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Vadim Pruzhanov
Vadim performing live in Sydney, Australia on the 9th of May, 2007
Background information
Birth name	Vadim Pruzhanov
Born	June 18, 1983 (1983-06-18) (age 24)
Origin	, , Ukraine, England
Genre(s)	Power Metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, Songwriter
Instrument(s)	Keyboards Piano Vocals Guitar
Years active	2001-present
Label(s)	Sanctuary, Noise, Roadrunner Records
Associated acts	DragonForce
Website	dragonforce.com

Vadim Pruzhanov (Ukrainian: Вадім Пружанов) (born June 18, 1983 in Ukraine) is the keyboardist of UK power metal band, DragonForce.

Pruzhanov is well known amongst the DragonForce fan community for his frantic headbanging and extremely fast, techno/video game inspired keyboard solos, and has been known to play the keyboard with his forehead and tongue. Often, he will entertain the crowd at a DragonForce concert with a high-speed keyboard performance, often incorporating melodic elements from popular TV tunes such as The Simpsons or Countdown. During these he will play his Roland keytar (as seen on the "Operation Ground and Pound" video), and he is often accompanied by Herman Li or another member of the band as the intermission progresses.

During the guitar-driven DragonForce songs, Pruzhanov often only plays string or synth-string backing, but occasionally solos alongside the guitars - for example, in Soldiers of the Wasteland.

He was born in Ukraine and later moved to London, England. He first started playing piano at the age of 8. Vadim then studied at a music school until he eventually got bored and quit three years later, and carried on as a self-taught player instead. It was at that time that Vadim discovered rock music and decided to pursue it as a career. He got a Yamaha PSS-51 keyboard and started to create his own music at the age of 12 and has carried on since. Apart from playing the keyboard, Vadim is also a capable guitar player, and owns an Ibanez guitar. He takes influence from artists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Strapping Young Lad, Steve Vai, Pantera, Judas Priest, Symphony X, and Dream Theater.

Vadim often stands behind a deck consisting of a Korg Triton Extreme and Korg X50 (previously a Korg N264). He has recently switched to playing a customized Roland AX-7 keytar for increased maneuverability on stage, letting him match the lively performance given by Sam Totman, Herman Li and Frédéric Leclercq.

• Vadim Pruzhanov on MySpace
• Official DragonForce homepage
• One of Vadim's trademark solos
• PyroMusic.net interview with Vadim

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