DRAGONLORD, originally billed as DRAGONHEART, was a post millennium high profile union of some of America's most respected Metal performers. The band was assembled in San Francisco as a side endeavour to the players priority acts by TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson. With Peterson unexpectedly taking on the lead vocal role, with commendable results, DRAGONLORD included VICIOUS RUMOURS and TESTAMENT guitarist Steve Smyth, SADUS drummer Jon Allen, keyboard player Lyle Livinston and bassist Steve DiGeorgio of SADUS, DISINCARNATE, ICED EARTH and DEATH. The band bowed in with the 'Rapture' album issued through Spitfire Records.

During March of 2002 DiGeorgio was replaced by TESTAMENT man Derrick Ramirez. Steve Smyth would temporarily hook up with the esteemed Seattle Metal crew NEVERMORE for summer European shows and US 'Vans Warped' dates. DRAGONLORD, following a batch of gigs supporting INCANTATION, would put in showings at major European festivals in August such as Germany's 'Wacken Open Air', Belgium's 'Eurorock' and the Swiss 'Z7 Metal Days' events. In 2003 Steve Smyth united with NEVERMORE to act as touring guitarist for their European dates.

DRAGONLORD reconvened in 2005, crafting a new album, 'Black Wings Of Destiny', at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström. Japanese variants, issued on the King label added two extra tracks in demos of 'Blood Voyeur' and 'Mark Of Damnation'.

DiGeorgio would also be announced as a contributor to recordings for Norwegian act SCARIOT whilst Eric Peterson donated solos to the OLD MAN'S CHILD album 'Vermin'. US tour dates in November for DRAGONLORD saw the addition of former SHIP OF FOOLS, SOLSTICE, CRADLE OF FILTH, EXTREME NOISE TERROR and CHRISTAN DEATH guitarist Gian Pyres (a.k.a. John Piras).

In March 2006 Jon Allen manned the drum kit for live work with TESTAMENT. US dates were announced but then pulled, the official explanation being given that Gian Pyres had developed tendonitis in his left hand. DRAGONLORD announced a two day "Thrash Domination" stint at Tokyo's famed Club Citta on September 16th and 17th ranked alongside DEATH ANGEL, SODOM, VENOM and ONSLAUGHT.