Soilwork was first formed in the end of 1995, but under the name Inferior Breed with the following line-up: Peter Wichers - rhythm guitar, Jimmy Persson - drums, Bjorn Strid - vocals, Mattias "Nizze" Nilsson - lead and rhythmguitar and Carl-Gustav Doos - bass.
This sound was mostly technical stuff in the vein of Machine Head and Pantera.
As the time went by we started to get more and more intrested in the melodies. By the fall of 1996, we decided to change the name to Soilwork to fit the new sound we had created. We did a demotape that was entitled "In Dreams we fall into the eternal lake", this demotape consited of 5 songs. One of them was just a philosofical break, but the other four had good potential. The Demotape was passed out to many record companies and we actually hooked up with Mike Amott from ARCH ENEMY. Mike worked at a local recordshop in Helsingborg, and as we one day came in to glance the CD's we thought that it would be a good idea to give him a copy of the tape, so we did! Mike liked the demo very much, so we asked him if he could pass it on to some labels, and he did.
During the break between the demo and the album we maneged to get a new bassplayer by the name Ola Flink. He was tall as hell and most certainly could rock! We got in touch with two labels, which were very interested in us. Things took it's turns and we decided to write with a promising label from France called LISTENABLE Records. Shortly after we wrote the deal, we went into the famous Studio Fredman to record our debut album " Steel Bath Suicide ".
02 Scar Symmetry
Just when you think a genre has exhausted its possibilities, when a certain style of metal has hit the wall of mediocrity, along comes a band to jolt life back into it. Hailing from Sweden - a mecca for melodic death metal - and on a quest to pioneer their own form of that well-established genre, SCAR SYMMETRY proved to be an exceptional gathering of talents able to produce an eccentric mixture of metal that can only be described as an intoxicating, modern hybrid of melodic death metal. Encapsulating everything each band member loves about metal - harmony, melody, brutality, exceptional songwriting, complex instrumentation - this union of Yin/Yang elements lent itself to SCAR SYMMETRY's blueprint of amalgamation in their quest to make unbridled music devoid of borders.
The band's name - thought into existence by drummer Ohlsson - denotes a peculiar balance. A combination of a "hard" word (scar), and a "soft" word (symmetry), it symbolizes the emotional scars everyone harvests from living a human life and the symmetry we share with each other as a result. For Jonas Kjellgren (Carnal Forge, Centinex, World Below), Henrik Ohlsson (Altered Aeon, Theory In Practice, Mutant), Per Nilsson (Altered Aeon), Christian Älvestam (Unmoored, Incapacity, Torchbearer), and Kenneth Seil, the symmetry existed in spades. There was an instant "click" between these musicians hailing from different regions of Sweden, and difficult as it is to believe, the band sent the Stockholm-based Cold Records their one-track (!) demo, "Seeds Of Rebellion," and landed a deal in mid-2004.
For their debut album, SCAR SYMMETRY entered Kjellgren's own Black Lounge Studio to record and self-produce Symmetric In Design in three months. Featuring artwork by Pär Johansson, the lyrics tackled mystical & cosmic themes such as astral projection, reincarnation, and dark prophecies of a dystopian future. Showcasing ambient vocal harmonies, striking & intricate transitions, and a deeply rooted spirit of experimentation in all twelve tracks, SCAR SYMMETRY created one of 2005's buried treasures, as Symmetric In Design went on to place in multiple end-of-the-year lists among the metal press under various categories: "Best Debut Album," "Best of 2005," and "Bands You Should Know." Vocalist Christian Älvestam demonstrated all the signs of multiple personality disorder with his Mikael Åkerfeldt-styled guttural death growls, his higher, sadistic register similar to Hypocrisy's Peter Tägtgren, and ultimately unleashing an emotionally clean voice bordering on the likes of AOR-styled rock. "A standout first effort," hailed AllMusic.com, while Outburn Magazine praised: "Complete with amazing guitar work, dark symphonic synthetic ambience, and bone-crushing thrash-heavy grooves, SCAR SYMMETRY reaches into little-charted territory to capture the imagination."
