Current line-up

Joacim Cans - Vocals (1996-) (ex-Warlord (US), ex-Lost Horizon (Swe), Mrs. Hippie)
Oscar Dronjak - Guitars (1993-) (ex-Desecrator (Swe), ex-Ceremonial Oath, Crystal Age)
Pontus Norgren - Guitars (2008-) (ex-The Poodles, Damage Done, Talisman, Great King Rat, Jekyll & Hyde, The Ring)
Fredrik Larsson - Bass (1994-97, 2007-) (ex-Crystal Age, ex-Evergrey, None, Cans, Death Destruction)
Anders Johansson - Drums (1999-) (Art Metal, ex-Silver Mountain, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Empire (Ger), ex-Winterlong, Jens Johansson, The Johansson Brothers, ex-Keegan , Planet Alliance)


Additional notes

Together with the fans, HammerFall had proved that heavy metal music was still alive and well in the nineties. Now, it's time to turn our eyes towards the next millennium. What lies ahead? What territories are there to explore, what worlds are there to conquer? Who knows what tomorrow will bring? HammerFall do know, however, that none of this and nothing that happens in the future is possible without you, the true heavy metal fan! You are deeply thanked and invited to once again join in letting the world know that A METAL HEART IS HARD TO TEAR APART! The victory march for heavy metal has only begun!

Formed by Oscar Dronjak and Jesper Strömblad with the help of Niklas Sundin and Mikael Stanne, who are both members of Dark Tranquillity.

Magnus Rosén has released a few solo albums that are comprised mostly of bass playing.


Birth dates:

Joacim Cans (February 1970, Mora, Sweden)
Oscar Fredrick Dronjak (20th January 1972, M�lndal, Sweden)
Stefan Elmgren (1974, Sweden)
Anders Johansson (25th May 1962, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Jesper Stromblad (28th November 1972, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Magnus Rosen (1963, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Mikael Stanne (28th May 1974, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Niklas Sundin (13th August 1974, Gothenburg, Sweden)

Current line-up

Petri 'Pete' Lindroos - Harsh Vocals & Guitar (2004-) (Norther)
Markus Toivonen - Guitar, Clean & Backing Vocals (1995-) (Soulstream, Speden Timantit)
Sami Hinkka - Bass, Clean & Backing Vocals (2004-) (Rapture)
Janne Parviainen - Drums (2005-) (Barathrum, Sinergy, Waltari, Zwanziger, Valvet)
Emmi Silvennoinen - Live Keyboards (Exsecratus)


Additional notes

Ensiferum means "Sword Bearer." Ensis is a third declension noun meaning Sword, and Ferum is from an irregular verb meaning "to carry" (like "ferry"). Markus Toivonen found the word in a Latin dictionary when the band were starting out and decided it was an ideal name.

Ensiferum were found as a three-piece by Markus Toivonen, Sauli Savolainen and Kimmo Miettinen. They began mostly as a cover band before persuading Jari Mäenpää to join as vocalist and second guitarist a year later.

Frontman Jari Mäenpää quit in 2004 after creating his own project, Wintersun. Studio time for Wintersun recordings clashed with an Ensiferum tour, so Jari quit. Petri Lindroos of Norther was brought in, inititally to cover for live dates, and eventually agreed to join permanently. Markus Toivonen is now the only founding member left in the band.

Markus Toivonen never played in Scent of Flesh - there are two different persons with the same name.

Current line-up

Mikael Stanne - Vocals (Rhythm Guitar (1991-1994) (In Flames, Hammerfall)
Niklas Sundin - Guitar (Laethora, Hammerfall)
Martin Henriksson - Guitar (Bass 1991-1998)
Martin Brändström - Keyboards & Programming
Michael Nicklasson - Bass (Reborn (Swe), Luciferion, Sarcazm)
Anders Jivarp - Drums


Additional Discography

Originally called Septic Broiler from 1989-1991.

