"Eyes Of Oblivion" marks the first time THE HELLACOPTERS had released a full-length album of new material since 2008's "Head Off", and the first full-length album with Dregen since 1997's "Payin' the Dues". It's with a warm welcome back to one of Sweden’s best rock bands
Remember when the last HELLACOPTERS shows were played at Debaser Medis in Stockholm on 25 and 26 October 2008; I was working at that venue and actually shared more than one tear then. The concerts were filmed and streamed live on the band's MySpace page, read about it here!
"Eyes Of Oblivion" and fourteen long years have passed since the last album, we lost the guitarist Strängen, so I was a little bit apprehensive about a new album, but when I heard the album's lead single, "Reap A Hurricane", my mind got changed, as this tune is a real rocker with a catchy melody, a true high class that falls into the typical sound that they once created. Then the band released the album's title track as its second single and holy Moses this new album will kick some ass as the single is amazing. This was followed by the third single, "So Sorry I Could Die", on March 4, 2022, and they serve us with a slow bluesy number that I do really love, it got that magical feeling that lance your soul. (Lance is a pole weapon designed to be used by a mounted warrior or cavalry soldier). "Eyes Of Oblivion" contains ten new tunes with a playtime of just under thirty-five minutes, where all the tracks are highly enjoyable, tunes that have that classic HELLACOPTERS sound that covers the early and the later era, which eventually becomes a very varied album, with a hungry and very playful band. As Andersson described the album as "THE BEATLES meets JUDAS PRIEST, or LYNYRD SKYNYRD meets THE RAMONES, but the best way to describe this album is that it sounds like THE HELLACOPTERS today". And I can only agree with that. “Can´t Wait” follows the more classic sound that could fit any of the older albums. “A Plow And A Doctor” is a groovy piece that waves to the old KISS nerv, great rocker that follows by “Positively Not Knowing”, where they pick up the pace a bit, strong rocker with a catchy chorus. The guitar-driven "Tin Foil Soldier" takes us back in time where their idols get hailed. The very catchy "Beguiled" is probably next in line as a single, excellent tune with a groove to kill for. "The Pressure´s On" has a nice old-school Swedish pop flavor over it, with a great swing in the guitars and vocals. The album closes up with heavy riffs in the bombastic "Try Me Tonight", magic infectious hooks, an excellent tune to round off this marvelous release. I'm sure this one will end high when the year is going to be summarized. Today is a great day to be Swedish!
Sum: Best album for 2022 is already here, welcome back HELLACOPTERS!
Today's tune "Reap A Hurricane" taken from "Eyes Of Oblivion", released April 1st on Nuclear Blast
Swedish high-energy rock and rollers THE HELLACOPTERS will release a new studio album, "Eyes Of Oblivion", on April 1 via Nuclear Blast. It's with a big welcome back I spin the latest title tune. "Eyes Of Oblivion" will mark their first full-length collection of new material since 2008's "Head Off".
Nicke Andersson the guitarist/vocalist states: "The album has 10 songs, and although it's obviously not easy to be objective at all, I think musically it sums up everything we've touched upon from the start in 1994 up until now. Some of the songs date back as far as 10 years or more, and some were written more recently. It's rock and roll played with high energy, so for lack of a better term, I say high-energy rock and roll. You could say it sounds like THE BEATLES meets JUDAS PRIEST or LYNYRD SKYNYRD meets the RAMONES but the best way to describe this album is that it sounds like THE HELLACOPTERS today." 2022 will now mark an exciting new chapter in the history of THE HELLACOPTERS, with an album that sums up what the band delivers like no other: soulful and energetic rock’n’roll!
THE HELLACOPTERS are a Swedish garage rock band that was formed in 1994 by Nicke Andersson (vocals and guitar), Andreas Tyrone "Dregen" Svensson (guitar), Kenny Håkansson (bass) and Robert Eriksson (drums).
THE HELLACOPTERS line up 2022:
Nicke Andersson (vocals and guitar), Andreas Tyrone "Dregen" Svensson (guitar), Anders Lindström (organ, piano), Dolf DeBorst (bass) and Robert Eriksson (drums).
Today's tune "Eyes Of Oblivion" is the title track from the upcoming album, enjoy!
"Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by English rock band THE ROLLING STONES, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It is the opening track on their 1968 album "Beggars Banquet".
"Sympathy for the Devil" is credited to Jagger and Richards, though the song was largely a Jagger composition. The working title of the song was "The Devil Is My Name", having earlier been called "Fallen Angels". Jagger sings in first person narrative as the Devil, boasting his role in each of several historical atrocities. The singer then ironically demands our courtesy towards him, implicitly chastising the listener for our collective culpability in the listed killings and crimes. In the 2012 documentary Crossfire Hurricane, Jagger stated that his influence for the song came from Baudelaire and from the Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita (which had just appeared in English translation in 1967). The book was given to Jagger by Marianne Faithfull and she confirmed the inspiration in an interview with Sylvie Simmons from the magazine Mojo in 2005.
Today's version is by GHOSTs frontman Tobias Forge joins THE HELLACOPTERS for a cover of THE ROLLING STONES tune "Sympathy For The Devil" on Swedish television as part of Sweden’s nationally televised quiz show "På Spåret".
Forge’s rendition was conducted via his latest persona, Papa Emeritus IV, the fourth guise in GHOSTs epic line of ghoulish frontmen. Enjoy today's cover.
Monday, new week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
"III" is the return of the Swedish hard rockers LUCIFER. A band that has really grown for every release and now with the 3rd release it sounds like they finally reached the point where they were aiming for. It's music straight from the seventies that is well executed on all layers.
It's occult hard rock with doom, horror and gothic darkness where they pull the best from hard rock
influences without losing themselves into the unknown, they have created an album that is well thought true, the beautiful vocals from Johanna Sadonis adepts into the musical flow like a water stream, intertwines with the guitars take part in excellent soaring vocals and guitar harmonies and tremendous retro vibes. The guitar work here is particularly memorable, the riffing and the solos is very clever and smart without being strained. The bass lines are thick and smooth and the drums are tasteful. The lyrics cover the occult, death and the devil. The music is catchy and really fun to play, get you into a good mood on uncertain times like this.
From the down-tuned opener "Ghosts" that kickstarts this album in a tastefully old school way of riffing with a catchy melody to switch over to "Midnight Phantom" that shows some magic vocals and heavy infectious guitar riffs. The beauty of the guitars opens up the bleak softness of "Leather Demon", a half paced ballad that accelerates a few in the chouses and sums everything up with neat and tremendous guitar solo. Thick opening of excellent "Lucifer", cleaver riffing and solos with marvelous vocals from Sadonis. Crafty guitar hook and some tasty solos in the dark and gloomy "Pacific Blues" to the smokier and gothic tune "Coffin Fever". Some high-octane thrills in "Flanked By Snakes" to the somber closer "Cemetery Eyes". "Lucifer III" is a combination of the band’s prior works, that they have overthrown a bit, it's an absolute flourishing occult rock release from front to back, well-done guys.
The legendary horror poster artist Graham Humphreys hand-painted "Lucifer III"'s cover. The album was released on March 20th, 2020.
LUCIFER is:
Johanna Sadonis (vocals)
Nicke Andersson (drums)
Harald Göthblad (bass)
Martin Nordin (guitar)
Linus Björklund (guitar)
Sum: "Lucifer III" is one of the most fun albums you will hear this year and works perfectly in times like this, get it NOW!
Today's tune "Midnight Phantom" taken from "Lucifer III", enjoy!
The upcoming tour, if it's not going to cancel as
everything else gets when Coronavirus is spreading over our planet.
The Third Commandment – Europe 2020 – Part I
w/special guests: YEAR OF THE GOAT
April 23 – Tampere, FIN – Klubi
April 24 – Helsinki, FIN – DesertHel Festival, On The Rocks*
May 7 – Hamburg DE, Knust
May 8 – Essen DE, Turock
May 9 – Köln DE, Helios 37
May 10 – Den Bosch NL, Willem Twee
May 12 – London UK, Underworld
May 13 – Paris FR, Petit Bain
May 14 – Strasbourg FR, La Laiterie
May 15 – Kaiserslautern DE, Kammgarn
May 16 – Nürnberg DE, Hirsch
May 17 – Praha CZ, Nová Chmelnice
May 19 – Poznan PL, U Bazyla
May 20 – Dresden DE, Scheune
May 21 – Berlin DE, Lido
May 22 – Hannover DE, Bei Chez Heinz
May 23 – Odense DK, Posten
May 29 – Stockholm SWE, Debaser Strand
May 30 – Göteborg SWE, Pustervik
July 3 – Ballenstedt DE, Rock Harz Open Air*
July 31 – Wacken, DE – Wacken Open Air*
August 1 – Soria, ES – Motorbeach Festival*
October 16 – St. Petersburg, RU – MOD
October 17 – Moscow, RU – Aglomerat
November 7 – Great Yarmouth, UK – Hard Rock Hell
*festival dates
The Swedish Rocker Dregen have release another tune from his solo album to support his upcoming Swedish tour dates.