With less than eight months between releases, SCAR SYMMETRY's ambition seeks to flex its muscular and melodic aggression once again with Pitch Black Progress. Featuring the same stellar cast from their debut album, this sophomore effort proves they have created a dominion of inherent diversity where THEY control the extremes. Re-entering Black Lounge Studio (owned and run by Kjellgren, who comes from a family lineage of professional musicians) with their no-holds-barred approach to music making, SCAR SYMMETRY dive deep into their collective subconscious and resurface to unveil another sonic tapestry of astoundingly versatile textures. With the aim to resurrect the awe in their listeners, "The Illusionist," "Slaves To The Subliminal," "The Kaleidoscopic God," "Calculate The Apocalypse," and "Retaliator" all exemplify Älvestam's extreme range (which takes you between fearsome death growls & blissfully clean vocals and back again), Kjellgren & Nilsson's tricky fretwork & heroic, prog-infused guitar solos, Seil's precise bass lines, and Ohlsson's exacting drum work. Every track converges into a pinnacle of raw talent that flourishes with its expression.
03 Arch Enemy
Who is a rebel but someone inclined to resist authority? What is rebellion but open defiance of that authority?
With a band name meaning chief attacker, principle opponent, and eminent hostile foe, ARCH ENEMY's blatant philosophy of insurgence is exactly what propels them out of the masses of convention and into the frontline of a movement that dares to defy imposed limitations on musical creativity.
Throughout his career, former Carcass guitarist and ARCH ENEMY founding member Michael Amott has never been concerned with conformity. In 1996, his pursuit to merge melody with aggression and technicality led him to collaborate with brother Christopher Amott, drummer Daniel Erlandsson, and vocalist Johan Liiva. Without even circulating a demo, they teamed up with the celebrated producer Fredrik Nordström and delivered ARCH ENEMY's debut, Black Earth - an album that is still hailed as a milestone in Swedish death metal. Michael Amott and Fredrik Nordström co-produced 1998's Stigmata, which pushed the band to new heights with its technical execution. Welcoming Mercyful Fate bassist Sharlee D'Angelo into the ranks for 1999's Amott/Nordström-produced Burning Bridges, ARCH ENEMY's now undeniable musical pedigree delivered an intricate and devastating album. Despite a North American tour with Nevermore, European tours with In Flames, Children Of Bodom, and Dark Tranquillity, three Japanese tours, performances at The Dynamo Festival, a co-headlining appearance in Santiago, Chile with Hammerfall, and sharing a bill with Cradle Of Filth in London, Michael Amott felt there was still more territory to cover, as all high-achievers are wont to believe.
In a completely unexpected turn of events, Angela Gossow - a completely unknown vocalist from Germany - replaced Johan Liiva in 2001 and delivered a staggering debut performance on the Wages Of Sin album (produced by Fredrik Nordström and mixed by Andy Sneap), marking the first time a band of this caliber and ferocity was fronted by a woman. The reception given to Gossow by the sold-out crowd at her worldwide debut in Los Angeles in March 2002 was nothing short of overwhelming. The album was bathed in unending universal praise from daily newspapers, front cover press in worldwide national magazines with Wages Of Sin proudly claiming stake in end-of-the-year "Best Of..." lists, while the metal underground showcased a faithful display of allegiance to the new line-up. Metal Maniacs hailed the album as a "relentless, eclectic and wholly charged album to keep even those with the shortest musical attention spans entertained." Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles insisted the album "requires a double-take, as Angela's gurgling undertow sticks needles in your eardrums while your eyes can't believe where it's coming from." Metal Edge declared Angela Gossow to be "one of the most promising talents in years." North America's Alternative Press quickly identified ARCH ENEMY as one of the five bands who exemplify "the sound of things to come" in 2002. This claim would soon prove itself prophetic during the band's performances at Japan's Beast Feast, the Milwaukee Metalfest, the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, a North American tour supporting Nile, their own headlining North American tour, and six sold-out dates in Japan.
