Ian Samuel Totman is an English-born New Zealand musician best known as guitarist and main songwriter for the
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
band
DragonForce
DragonForce are a British power metal band from London, England. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, and are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics and retro video game-influenced ...
.
Early life
Totman was born in England and grew up mainly in
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
.
He moved back to England around age 22 because England's music scene offered numerous shows to attend every week—an option he did not have in geographically isolated New Zealand.
[ He began playing classical guitar at the age of nine—receiving formal training for several years.]
Career
Totman was part of the black
Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ...
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
band Demoniac
Demoniac were a heavy metal band from New Zealand formed in Wellington in 1993 by singer and bass player Lindsay Dawson, guitarist Sam Totman and Drummer Steve Francis. They later moved to London, UK. Three of the members went on to form ...
—which also featured his future DragonForce bandmate Herman Li
Herman Li (; born 3 October 1976) is a Hong Kong-born British musician who is one of two lead guitarists for the power metal band DragonForce. Li has played with the band based in England since it was formed in 1999 by Li along with Sam Totman, ...
. During his time with Demoniac Totman was referred to as Heimdall
In Norse mythology, Heimdall (from Old Norse Heimdallr) is a god who keeps watch for invaders and the onset of Ragnarök from his dwelling Himinbjörg, where the burning rainbow bridge Bifröst meets the sky. He is attested as possessing forekno ...
(the Norse God of vigilance). Demoniac struggled to achieve any real fame outside of Australasia
Australasia is a region that comprises Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term is used in a number of different contexts, including geopolitically, physiogeographically, philologically, and ecologi ...
despite releasing three albums and relocating to London, UK. 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
DragonForce are a British power metal band from London, England. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, and are known for their long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-themed lyrics and retro video game-influenced ...
. Keyboardist Steve Williams and bassist Steve Scott left Dragonheart to form Power Quest
Power Quest are an English power metal band from Southampton. The line-up consists of keyboardist Steve Williams, drummer Rich Smith, vocalist Ashley Edison, guitarists Glyn Williams and George "The Kid" Karafotis, and bassist Bradley Ediso ...
with whom Totman recorded on their demo as well as their first album ''Wings of Forever
Power Quest are an English power metal band from Southampton. The line-up consists of keyboardist Steve Williams, drummer Rich Smith, vocalist Ashley Edison, guitarists Glyn Williams and George "The Kid" Karafotis, and bassist Bradley Ediso ...
''. 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
External links
Totman's profile at DragonForce.com
DragonForce official website
1979 births
DragonForce members
English heavy metal guitarists
English emigrants to New Zealand
Living people
Musicians from London
Rhythm guitarists
{{Guitarist-stub