The Video is an lyric video where Dregen writes the lyrics and the typical KIZZ "S" is there, dont have it on this keyboard, but most rockers will know how it looks like anyway, but it's nice that he show clearly that he dig that band.
Today's tune "Mojo's Gone" taken from his latest solo album. Music video by Dregen performing Mojo's Gone. Video Editor - Gustav Kronfelt. Enjoy!
Upcoming Swirls Sweden Tour dates
15 Nov - Rockbåten / Helsingborg
16 Nov - Dirty Harry Rockbar / Gävle
17 Nov - Rock At Sea / Viking Line
18 Nov - Almenäs Källare / Nässjö
24 Nov - Saga Salongen / Torshälla
25 Nov - Saga Salongen / Torshälla
30 Nov - Debaser Strand / Stockholm
1 Dec - Sticky Fingers / Göteborg
2 Dec - East West / Örebro
THE HELLACOPTERS did a live performance at Debaser Strand here in stockholm, for the benefit for their former guitarist Robert ”Strängen” Dahlqvist's daughter Ingrid. "Strängen" who passed away accidentally earlier this year. It was a sensitive and totally mind blowing performance with the band, who really maxed out every little piece of strength in their bodies to make a performance that never should be forgotten.
THE HELLACOPTERS lineup during this evening was Nicke Andersson (guitar), Robert Eriksson (drums), Anders Lindström (Boba Fett) (keyboards), Dregen (guitar) and Sami Yaffa from HANOI ROCKS (bass).
The band and Ingrid in the middle.
Today's tune "Soulseller" is taken from the second album "Payin' the Dues", released October 1, 1997.
This was their last studio album to feature original guitarist Dregen before his departure from the band to focus full-time on his other band BACKYARD BABIES. The album was released simultaneously on both CD and on vinyl; however, "City Slang" was only available on the vinyl edition. The initial pressings were in 2000 units of clear smoke and 2500 units in purple vinyl. Two additional pressings were later available in two different versions of black vinyl. The Toy's Factory release also featured the bonus track "Oh Yeah Alright".
Here is a clip from the show at Debaser, Stockholm 2017.06.22
Monday, even if it’s Sunday here in Sweden it’s still a new week, so let’s introduce ”Record Of The Week"
"Revolution on Repeat” is the latest release from the Swedish garage rockers TROUBLED HORSE. The album was released Mars 31.
Formed in 2003 in their hometown of Örebro (also home to WITCHCRAFT), the Horse crew erupted into the consciousness of riff-worshippers everywhere with a low-key seven-inch vinyl release in 2010, and then their debut album "Step Inside", which was released by Rise Above Records in 2012. An invigorating whirlwind of spiky garage rock, propulsive psychedelia and thunderous, overdriven soul-meets-doom riffing, Step Inside showcased a band with little interest in current or nostalgic trends, instead revelling in a consciously classic but undeniably fresh new take on the most revered and ageless of musical components.
"Revolution on Repeat” is taken the next step forward since their debut album "Step Inside”. The album is righteous mix of the old school rock where the base is garage rock. It’s hard and bluesy rock that is spiced up with psychedelia and some pun. Even if the band bread the same air as WITCHCRAFT, GRAVEYARD and other classic 70’s retro band they stand out from the crowd, as I could say that they sound more as THE HELLACOPTERS with a 70’s approach. First thing that hits me after a few spins that these guys really enjoy what they are doing and they puts in everything that they got in this project. It’s a very fun, soulful album. With a a clean and crisp production you will get some nice listening hours.