Fueled by their success and teaming up with producer English producer extraordinaire Andy Sneap for Anthems Of Rebellion, ARCH ENEMY unveils yet another stratum of their impressive musical depth, the obvious being Gossow's talents of enunciation, which truly rank with the accomplishments of Death's Chuck Schuldiner and Carcass's Jeff Walker. Filled with the trademarked tandem guitar work of the Amott Brothers and the flawless D'Angelo/Erlandsson rhythm section that has earned the band staunch recognition, "Tear Down The Walls/Silent Wars" is the articulation of awakening, a mandate for change; "We Will Rise" is a call to consciousness, a declaration of war against everything mediocre force-fed to us by society; "Leader Of The Rats" is a reminder of the much-needed cynicism that can keep everyday life in perspective; and finally, "Despicable Heroes" is a scathing critique of the hypocrisy of those appointed to leadership who abuse the loyalty of their followers.
04 Dark Tranquillity
Back in the early '90s Sweden's DARK TRANQUILLITY were laying the foundations for a style of metal that they could call their own. Having identified the limitations within the strict and rigid framework of the downtrodden death metal genre, DARK TRANQUILLITY began experimenting with and incorporating advanced melodic patterns and non-linear song structures into their intense, aggressive and accomplished music. Last year's Projector showcased DARK TRANQUILLITY's ability to expand their musical borders and constantly challenge their listeners: That diverse and introspective album brought home euphoric reviews and even got the band nominated in the Hard Rock category in the Swedish Grammy awards. 2000 brings yet another new opus from DT, perhaps even more ripened than its predecessor, the monstrous and challenging Haven.
Formed in 1989, DARK TRANQUILLITY have had a huge influence on the European underground scene, pioneering the now-archetypal style that journalists and fans have dubbed the "Gothenburg sound" (alluding to their native town in Sweden of course). This term is characterized with dueling guitar harmonies and complex song structures combined with an intense aural assault rooted in the '80s thrash tradition, although with a more melodic approach. Within the first several years DT released three full-length recordings and two EPs (the first two on Spinefarm and the next three on Osmose) and became one of the most heralded and talked-about bands in the entire Scandinavian metal movement. Their third full-length The Mind's I and its preceding EP Enter Suicidal Angels displayed the expected DARK TRANQUILLITY trademarks and characteristics, however the songs began to get shorter and more compressed, focusing on energy and vitality while still retaining the accurate sense of melody that have graced the band's past material. In early 1999 the band signed a deal with Century Media Records, who released the band's 1999 album Projector to the entire world. Projector was the band's most dynamic work to date, seething with technical power while representing more progression for the group in terms of creative maturity and approach. Mikael Stanne's voice was more effective and identifying than ever, while the playing of guitarists Niklas Sundin (who actually writes lyrics for fellow Swedes In Flames) and Fredrik Johansson amazed even the most selective of metal fan. The core elements of DARK TRANQUILLITY (who are rounded out with bassist Martin Henriksson and drummer Anders Jivarp) were very present, while newer influences and approaches were also integrated, resulting in an album that was as modern as it was impacting, and as aspiring as it was identifiable. Their European tour with In Flames, Children Of Bodom and label mates Arch Enemy did not only fulfill the dreams of every true Gothenburg-sound disciple, but turned out to be a triumphant advance for lovers of intelligent, extreme music that dares to embrace melody. Soon it was followed by two successful shows in the land of the rising sun with Soilwork, filling the overflow of Japanese crowds with rabid enthusiasm.
05 Nightrage
NIGHTRAGE was originally formed in Greece/Thessaloniki back in the year 2000 by Marios Iliopoulos (formerly of EXHUMATION) who released three high-quality death metal albums, all produced in Sweden). And his blood brother Gus G.
