Drummer Dave Mackintosh Leaves Dragonforce

Drummer Dave Mackintosh has left DragonForce and the band have just announced a new drummer Gee Anzalone.

Anzalone also serves as a drum teacher, who graduated from the NAMM Academy of Milan and has plenty of experience playing in hard rock groups. He’ll make his live debut with the band when they start their ‘Maximum Overload’ trek in the U.K. this September.

As for Mackintosh, the drummer who appeared on the past four DragonForce albums has decided to pursue his first musical love, following a more prog rock direction. He offered a lengthy statement on his exit, which reads as follows:

After much thought I have parted ways with the boys in DragonForce to pursue my first love of progressive rock, I wish the lads all the luck in the world and look forward to the release of Maximum Overload as I truly believe this is the most fantastic DF album that I and the boys have recorded to date!

Many thanks to all the fans who have supported me in this last decade of massive tours, countless shows and all the albums, I couldn’t have done it without you.

I will continue to tour and play with some of the greatest names in Prog Rock, and hope to see some familiar faces on the road!

In the meantime, stay metal, watch out for the new Dave Mackintosh website which will be launched within the next 4 weeks as well as some great new videos I will be producing with my gear sponsors.

DF forever!!

Dave

DragonForce guitarist Herman Li also weighed in with his comments on the matter, which can be read below:

We have been through a lot with Dave and want to thank him for everything he has contributed to DragonForce, both as a friend and musician and we would all like to wish him well with his new project.

DragonForce will release their ‘Maximum Overload’ album on Aug. 18, with touring expected to really pick up this fall.