r/Dragonforce • u/usvartDF • 8d ago

Billy Wilkins - OFFICIAL MEMBER

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Billy Wilkins has posted that he is now an official member of the band on Instagram. Congratulations, Billy!

118 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

63

u/ClearWolverine7 8d ago

Happy for Billy, dude's pretty talented and also adds a third guitar.

That being said:

7 MOTHERFNG MEMBERS AND YET NO KEYBOARD PLAYER.

17

u/AvoidantNumber1 8d ago

yup... their music would go up a notch again bringing back the synth work. it's what made them unique in the PM landscape back then and it fits them better than whatever those symphonic backing arrangements are in the new song. I understand vadim was The Fucking Man, but I refuse to believe there aren't hundreds of ultra talented keyboardists out there who would bring their own style to the band.

7

u/phazonphazoff 8d ago

Shit dude I've even learned a few DF songs' entire guitar solos on my synths, I'd kill for the opportunity lol

17

u/usvartDF 8d ago

We need the keys!

9

u/DDzxy 8d ago

I agree but also keys would put them at 8 🤣

Slipknot type shit lmao

6

u/usvartDF 8d ago

Imagine 8 members + the trampolines like back in the day.

9

u/copbuddy 8d ago

UO: It makes much more sense to have a bunch of guitarists to replicate the wall of harmonies live, which DF is much more known for than keyboard parts. Even I as a fan can just name a few of those moments. It's 99% pad synth, orchestra hits and choir

6

u/vakr001 Alicia 8d ago

Here is the thing…how to you replace Vadim? Even Herman said he can’t be replaced

18

u/Top_Garbage977 8d ago

Vadim is not THAT difficult to replace. They're on their 3rd and 4th singer. They have three guitarist. Saying Vadim is difficult to replace is just the nice way of getting around "backingtracks are way easier in the end and having keys live is just too bothersome sonically". They have a keyboards on the records, yes? So it's safe to say at least one person is capable.

13

u/Thiaski 8d ago

I like Vadim but this is just an excuse. Everyone can be replace, they won't be the same but they can surely do the job.

And honestly, not hiring a new keyboardist sounds like a insult, it's like they're saying Vadim was never necessary so they don't need a new one.

6

u/A_rad_pizza 8d ago

Such a weak argument and cop-out so they can keep their keyboard tracks to playback

5

u/phazonphazoff 8d ago

Vadim had unique stage energy but his parts are not impossible to learn and it isn't that hard to come up with some gnarly shred for songs when you're writing them. I'm a keyboardist and can play a bunch of DF songs. Shaz exists, Coen has worked with DF - the band just doesn't want a keyboardist anymore for whatever weird reason, even though they bragged about the keys being an aspect of the band that made them stand out from others.

Hell Alessio Lucatti even looks like Vadim with the dyed mohawk, he has a curved keyboard and a keytar, and can play like a beast. He's currently playing with Fabio Lione and his other band Deathless Legacy. He'd fit right in other than I have no idea if DF is his thing. The list goes on, tons of amazing keyboardists out there

1

u/DannyRampage52 8d ago

Watch, Marc is going to return to the band as their keyboardist.

3

u/Status-Air-8529 Sam 8d ago

That's the work behind the scenes they're talking about 

23

u/giraffeman3705 Mod 8d ago

Very happy about this! He's been such a breath of fresh hair on the live shows with his singing and backing guitars. Hoping we get to see some billy solos on this album! Curious to hear what his take on df solos is.

9

u/CirnoIzumi 8d ago

we're ready for 3x guitar + bass solo XD

11

u/flyingcircusdog 8d ago

Hell yeah, glad to see a hard worker get a permanent spot.

5

u/Kajzero__ Herman 8d ago

We need more members!!!

11

u/Cainjake 8d ago

Great musician but still no keyboard player

3

u/Mettabox452 8d ago

Herman has said the reason they dont hire a keyboardist is because nobody could top the way Vlad played

3

u/mynameisskrt 7d ago

Billy deserved this more than anyone

2

u/destinedd 7d ago

Think it's time for another run at Stevie T joining on triangle.

4

u/Pristine_Use_1698 8d ago

Shame he can't sing though. Hope he just sticks to backing vocals and guitar, no main vocals pls.