Now NIGHTRAGE is back after 2 excellent releases at Century Media Records. "Sweet vengeance" became fast one of the most spoken of and interesting melodic death metal releases of the year (2003) and the follow up "Descent into chaos"; (2005) got great reviews worldwide. From the very beginning this band has always stood for high quality melodic metal packaged in a perfect production. NIGHTRAGE have collaborated with highly skillful musicians like Tomas Lindberg (ex AT THE GATES, THE GREAT DECEIVER), Gus G (ex DREAM EVIL, FIREWIND), Per Möller Jensen (THE HAUNTED) and now the band have signed a new worldwide deal with Lifeforce Records.
The band did many shows so far including an opening slot for ARCH ENEMY, THE HAUNTED, and DARK TRANQUILLITY show at Forum/London, a USA tour (first ever US tour for NR) with bands like MANNTIS, GOD DETHRONED, Lifeforce Records label mates HELL WITHIN and THINE EYES BLEED, also a really successful sold-out European tour with BOLT THROWER, MALEVOLENT CREATION and NECROPHAGIST, and some festival appearances at Inferno festival/ Oslo and Lorca rock/ Murcia Spain, festival along with headline shows at Underworld/ London and Portugal/ Lisabon.
The remaining force of the band: Band-leader/song-writer/guitarist Marios Iliopoulos, bass-player/song-writer Henric Carlsson (ex CIPHER SYSTEM) along with new extreme vocalist/song-writer Jimmie Strimell, who is being described as the one of the best vocalists of his genre, are now working together with the new material for the third album. The results are amazing and some song-titles like:" A Condemned club" and "Reconcile" shows the progression that the band achieved and the new songs feel like having the edge of world class material.
06 Miseration
There's no big secret about the musical focus of Miseration: This Swedish quintet is death metal to the core! Miseration is the latest effort from Scar Symmetry Vocalist Christian Älvestam and Jani Stefanovic (Essence of Sorrow), who together perform a fast, brutal and aggressive melodic style of metal, what their homeland Sweden is best known for. Lifeforce Records is proud to give the band's critically acclaimed debut album "Your Demons, Their Angels" a worldwide release and help spread their metallic plague throughout the world.
07 Meshuggah
Meshuggah was formed in 1987 in Umea, Sweden. Guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, bassist Peter Nordin and vocalist Jens Kidman all played on the debut-EP of 1989. At that time Jens Kidman played the guitar as well. Umea has a healthy scene, and a lot of people are involved in rock music. According to Jens Kidman there are a lot of good bands from Umea, "probably because there is not a lot to do". The fact that there is a university in Umea might also strengthen the rock-scene. A lot of people play in bands, but few of these are known outside the town. The majority of the musicians wanting to get anywhere with their music leave town. Many of the session-musicians in Stockholm are from Umea, according to Marten Hagstrom.
It is quite easy to hear some of Meshuggahs early influences on their first release, "Psykisk Testbild" from 1989. (The title translates to something like "Psychological Test-Picture".) Metallica definitely was a major influence. The music of this EP is simplier and more "straight-forward" than their more recent material, but some of their more progressive elements are present in the form of time-changes and polyrythmics, and Fredrik Thordendals lead-playing stands out.
Tomas Haake joined on drums before Meshuggah recorded their first LP,"Contradictions collapse", which was released in 1991. The band had signed a recording deal with the German record-label Nuclar Blast, which specializes in metal-releases. The songs on this record are much longer and ymore complicated, in both structure and rythmics. The record company did nothing to promote the album, which consequently sold badly. Between this record and the next one guitarist/vocalist Jens Kidman decided to concentrate on the singing and left the guitar duties over to Marten Hagstrom, who had played in a band with drummer Tomas Haake already when they were in sixth grade (!). Marten Hagstrom feels that the song-title 'Building a big building' from that time accurately characterizes that band ...
The new line-up recorded the EP "None" in 1994. It was not until now that the record label realized that the band has a certain sales-potential, but a couple of accidents forced the band to remain silent for the rest of that year. Fredrik Thordendal managed to cut off the tip of his left middle- finger (He is a carpenter).The finger tip is sewn back on, and he is able, to a certain degree, to play with it again. As if this wasn't enough, Tomas Haake shortly after mangled his hand in some sort of grinding machine. Several months passed without much practice. the EP "Selfcaged" was recorded in April and May 1994, but the release was delayed with one year due to the accidents.