The musicians are doing amazing work on "Revolution on Repeat”, album fires off with a real smoker ”Hurricane”, a galloping garage rocker then saddle to an old funky country riffages in "The Filthy Ones” with a vocal performance that will give you goose bumps, he screams, shouts and signs likes his intestines leaves the body. ”Which Way to the Mob” is a melodic rocker where Martin Heppich almost sounds like Nicke Andersson. ”Peasants” is a pulsations bluesy tune with a punk attitude to "The Haunted” where the doomish sound appears, in the middle of the tune they let loose of some marching drums and heavy riffing. ”Desperation” is a half pace swampy country/garage rocker with 60’s approach. "Track 7” stands out a bit, heavy riffing, punkish, bluesy and doomish to the great swampy desert country version of WARREN ZEVONs "My Shit’s Fucked Up”. ”Let Bastards Know” is a classic Swedish garage rocker. The album closes with the half pace start in ”Bleeding” to sparkle out to something furious until it falls back a bit to take some air until it fires off again, the tune fades out in the end right in the middle of the beauty part, wtf!
Sum: "Revolution on Repeat” is a really fun record that you should own!
Today’s tune ”Hurricane” is the first single taken from "Revolution on Repeat”, Video directed by Olle Forestam Wijkander. Enjoy!
Sunday, time for a classic, the best one that suits a dark Sunday is "By the Grace of God”
The tune is the title track taken from is the fifth album released by the Swedish rock band THE HELLACOPTERS. The CD version of the album came in three different combinations of the red, white and black cloud and lightning design. The design would become a trademark for the band and was used on backdrops, merchandise, different record covers and in music videos. The LP version released in Sweden had a black cover and vinyl while the European version had a white cover and vinyl. Limited edition versions of the album in Japan and America also featured "Red Lights" and the Rory Gallagher song "Big Gun" as bonus tracks. Another special American version also featured an embossed logo, a fold-up digi pack and a patch.
Today's tune "By The Grace Of God” is a masterpiece by THE HELLACOPTERS, just listen to the lightening fast and fluid fret work of ”Strängen" (Strings) and the thunderbolts drumming by Robert Ericsson, the groovy melody man Kenny Håkansson, the piano magical ”Bobba" and for last, the mastermind him self Nicke Andersson, a hell of songwriter.
Here is a live clip from Rockpalast, Rock am Ring 2008
”Strängen” (The String) or as Robert Dahlqvist (16 April 1976 – February 2017) was a Swedish guitarist and vocalist best known for his tenure with the rock band THE HELLACOPTERS. He was also the lead singer and guitarist in THUNDER EXPRESS (DUNDERTÅGET), a band originally started as a side project to his work with THE HELLACOPTERS. At the time of his death, aged 40, Dahlqvist had nearly completed his first solo album.
It’s with big sadness to say goodbye to ”Strängen”. I hardly knew him, I met him on several occasions, a really good man, always pleasant, arrived and greeted, chatted happily about the discs which was our common interest. During the last year, was invited to his "Vinyl Club" as he had at home, an opportunity to share music and play music. A very nice initiative of string, a meeting that I looked forward, a meeting that unfortunately will never occur. Strängen was a real rocker, something we needed in this strange up fucked world. I would like to say something to avoid speculation, He did not kill himself, he died of an accident.
One of his best friend wrote an very good article about him in the Swedish newspaper
SVD Read it.
Today’s tune ”Bangatan” was a single from his ”upcoming” (dunno if it’s ever going to be released) album. And as Stefan Sundström said about the tune.
Listen to the string and listen to the alarm bells from Bangatan. Four Horsemen ride down the lamb and soon break the seventh seal. Hallelujah and Hail Rock n 'Roll! Smash all prejudices!
CREDITS, Directed & Edited by Emil Klinta, DOP & Grade: Johan Forsberg, VFX: Joakim Millqvist, Sound FX: Per Laxvik Melodibyrån
Keeping up the stroll of good rock, today we take the step into the Garage, with a cool band from Gothenburg, Sweden.
MARULK plays a really grooving garage rock and could easily be compared to everything from THE HELLACOPTERS to GRAND FUNK RAILROAD with a slight turn of NOVEMBER, it's a fast moving boogiefying groove like AC/DC.
