London based Power Metal band DRAGONFORCE was, for much of their early career, known as DRAGONHEART, issuing a demo entitled 'Valley Of The Damned' under this former title. The band became operational during 1999 but upfront of signing to the Sanctuary label the band switched to DRAGONFORCE due to the plethora of acts brandishing similar titles.

For the band's first rehearsals in October of 1999 DRAGONHEART employed a cast of Z.P. Theart on vocals, guitarists Herman 'Shred' Li and Sam Totman, both members of uprooted New Zealand Black Metal act DEMONIAC, New Zealand born bass player Steve Scott and Matej Setinc of DEMONIAC on the drums. With Setinc's departure Peter Hunt briefly occupied the drum stool and the group also enrolled former DOG DAY SUNRISE keyboard player Steve Williams.

A demo entitled 'Valley Of The Damned' surfaced in June of 2000. These recordings would have the distinction of being produced by Karl Groom of THRESHOLD with Clive Nolan of PENDRAGON repute adding keyboard touches. DRAGONHEART bassist Steve Scott would join competitors SHADOWKEEP during 2000. Diccon Harper, previously a member of PHOENIX filled the vacancy that November. The band, brandishing an all new line-up, Williams having made his exit, supported both HALFORD and STRATOVARIUS in December of 2001. For these shows Vadim came in as the new keyboard player for the HALFORD gigs with just two days notice. Meantime Steve Williams forged the Symphonic Metal act POWER QUEST, pulling in not only former DRAGONHEART bassist Steve Scott but also drawing into the fold Sam Totman, the guitarist maintaining a foot in both camps, and personnel from Italian Metal band ARTHEMIS.

Harper decamped in March of 2002. As the debut DRAGONFORCE album emerged, also titled 'Valley Of The Damned', the line-up comprised vocalist Z.P.Theart, guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman, keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov, stand in bassist Adrian Lambert and drummer Didier Almouzni.