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 coun ...

. 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 ha ...

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 for ...

—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 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 ecologic ...

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

. 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 Edi ...

''. Totman also provided guest instrumentation on the band's following album ''

Neverworld 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 Edi ...

''. 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