Sam Totman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Totman
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Sam Totman performing with DragonForce at the 2019 Rockharz
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ian Samuel Totman |
| Born | London, England |
| Origin | New Zealand |
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| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1992–present |
Ian Samuel Totman is a musician from New Zealand. He was born in England. He is famous for being the guitarist and main songwriter for the band DragonForce. DragonForce plays a type of music called power metal.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Sam Totman was born in England. He spent most of his childhood growing up in New Zealand. When he was about 22 years old, Sam moved back to England. He did this because England had many music shows. New Zealand, where he lived, did not have as many concerts. Sam started playing the classical guitar when he was nine. He took lessons for several years to learn properly.
Music Career
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sam played guitar in a band called Karnage. This band was based in Masterton, New Zealand. They released one demo tape called "Dead."
Demoniac and Early Bands
Sam was also part of a black metal and power metal band named Demoniac. In this band, he played with Herman Li, who would later join him in DragonForce. When he was in Demoniac, Sam was known as Heimdall. This name comes from a Norse god. Demoniac released three albums. They even moved to London, UK. However, they did not become very famous outside of Australia and New Zealand.
Demoniac broke up around late 1999. This happened shortly after their album The Fire and the Wind came out. Most of the band members then formed a new power metal band called DragonHeart. This band later changed its name to DragonForce.
Power Quest
Two members, keyboardist Steve Williams and bassist Steve Scott, left DragonHeart. They formed a band called Power Quest. Sam Totman helped them by recording on their demo. He also played on their first album, Wings of Forever. Sam even played as a guest musician on their next album, Neverworld.
DragonForce Songwriter
Sam Totman is the main songwriter for DragonForce. He has written both the music and the words for most of DragonForce's songs.
Playing Style
Sam Totman is known for his special guitar playing techniques. He uses both hands to tap on the guitar strings. He also uses the whammy bar a lot. Sam plays very fast by using alternate picking. He also plays quick scale runs, which are fast sequences of notes. He uses a technique called sweeping. These are all types of "shred-guitar" techniques. He uses them in his solo parts and when playing in harmony with Herman Li. Like Herman Li, Sam uses these techniques to make sounds that remind people of video game music.
