Chad Bowar: Was your approach to Ultra Beatdown different than your previous albums?
Herman Li: Yes. We knew before we started that this would be the hardest album to do. We’ve done three albums, and each new one is going to be harder, because you’ve already done certain things and can’t repeat it again. That’s why it’s hard. Because we knew that would happen, we knew what we shouldn’t be doing on this album compared to Inhuman Rampage. We were much more open to ideas.
This is bassist Frederic Leclercq's first studio album. What did he add to the songwriting process?
He brings a different kind of edge. We knew how to play solos, but we needed to find a different kind of rhythm and beat behind the solos. We attempted to mine his brain for that.
How do you and Sam split up the guitar parts?
For the solos, we pretty much split them equally. We have a book where we write down who is playing what part in each song. We get equal amounts of playing.
You produced and mixed the new CD. How come you do it that way instead of bringing in outside producers or mixers?
I’ve always done it since the first album. Sam has started doing more producing from the last album onward. We want to look after the album ourselves. We don’t want someone else to mix the Dragonforce sound. We always build the sound ourselves.
Each of your CDs has been more successful. What are the expectations for Ultra Beatdown?
I don’t expect anything from it. We just try to make the best music possible at the time. You can’t really expect what happens next. It’s not like math.
You probably didn’t anticipate a song being on Guitar Hero, which was really a big boost for the last CD.
Yes. On the last album “Through The Fire And Flames” has gone gold in America, which is quite a big thing for this type of music. We’re not a radio band.
Will any songs from the new CD be on Guitar Hero?
There is going to be a download pack for Guitar Hero 3. It will have a new song and two songs from the last album. People can get it on Xbox Live and the Playstation Network. That’s coming out the same day the album comes out.
You’re currently playing the Rockstar Mayhem Festival with Slipknot, Disturbed, Mastodon, Machine Head and a bunch of other bands. How has it been going so far?
It’s definitely a great tour, and one of the best festival tours we’ve done. It’s cool.
Were there any bands that you weren’t familiar with before that you’re enjoying?
Yes. Five Finger Death Punch. They are really cool.
You guys are legendary for your partying abilities. Are you slowing down any as you get older?
We’re not old enough yet. We’re still young and fresh and have a few years to do that yet. We have good fun. That’s why we go on tour. Most people on this tour are having fun as well.
Are you playing any new songs on the Mayhem Festival tour?
We’re playing “Heroes Of Our Time,” which is the first single off Ultra Beatdown. The video is also out right now.
What are your tour plans after that?
After that we’re going on a headlining tour for Ultra Beatdown. That’s going to roll into Australia and Japan. Hopefully we’ll come back to America very soon.
This year at NAMM your signature Ibanez guitar was unveiled. How much input did you have in its design?
I’m a total pain in the ass, so every single little detail is there for a reason. I worked with Ibanez for years to get it perfect.
What makes the Herman Li model unique?
There are a few things I had to have. It had to be the guitar I play. It wasn’t going to be a low end duplicate. The one that people get in the shops is the same model that I play. It’s from the same factory. It’s not a guitar with a different color and someone’s name on it with no functionality or features that makes it better. The guitar has its own unique pickups, a unique switching system, a unique bridge. You can do all kinds of whammy bar stuff and that kind of thing. It’s easier to play, which you need with all that fast shredding.
When you first picked up the guitar, could you have ever imagined that some day people would be buying a guitar with your name on it?
I dreamed about it, but I never it was going to happen. It took a lot of years of playing and experiencing different types of guitars to understand how a guitar should be.
Who are some guitarists you admire?
My favorite guitar players are from the mid ‘80s, like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. For me, they are my heroes. It’s different for me to look at younger players now. I’m not a fanboy anymore. There are good players like Alexi Laiho from Children Of Bodom, Gus G from Firewind. There are a lot of good guitar players out there.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
People should listen to the album, and see if they think it’s good or not!
