Sam Totman
Ian Samuel "Sam" Totman is an English musician, best known as a guitarist and the main songwriter for the power metal band DragonForce.
Sam Totman | |
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Sam Totman performing with DragonForce at the 2019 Rockharz | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Ian Samuel Totman |
Born | London, England |
Genres | Power metal, speed metal, black metal (early) |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | Sanctuary, Noise, Roadrunner |
Associated acts | DragonForce, Babymetal, Power Quest, Demoniac, Shadow Warriors |
Website | DragonForce.com |
Early life
Totman was born in England in 1974, but grew up mainly in New Zealand.[1] He moved back to England around age 22, mainly because England's music scene offered numerous shows to attend every week, an option he did not have in geographically isolated New Zealand.[1] He began playing classical guitar at the age of nine, receiving formal training for several years.[2]
Career
Totman was part of the blackened power metal band Demoniac, which also featured his future DragonForce bandmate Herman Li. During his time with Demoniac, Totman was referred to as Heimdall (the Norse God of vigilance). Demoniac struggled to achieve any real fame outside of Australasia, despite releasing three albums and relocating 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 Totman recorded on their demo and first album, Wings of Forever. Totman also provided guest instrumentation on the band's following album, Neverworld.
As the songwriter, Totman wrote both music and lyrics for a majority of Demoniac's discography.
References
- Ramanand, Elizabeth. "Interview: Sam Totman of DragonForce". CHARGED.fm. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- "Sam Totman – DragonForce". Retrieved 25 June 2010.