Nik Nocturnal Podcast 69. Herman Li (DragonForce) | Nik Nocturnal Podcast
Jan 13, 2026
Herman Li, the lead guitarist of the legendary power-metal band DragonForce, dives into his eclectic journey from London to California. He reflects on the culture shock and how it shaped his experiences. Herman also shares insights about their video game-inspired album, massive stage props, and fan interactions that include arcade machines. He discusses parenting through gaming and the positive impact on his guitar skills. Lastly, Herman explores evolving guitar techniques and the desire for authentic live performances in the age of streaming and AI.
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Reconnecting And Culture Shock
- Herman Li and Nik Nocturnal reconnect in person after years apart at the Nocturnal Awards. They compare cultural shocks when Herman moved from the UK to the US and joked about friendliness differences.
Gaming Aesthetic Became Creative Fuel
- DragonForce leaned into video game culture on their last album and stage shows to revisit childhood passions. Herman says the band intentionally brought gaming aesthetics back into the music and live production.
Big Dragons And Tour Props
- Herman describes the massive stage props like dragons and arcade machines that DragonForce tour with. He shares a funny detail that one of the big dragons was 'adopted' by a friend and lives next to a pool.