Black Metal was a fanzine from Belgium, written in Dutch. But here is an article translated to English.
SWEDISH METAL SPECIAL - PART 2
Black Metal #2 already featured a Sweden Special featuring the leading Swedish bands. Now, of course, there's the new generation, and we're taking a closer look at three of these bands. The similarities between the groups are twofold: one demo and all sharing the same manager!
AXID
Axid is the first band we'll be covering. This southern Swedish formation consists of Michael Ivory: guitar, Tommy Vane: bass, Max Wing: drums, Jon Diamond: "throat" and Remmy Brandt: guitar. Axid claims they don't play heavy metal; they consider it "heavy"!
The band formed three years ago, and after experimenting with a few lineups, they're now touring with the five-piece lineup mentioned above. They're well-known in southern Sweden and have already played numerous shows there. On stage, Axid is a feast for the eyes and ears, using a wealth of effects to give fans an unforgettable evening. They come across as highly professional and have a lot of ambition! To attract a record label, Axid recorded a 4-track demo that sounds excellent!
The demo opens with the excellent and melodic "White Lies," which reminds me somewhat of a good Pretty Maids song! The song is very catchy and features a great solo! The following "Lovegames" is heavier (sharper guitar work), and Jon Diamond's vocals are becoming increasingly appealing to me! The B-side of the demo starts with "Stand in Light," a song with much more commercial vocals and a very unusual tempo. The final track is called "Exciter," which strikes me as a cross between Queensrÿche and Pretty Maids!
If I were to rate this demo, I would give it a 7.75 (just under an eight). Axid can easily be considered the Swedish answer to their overseas neighbors Pretty Maids. I eagerly await the next work from this promising band.
Interested parties can order the demo for 200 Belgian francs from Ola Nilzzon, the manager.
HIGHLIGHT
Highlight (logo on previous page) is a band from Malmö, Sweden. Line-up: Michael Leufvenius: guitar
Magnus Leufvenius: bass and vocals
Brynwolf Leufvenius: drums
As you can see, these are three brothers. Their ancestor was the famous (???) Viking Sture Leufvenius, someone with the reputation of being the toughest Viking in Scandinavia! When Highlight was formed in 1981, that tough blood still flowed through the veins of these descendants!
They describe their music as "BARBARIAN WITH ALL" and there's truly no better name!
Michael received classical guitar training and has many years of experience. Magnus plays bass like Lemmy, but his voice makes you think you're hearing Rob Halford! Only the low vocals are a bit more Lemmy-esque. Very original indeed! Finally, Brynwolf is a top-notch drummer! Most of their performances were as support for the other great Swedish newcomer, Syroni Vanes!
After Michael and Magnus had written a few songs, the group went to the "Porta Studio" in Malmö to record a 4-track demo. 'Children of the Brave' opened, and it did so brilliantly. It immediately hit the ground running, with occasional Halford+Lemmy vocals. The song also strongly resembles a Judas Priest track!
'Rape & Plunder' is an ultra-heavy track that's somewhat simple in structure. The three-second 'A Night At Valhalla' (the band members' roars) closes the first side of the tape. So, let's turn it over. The instrumental opening of "Pilgrims" is top-notch, and so is the rest! It also features a beautiful melodic solo! "Holy Night" closes in typical Priest style.
A second guitar wouldn't hurt Highlight. These Judas Priest fans get a solid 8 from me (considering their limited resources).
SYRON VANES
This band is a fellow townsman (or village???) of Highlight.
They are undoubtedly the most professional and also the most promising of this entire special. Syron Vanes just signed a contract with a well-known English record label!
In August 1983, Andy Seymore and Stephen Mavrock formed Syron Vanes. They soon found a good songwriter, Rimmy Wrixer! Only a bassist, but was still missing a guitarist.
After six months of searching, they hadn't found anything good and slowly, hope was given up. Syron Vanes' end was imminent! At that point, Rix Volin, singer-bassist of another band, High Level, was no longer in a band and decided to start over with Syron Vanes. The first concert was an immediate success!
Shortly after, they were even asked to participate in a Swedish H.M. compilation album. Syron Vanes is coming to Germany and Denmark this fall! Giving concerts in Sweden proved difficult, as during one of their performances, the fans went a bit too wild and nearly destroyed the venue!
They recently recorded a promising demo of Swedish H.M., which they consider too commercial, so they play more in the style of the N.W.O.B.H.M. as it was around 1880. They certainly don't want to pollute their music with keyboards or other similar junk. The demo was recorded in the same studio as Highlight and is their own production. 'Suicide' launches brilliantly and shows the band is on the right track! All the songs were written by Andy except 'Forever,' which is by Rimmy!
The next track, 'Running Wild,' is in the same vein and also sounds very professional! 'No Mercy' is a bit weaker but still very good. The tempo changes are also quite good! The final track, 'Forever' (no, not the one by Y&T) concludes the demo on a great note!
As a final rating, I'd confidently give it a solid 8.5!
This demo can be ordered for 10 DM, or 4 dollars, or 3 pounds, or 10 guilders, or 200 Belgian francs.
All the demos discussed here can be ordered at the address shown above. All in all, Sweden has a new generation of good bands, and we'll be hearing a lot more from them.