One of the pioneers of the melodic-death metal sound. Band statement: "Dark Tranquillity is the longest standing band from the famed Gothenburg metal scene".

Guitarist Niklas Sundin is also known for his graphic design album artwork.

They have kept a mostly consistent line-up. Rhythm guitarist Mikael Stanne switched to vocals after Anders Fridén's departure. When his replacement Fredrik Johansson left in 1998 bassist Martin Henriksson took up guitar duties and Michael Nicklasson came in on bass. They also added "electronics" man Martin Brändström at this time.

Dark Tranquillity appears on:
The Four Horsemen - A Tribute to Metallica, playing the song "My Friend of Misery"
A Tribute to the Beast, playing the song "22 Acacia Avenue"


Birth dates

Anders Fridén (25th March 1973, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Mikael Stanne (28th May 1974, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Niklas Sundin (13th August 1974, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Martin Henriksson (30th October 1974, Sweden)

Current line-up

Angela Nathalie Gossow - Vocals (2000-) (Mistress (Ger), -Asmodina (Ger))
Michael Amott - Guitar (1995-) (Spiritual Beggars, Carcass, Carnage (Swe), Candlemass, Armageddon (Swe))
Christopher Amott - Guitars (1995-2005, 2007-) (Armageddon (Swe), Mortiis)
Sharlee D'Angelo (Charles Peter Andreason) - Bass (1998-) (Witchery (Swe), Mercyful Fate, Sinergy, Illwill, Dismember, Facelift, Spiritual Beggars)
Daniel Erlandsson - Drums (1995-) (Eucharist, In Flames, The End (Swe), Revengia, Armageddon (Swe), Liers in Wait, Carcass)


Additional Discography

A band started by the Amott brothers after Michael Amott left the band Carcass. Johan Liiva was sacked as the vocalist with the cited reasons being a failure to perform adequately live.

Angela is originally from Germany. Michael and Christopher Amott are part-British.

Christopher Amott left the band on good terms after finishing "Doomsday Machine" to return to college. After Gus G. filled in on their Ozzfest tour dates, Fredrik Åkesson stepped in to take on full time guitar duties, but ended up never featuring on a recording session as Christopher rejoined in March 2007.

It is a common misconcpetion that Johan Liiva played bass on "Black Earth" - it was in fact played by Michael Amott, who gave the credit to Liiva to make the album seem more like a band effort than a side project (which is what Arch Enemy essentially was at the time).


Birth dates

Angela Nathalie Gossow (5th November 1974, Cologne, Germany)
Michael Amott (28th July 1970, England)
Christopher Amott (23rd November 1977, Halmstad, Sweden)
Daniel John Erlandsson (22th May 1976, Sweden)
Johan 'Liiva' Axelsson (18th November 1970, Helsingborg, Sweden)

Current line-up

Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho - Vocals, Guitar (1997-) (Impaled Nazarene, Kylähullut, Sinergy, Thy Serpent, Warmen, Godsplague)
Roope Latvala - Guitar (2003-) (Dementia (Fin), Latvala Bros, Nomicon, Sinergy, Stone, Walhalla (Fin), Waltari, Soulgrind (Fin), Warmen, Shaman (Fin))
Janne "Warman" Wirman - Keyboards (1997-) (Kotipelto, Masterplan, Warmen, Ari Koivunen)
Henkka T. "Blacksmith" Sepp�l� - Bass (1997-) (Aivokasvain)
Jaska W. Raatikainen - Drums (1997-) (Evemaster, Gashouse Garden, Virtuocity)


Additional Discography:

The group started out in 1993 and released all of their demos as Inearthed. The band faked a split-up and changed their name to Children of Bodom just before the release of "Something Wild" to escape from their rip-off record label deal in order to sign for Spinefarm.

