roth. Expect plenty of smouldering, powerful pouts, outrageous outfits and wind machines, because you know, it's the ’80s after all.

"This video takes place in the same '80s world as our last video (Troopers of the Stars), with the same cast and the same director." explains guitarist Herman Li. "When Roboshobo pitched the concept, I was immediately into it. I'm a huge fan of the glam rock-era of music – I love the showmanship, the guitar solos, and the endearing cheesiness.

"And the players of that time were amazing, like Steve Vai, Warren Di Martini, and Reb Beach; I think sometimes the playing gets lost, and people just remember the crazy outfits. So, this video is a loving tribute to that era – while also being authentic...

"Roboshobo told us to get some cool-looking guitars to fit the theme of the video, and the night before the shoot, I was panicking because we still hadn't found any", he continues.  "So, I texted Steve Vai and told him we were doing a glam rock video. He said, 'Come on over', and when I got there, he had pulled out THE guitars he used with Whitesnake and David Lee Roth.

"I remember seeing these guitars in magazines as a kid, so it was incredible to get to use them on set – I almost cried when he handed them to me!

"Besides the guitars, I think we all looked really hunky in our costumes, especially our hair! For a minute, I was even considering getting a perm...I know people may think we're not taking ourselves seriously enough, but I think given the state of the world, sometimes it's just nice to kick back and have a laugh with your mates. That was definitely the vibe on set - we could barely keep a straight face watching the playback."

DragonForce will also be releasing a range of super-limited merch, produced in collaboration with artist Teenage Stepdad, which can be purchased over on the band's website.

Watch the video below:

Liz Scarlett

Liz works on keeping the Louder sites up to date with the latest news from the world of rock and metal. Prior to joining Louder as a full time staff writer, she completed a Diploma with the National Council for the Training of Journalists and received a First Class Honours Degree in Popular Music Journalism. She enjoys writing about anything from neo-glam rock to stoner, doom and progressive metal, and loves celebrating women in music.