January 1995 saw the band returning to the public, when they left off for a short European tour organized by the record-label. Short after returning back home they recorded the album "Destroy, Erase,Improve", and then they were off again on a two month European tour supporting the american band Machine Head. Halfway through this tour bassist Peter Nordin became ill, and got problems with the balance nerve in his inner ear - he was chronically dizzy, consantly feeling like he was falling! He had to go back home to Sweden, leaving the band on tour without a bassist. The bassist of Machine Head offered to help out, but Meshuggah decided to try out as a 4-piece again. On some shows Fredrik played the bass through his guitar rig, on others they went with just 2 guitars - with Marten playing through a pitch shifter - shifted one octave down. When Fredrik handled the bass he even played his leads on it - taking care of tapping etc. ! "Destroy,Erase,Improve" was released in May 1995, this time with a more proper marketing by the record label. In the autumn of 1995 they did a short tour with Clawfinger, through Scandinavia and Germany. The first couple of shows were done without a bassist - Peter Nordin having now left the band. A replacement bassist joined the band for the show in Hamburg, this was Gustaf Hielm (formerly of Charta 77). During that fall Meshuggah also went on a month tour with Hypocrisy.
08 Sonic Syndicate
It all started in 2002, when Roger, Richard, and thirteen-year-old Robin wanted to start a band together after taking a break from playing in various other bands. They previously had a band together with a few classmates, but wanted to start a new project and take the music in a different direction. This new project became known as Fallen Angels, and played heavy metal influenced by Iron Maiden and Helloween. Fallen Angels completed their first gig at a school talent show in March 2003. They made it to the final but sadly didn't win the competition. Still, the band was satisfied enough with the great response from the crowd and everyone else involved in the competition. Shortly after, the band had made themselves a name in their hometown of Falkenberg, on the west coast Sweden.
In under a year, Fallen Angels recorded three demos. The 2nd and 3rd demo the band decided to record at Studio Mega (The Crown, Beseech, Lake of Tears) and shortly after started to play shows throughout Scandinavia. In December of 2004, Fallen Angels signed with Pivotal Records in the USA to release their debut album "Eden Fire". With their debut album on the way the band felt they had to decide on their final name. They had been searching for a band name for quite a while and thought Sonic Syndicate sounded more like them! The name was much more unique and is also a statement to enhance their musical direction. With time booked in Studio Mega in the spring of 2005 and the release date set for September 13, the band was rolling! With their sound of Swedish melodic metal and American hardcore Eden Fire has started to prove that Sonic Syndicate is a band that will break everything in its path. Eden Fire has been compared worldwide to acts such as In Flames, Children of Bodom and Killswitch Engage and the list goes on.
09 Kid Down
Kid Down är ett svenskt rockband. Bandet bildades 2002 i Åmål, Sverige och har gjort flera turnér bland annat med amerikanska Fall Out Boy och svenska the Sounds i Tyskland. Deras debutalbum And the Noble Art of Irony gavs ut Europa och Japan i mars 2007 av Burning Heart Records/Epitaph och 2008 släpptes I Want My Girlfriend Rich, även denna i Europa och Japan som följdes upp av ytterligare en europaturné under 2009 tillsammans med Underoath, Taking Back Sunday och Thursday och bandet drog till sig en ny stor skara fans ute i Europa.
10 Chemical Vocation
Chemical Vocation is a pop punk band, inspired by post-hardcore. The band members are from all over the west coast of Sweden. They met in highschool in Uddevalla and in 2005 they signed to an indie label called The Emo Foundation. In the Summer of 2005 their self-titled debut EP was released, leading with the catchy and memorable track ‘Unspection’.
Their full length album called ‘A Misfit In Progress’ was released on September 24th 2008 through the the indie label Panic & Action.
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