Children of Bodom acquired their name from a legendary murder that took place in Finland at Lake Bodom. When four teens went camping at Lake Bodom in 1960, three of them were stabbed to death in the middle of the night, and the man who survived, Nils Gustafsson, went insane and was committed to an asylum. He said he saw the Grim Reaper. In 2004 the Finnish Police arrested Nils Gustafsson, who was assumed to be the killer. However, there wasn't enough proof against him, so he was acquitted, and the case remains still unsolved. The Grim Reaper is Children of Bodom's mascot and has appeared on all of their album covers to date.

Alexander Kuoppala left the band in 2003 in an attempt to be free of the lifestyle he was living, saying by having no fun he was 'robbing the band of potential'. He was replaced by one of Alexi's idols (Roope Latvala of the legendary thrash group Stone), and the tours continue today.


Trivia:

The Grim Reaper mascot Children of Bodom featured on the album covers is jokingly named Roy.

After the release of Something Wild, Alexi Laiho attempted to commit suicide with sleeping pills. He spent a week in coma before being revived.

Erna Siikavirta filled in on tour in 1998 because Janne Warman had not yet finished his schooling.

Opposed to a popular belief, the band's style is not death metal or black metal at all - it's more power metal influenced music but people always debate the genre of Bodom.

Despite what you may hear, Children of Bodom have never covered either Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" or Europe's "The Final Countdown." The former was done most famously by Sentenced and the latter by both Dispatched and Norther.


Birth dates:

Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho (8th April 1979, Espoo, Finland)
Alexander Kuoppala (11th April 1974, Espoo, Finland)
Roope Latvala (25th June 1970, Helsinki, Finland)
Janne Viljami Wirman (26th April 1979, Espoo, Finland)
Henri Samuli Sepp�l� (2nd July 1980), Espoo, Finland)
Jaska Ilmari Raatikainen (18th July 1979, Espoo, Finland)

Current line-up

Jeff Walker - Vocals/Bass (1986-1995, 2008-) (Electro Hippies, ex-Blackstar, Brujeria, Jeff Walker und Die Fluffers)
Bill Steer - Guitars/Vocals (1985-1995, 2008-) (ex-Napalm Death, Firebird)
Michael Amott - Guitars (1990-1993, 2008-) (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars, ex-Carnage (Swe), ex-Candlemass, ex-Armageddon (Swe))
Daniel Erlandsson - Drums (2008-) (Arch Enemy, Eucharist, ex-In Flames, ex-The End (Swe), Revengia, Armageddon (Swe), ex-Liers in Wait)


Additional Discography:

"A Bomb Drops..." demo (1986, under the moniker Disattack)
"Heartwork" demo (1993, released before the ep)

According to an Interview, Carcass will be reuniting to play at Wacken Open Air Fest in 2008, minus Ken Owen of course whose health problems inhibit him from performing.

Carcass is considered the major inspiration and musical foundation for most gore metal and deathgrind/goregrind bands as well as being one of the founding fathers of melodic death metal.

The band was first known as Disattack, playing hardcore / punk back in 1985. After releasing their first demo in '86, their bass player left the band and Jeff Walker joined them after leaving Electro Hippies. By that time, they were also changing their name to Carcass, whose logo was drawn by Jeff Walker. Soon their drummer was replaced by Ken Owen and the singer by Sanjiv. Bill Steer also left Napalm Death in order to concentrate on Carcass.

Carcass started as a goregrind band, then moved to a death metal sound which evolved into their melodic death and heavy metal roots before their split. Their Heartwork album, released in 1993, is one of the first melodic death metal albums ever released.

Bill Steer moved into the stoner rock band Firebird (not to be confused with the 1978 NWOBHM band Firebird), Mike (and his brother) moved into the ranks of Arch Enemy. Jeff, Ken & Carlo formed the shortlived Blackstar after the demise of Carcass.

At the age of 28, Ken Owen had a brain hemorrhage, and was in a coma for almost a year. He was confined to a wheelchair for a time, but has since recovered and is playing drums again.

A UK edition of Bjork's "Isobel" single has a version of the song remixed by Carcass.

