DragonForce announces that vocalist Marc Hudson is stepping back from touring and recording duties due to ongoing tinnitus issues. Power Quest‘s Alessio Garavello, formerly Hudson‘s own vocal coach, joins Alissa White-Gluz as co-vocalist for the band’s forthcoming album and 2026/2027 touring. New songs arrive next week.
DragonForce issued the following statement: “Due to an ongoing issue with tinnitus, Marc Hudson is stepping back from DragonForce music duties for now, including the forthcoming album and touring plans in 2026/2027. In the meantime, he’ll still very much be involved with DragonForce behind the scenes, working with the band’s management on some exciting stuff you’ll start seeing later this year. Joining us for the next chapter is our longtime friend and Marc’s former vocal coach, Alessio Garavello. He will be handling the male vocals supporting frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz. DragonForce’s forthcoming album will feature a dual-vocals format, with new songs dropping starting next week.”
Guitarist Herman Li adds: “For the last fifteen years, Marc has poured his heart into this band, and his voice has become such a huge part of who we are. Protecting his hearing isn’t something we’d ever ask him to compromise on. We’d much rather have him healthy and with us for the long haul than push through now and risk that. He’s still in the room with us every day, just wearing a different hat, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Guitarist Sam Totman on Garavello: “When we started talking about who could step in, there was really only one name on the list. Alessio has been part of our story longer than most people realize. He helped shape Marc’s voice in the first place, so he understands these songs from the inside. But he’s not here to be anyone but himself, and he brings his own warmth and energy to everything he sings. Hearing him on the new material has lit a real spark in all of us.”
Hudson joined DragonForce in 2011 and appeared on every release since The Power Within (2012). Alissa White-Gluz joined the band earlier in 2026 following her departure from Arch Enemy, with Hudson already absent from live dates due to his tinnitus. Garavello is best known as the vocalist of Power Quest and brings considerable experience in the European power metal scene.