Heavy Load (band)
Heavy Load | |
---|---|
Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
Genres | Heavy metal, Power Metal |
Years active | 1976–1983, 1985, 1987, 2017–present |
Members | Styrbjörn Wahlquist Ragne Wahlquist Torbjörn Ragnesjö Eddy Malm |
Past members | Michael Backler Dan Molén Eero Koivisto Leif Liljegren Andreas Fritz Paul Gray Patrick Karlsson |
Heavy Load is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm. The band is often hailed as the first Swedish heavy metal band,[1] and were known for their Viking themes. The Wahlquist brothers, who founded the band in 1976 along with Michael Backler, were later producers and owners of Thunderload Records in Sweden, were at one point producing Veni Domine, and also were considering releasing a new album, though that never occurred.
Various touring and demo line-ups of the band have included UFO and The Damned bass player Paul Gray, Treat guitarist Leif Liljegren, and renowned architect Eero Koivisto. Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy played on one of the band's released songs.
Misfortune struck when Thunderload Studios got severely damaged due to a water leakage in the 2000s, which meant a halt to its official existence. After the breakup, the members then went on and performed with other bands.
The band reformed in October 2017 and announced a series of shows for 2018,[2] including an appearance at that year's Sweden Rock Festival in June.[3]
Discography[]
Albums[]
- Full Speed at High Level (1978)
- Metal Conquest (EP, 1981)
- Death or Glory (1982)
- Stronger Than Evil (1983) (Phil Lynott playing bass guitar on the track "Free")[4]
Others[]
- "Take Me Away" (single, 1982)
- Live (VHS, 1983)
- "Free" (single, 1983) (Phil Lynott playing bass guitar on the track "Free")[5]
- "Monsters of the Night" (single, 1985)
Band members[]
Current members[]
- Styrbjörn Wahlquist – drums, vocals, percussion (1976–1985, 2017–present)
- Ragne Wahlquist – guitars, vocals, keyboards (1976–1985, 2017–present)
- Eddy Malm – guitar, vocals (1979–1985, 2017–present)
- Torbjörn Ragnesjö – bass guitar (1979–1984, 2017–present)
Former members[]
- Paul Gray - bass guitar (1986-??)[6]
- Patrick Karlsson - guitar (1986 - ??)[6]
- Andreas Fritz – bass guitar (1984-1985)
- Leif Liljegren – guitar (1979)
- Eero Koivisto – bass guitar (1979)
- Dan Molén – bass guitar (1978–1979)
- Michael Backler – bass guitar (1976–1977)
Timeline[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/cpbdeqtvmi7e9bhl1dka9zm0zrwp2jo.png)
References[]
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. Biography of Heavy Load at AllMusic. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
- ^ "Swedish Cult Heavy Metal Band HEAVY LOAD Is Back". Blabbermouth.net. October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ^ "Heavy Load återförenas på Sweden Rock - Blekinge Läns Tidning". Blekinge Läns Tidning (in Swedish). 2017-10-25. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
- ^ "Heavy Load - Stronger than Evil - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". Metal-archives.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Heavy Load - Free / Run with the Devil - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". Metal-archives.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b "HEAVY LOAD OFFICIAL". Heavyload-sweden.com. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
External links[]
- Swedish heavy metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1976
- 1976 establishments in Sweden
- Musical groups disestablished in 1985
- Musical groups reestablished in 2017
- 2017 establishments in Sweden
- Sibling musical groups