Current line-up

Shagrath (Stian Tomt Thoresen): Vocals (1993-) (also guitars 1993-1997 & drums 1993-1995) (Starkness, Fimbulwinter, Ragnarok (Nor), Chrome Division, Guest Kamelot)
Erkekjetter Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud): Guitars (also vocals) (1993-) (Nocturnal Breed, Malefic (Nor))
Galder (Thomas Rune Andersen): Guitars (2001-) (Old Man's Child, Requiem (Nor), Dødheimsgard)
ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs): Bass/Clean Vocals (2000-) (Arcturus (Nor), Borknagar, Lamented Souls, Code)
Mustis (Øyvind Johan Mustaparta): Keyboards (1998-) (ex-Susperia, Vidder)
Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg): Session Drums (2005-) (ex-Antestor, Arcturus (Nor), ex-Carnivora, Covenant (Nor), ex-Jørn, Mezzerschmitt, ex-Mortem (Nor), ex-Shining (Swe), ex-The Kovenant, Thorns, Troll (Nor), ex-Vidsyn, Winds (Nor), ex-Tritonus, Age of Silence, Umoral, Gorgoroth, ex-Den Saakaldte, Mayhem (Nor))


Additional notes

Dimmuborgir (note: not Dimmu Borgir, as the band's name) is a place in northern Iceland, where local legends say it is an entrance or gate to hell.
"Dimmu" means dark, and "borgir" can mean city/ town, castle, rocky hill or shelter.

In 1994, advance tracks for a MLP called "Tusen Vinters..." were recorded but never released.

Tony Laureano (Nile) has performed as a live drummer for Dimmu Borgir twice - the second time filling in for Hellhammer who was recovering from a broken wrist.


Birth dates:

Stian Tomt Thoresen (18th November 1976, Jessheim, Norway)
Sven Atle Kopperud (1976, Norway)
Thomas Rune Andersen (1976, Norway)
Simen Hestnæs (4th March 1974, Oslo, Norway)
Øyvind Johan Mustaparta (10th September 1979, Bærum, Norway)
Jan Axel Blomberg (2nd August 1969, Trysil, Norway)
Stian Arnesen (7th May 1978, Norway)

Current line-up

Dave Mustaine - Guitar & Vocals (1983-) (ex-Metallica, MD.45, ex-Panic)
Chris Broderick - Guitar (2008-) (ex-Ballistic, Nevermore, ex-Jag Panzer)
James Lomenzo - Bass (2006-) (White Lion, Zakk Wylde, ex-Black Label Society, Pride & Glory, ex-Rondinelli)
Shawn Drover - Drums (2004-) (Eidolon)


Additional Notes

Megadeth was formed in late 1983 when Dave Mustaine (formerly of Metallica) threw a potted plant through the window of David Ellefson's apartment because Ellefson was practicing his bass too loud. When the band was formed Dijion Carruthers was their drummer and Greg Handevidt on guitars. They quickly replaced Carruthers with drummer Lee Rausch, recorded a demo and secured a few gigs in the San Francisco Bay area in February, 1984. Handevidt was fired for incompetence (he later formed Kublai Khan) They quickly found second guitarist Kerry King (Slayer (US)), who played Megadeth's first three gigs: February 15th, 18th, and 19th, of 1984.

The band name was selected from a term referring to a million casualties, as a result of Nuclear Fallout. Some senator used the term. The extra ``a`` was dropped by the band. The name Fallen Angel was considered, as it was the name of a short-lived Dave Mustaine/Matt Kisselstein (bass) project in 1983.

King left later that month when Mustaine wanted him to choose between Megadeth and Slayer (US). Then, Chris Poland was brought in, and more gigs were played, starting on April 15th, 1984. A demo was recorded with this lineup, and then Lee Rausch left (he would later that year show up in Dark Angel (US)), and was replaced by Gar Samuelson. This lineup recorded the first two albums.