MARULK = Lophius piscatorius, commonly known as the angler, is a monkfish in the family Lophiidae. It is found in coastal waters of the northeast Atlantic, from the Barents Sea to the Strait of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Within some of its range, including the Irish Sea this species comprises a significant commercial fishery.
Todays tune "Devils On A Stroll" is a 7" single that was released in October 2010. Recorded during an intense weekend trip to the amazing Pub Bastun in Åland. The Camerawork and cutting by the sharp eyed man Hampus Samuelsson, abacrombie.se, enjoy!
New week, new month and that means it's time to present this week's "Record of the Week"
A year after the awesome self titled debut with our neighbours (Norway) SPIDERGAWD, they are back with are brand new album "Spidergawd II", this weeks "Record Of The Week".
The Trondheim-based SPIDERGAWDs music is intressting mix of 70's classic boogie rock, with progressive hooks and jazzy licks, it's a pretty forward and catchy, no fuss or other strange things. The influences are of course MOTORPSYCHO, as part of the band plays there. THE HELLACOPTERS are another one. It's Heavy, Bluesy, Jazzy and delightfully messy that you can only smile when you hear this. Take the first tune "...Is All She Says" with the slow guitar blues intro until it rise to a hard rocking beast. Or todays tune "Tourniquet", a happy, speedy and snotty garage rocker. Or the instrumental psychedelic "Careulean Caribou" with Jazzy and Dizzy saxophone, a real beauty in my ears.
The album was recorded at SoerGarden Studios and the cover Illustration is made by Emile Morel.
SPIDERGAWD are:
Bass – Bent Sæther
Design Concept – Håvard Gjelseth
Drums – Kenneth Kapstad
Guitar, Vocals – Per Borten
Record Summary: This is a record that appeals to you with a wide music taste and like it when bands take a few steps outside the box and are experimental.
Todays tune "Tourniquet" is taken from the new album Spidergawd II.
PS: The album is available as 180g vinyl (CD included). Limited edition 500 copies. Order it from Stickman, here.
Spidergawd upcoming tourdates:
12/02 Folken, Stavanger, NO
13/02 Skala, Haugesund, NO
14/02 Hulen, Bergen, NO
19/02 Lundetangen, Skien, NO
21/02 Rockefeller, Oslo, NO
27/02 Samfundet, Trondheim, NO
09/04 Roadburn, Ytrecht, NL
Sunday, time for a classic. "(Gotta Get Some Action) Now!" is the first single by THE HELLACOPTERS, released in 1996 from the album Supershitty to the Max!. In general this single is the third in a group's activity (after "Killing Alan" and "1995"). The music video THE HELLACOPTERS have shot in 1996. It was the first video by the group. It shows the band playing on racing competitions in a karting park, mixing with the fragments of playing at the concert. The members of the group took place in kart racing and drove in go-karts. And on some curves appeared tables with the label "action"
Supershitty to the Max! is the Grammis Award winning debut album and was recorded in just 26 hours during February 1996 at Sunlight Studios in Stockholm.
The album was initially released on 500 units of clear vinyl, followed two weeks later by a CD version. A second vinyl release was available in 1997 with 1500 units in white vinyl, whilst Toys Factory also released the album in Japan with a cover version of the Misfits song "Bullet" as a bonus track.
Todays tune "(Gotta Get Some Action) Now!" is a classic beast, it's furious like a go-kart race. Enjoy!
When Imperial State Electric plays or release something new, you know what you get, an unmistakable dose and high-octane garage rock filled with old classic soul and blues.
Imperial State Electric is a rock band founded by former front man of The Hellacopters Nicke Andersson (vocals and guitar), Dolph de Borst (vocals, bass), Tobias Egge (vocals, guitar) and Tomas Eriksson (drums). The band released their self-titled album March 28, 2010.
Todays tune "Reptile Brain" is the title track from the third album "Reptile Brain Music", an album that follow the same path as it's predecessors.
The tune Reptile Brain (with bassist Dolf De Borst from The Datsuns behind the mic ) have a good swing, enjoy it! The video is directed and edited by Jonathan Forefält and Love Friberger.
Listen to ”Marulk - Devils On A Stroll" on Spotify 
Listen to "Spidergawd- Tourniquet" on Spotify 
