Sweden rocks — especially in the rest of the world
Swedish rock of the harder variety has an incredible range, with world names in a number of subgenres: In Flames (metal), HammerFall (heavy metal), Backyard Babies (hardcore rock), Entombed (death metal), Hellacopters (1970s-influenced punk rock), Candlemass (doom metal), Clawfinger (rap metal), Deathstars (gothic rock), and more.
The fact is that there are over a hundred internationally viable heavier rock bands in Sweden, and the music is starting to achieve the same status it had in the heyday of the 1980s, when Europe, Yngwie Malmsteen and Electric Boys spread their music across the world.
On their home turf, however, Swedish bands are a fairly rare sight. Their status in regions like North and South America, Central Europe and Japan means that many bands spend their time abroad rather than in Sweden. The fans in Sweden tend to be divided equally among children, teens and adults. The annual Sweden Rock Festival is more a family affair than a meeting place for drunken teenagers, and the old controversies associated with the genre have long died down.
by: Johan Paulin
For nearly two decades Hypocrisy has been a force to be reckoned with on the Swedish metal scene. With the band’s 20th anniversary coming up, singer/guitarist Peter Tägtgren sees no end in sight.
by: Johan Paulin
Metalheads are a devoted species. But what are these fans so passionate about? Sweden.se went up north to the Swedish House of Metal festival in Umeå to find out what’s lurking underneath all that hair.