There were troubles with Chris Poland. He was replaced with Mike Albert for part of the 1985 tour, and was finally fired in 1987, for stealing Mustaine's guitars and other transgressions (read the lyrics to ``Liar`` for a somewhat biased but not entirely untrue account), and Gar Samuelson left as well (his parting wasn't entirely amicable either). Chuck Behler came in immediately, and several guitarists were tried out, including Jay Reynolds of Malice (US), who played a few gigs on the 1987 tour, before giving way to Jeff Young. This lineup recorded So Far, So Good... So What, but after a subsequent tour, both Young and Behler were fired.

Nick Menza, Chuck's drum tech, went behind the kit himself in 1989, and the band recorded, as a trio, ``No More Mister Nice Guy``, an Alice Cooper cover for the Shocker soundtrack. After tryouts that included Darrell Roberts (W.A.S.P.) and a 16 year old Jeff Loomis (Nevermore (US)), Marty Friedman of Cacophony was hired in February of 1990, and this lineup lasted for about 8 years and produced four albums and most of the songs on an EP, before Nick Menza left due to a knee injury.

Jimmy DeGrasso (of Y&T and White Lion) was brought in, and Risk was recorded. Then, Marty Friedman left, citing a desire to play Japanese pop music, while Mustaine wanted to return to heavy metal. Thus, Al Pitrelli of Savatage, as well as Trans-Siberian Orchestra and C.P.R. joined the band. A new album, The World Needs A Hero, was recorded and a tour with Iced Earth launched afterwards.

Dave Mustaine, citing an arm injury that left him unable to play guitar effectively, left Megadeth in April 2002, and the band was dissolved. It is rumoured that Ellefson, Menza and Friedman are cooperating on a project together, and of course rumours of a Megadeth reformation are constant, as Dave Mustaine is just a little unpredictable.

And, as it turns out, he was. On January 13, 2004, Dave Mustaine, following his alleged ``religious awakening,`` announced his plans to re-form Megadeth with former guitarist Chris Poland. Unfortunately, Dave Ellefson, Al Pitrelli and Jimmy DeGrasso did not want to rejoin and went back to working on their other projects, and forming their own band, which is now auditioning vocalists. Dave Ellefson has also joined Soulfly.

In August of 2004, the new album, The System Has Failed, was completed with the help of session drummer and bassist Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Sloas. Former guitarist Chris Poland was also brought back to record lead parts.

New guitarist Glen Drover and bassist James MacDonough were recruited for the tour, which would begin in September. Nick Menza briefly returned, but was dismissed after being deemed unfit to perform such a lengthy tour. Glen Drover's brother and Eidolon bandmate Shawn was brought in. This was confirmed as the permanent line-up by Dave Mustaine in 2005. Typically, though, this was not to last and MacDonough left at the beginning of 2006.

It was confirmed in mid-January 2008 - after considerable rumour - that Glen Drover had left Megadeth due to their heavy touring schedule conflicting with his family interests. Chris Broderick was immediately brought in to replace him.


Dates of birth:

Dave Mustaine (13rd September 1961 La Mesa, CA)
Dave Ellefson (12th November 1964 Jackson, MN)
Marty Friedmann (8th December 1962 Washington, DC)
Nick Menza (23rd July 1964 Munich, West Germany)
Glen Drover (25th May 1969 Ottawa, ON Canada)
Shawn Drover (5th May 1966 Montreal, QUE Canada)
James Lomenzo (13th January 1959 New York, NY)
Kerry King (3rd June 1964 Los Angeles, CA)
Jeff Young (31st March 1962 Ann Arbor, MI)
Al Pitrelli (29th September 1962 New York, NY)
James MacDonough (3rd April 1970 Jacksonville, FL)
Gar Samuelson (18th February 1958 Dunkirk, NY) R.I.P. 14th July 1999
Jimmy DeGrasso (16th March 1963 Bethlehem, PA)
Vinnie Colaiuta (5th February 1956 Brownsville, PA)