CEREMONIAL OATH

With members who later came to play with In Flames, Hammerfall and Tiamat, Ceremonial Oath has to be counted as one of the best hard rock nurseries of our time. Over a few intense years the band managed to release a handful of discs that are regarded as important milestones in the creation of the Gothenburg Sound. The original members split up in 1993, but now for the first time in almost 20 years they are about to reunite on stage.

ON STAGE: FRIDAY 4th

DREAM EVIL

Few people have played such a leading role in the Gothenburg Sound genre as producer Fredrik Nordström. He has been involved in recording almost every hard rock band in Gothenburg (In Flames, Hammerfall, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates and Evergrey, to name a few) as well as numerous bands from outside the city (Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, Soilwork and more). Since 2002 Fredrik has also fronted his own metal band, Dream Evil.

ON STAGE: SATURDAY 5th

Snowy Shaw

Started his career 1989 in Los Angeles where and when he was re-cruited as the new drummer for pioneering danish satanist band King Diamond. The previous 20 years was spent in Gothenburg, Sweden where the suburban kid grows up with a passion and devotion for heavy music horror and superhero comics and playing the drums.

Fast forward some odd 20 years and the multi talented man-boy with a D.I.Y attitude have had a rich and adventurous career working with countless bands and projects such as: Therion, Notre Dame, Mercyful Fate, illwill, Dream Evil, Dimmu Borgir,Memento Mori, XXX among many others.

ON STAGE: FRIDAY 4th

THE RESISTANCE

In 1990 Jesper Strömblad formed what eventually would become Gothenburg’s most successful hard rock band: In Flames. But in 2010 he decided to leave In Flames and now focuses all his energies on the hard rock band The Resistance. He shares the stage with another guitarist from In Flames, Glenn Ljungström, and former vocalist with The Haunted, Marco Aro.

ON STAGE: SATURDAY 5th

NIGHTRAGE

Marios Iliopoulos has made a lasting impression on the Scandinavia metal scene with his band Nightrage. The band formerly included Gus G, who is now guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne.

ON STAGE: SATURDAY 5th

MINORA

Minora is one of the most exciting names of all among the new generation of Gothenburg hard rock bands. Their debut album, Imago, was released in 2011.

ON STAGE: SATURDAY 5th

DEATHDESTRUCTION

Henrik Danhage (ex-Evergrey), Jonas Ekdahl (ex-Evergrey) and Fredrik Larsson (Hammerfall) have now recruited respected vocalist Tony Jelencovich to their band. Tony is well known for his performances with bands such as Transport League, M.A.N, B-Thong, Mnemic, Angel Blake, Glanzig and many others.

ON STAGE: FRIDAY 4th

ENGEL

Niclas Engelin became a full-time member of In Flames some time back after frequent stints as a guitarist. But this does not mean he is turning his back on his own band, Engel. Their latest album Blood Of Saints, released in May, reveals a modern sound.

ON STAGE: FRIDAY 4th

GARDENIAN

In the closing years of the last millennium Gardenian was one of the most promising bands in Gothenburg, but unfortunately they split up after three albums. Now at last we have another chance to hear this interesting band.

ON STAGE: SATURDAY 5th

Deals Death

Deals Death is a melodic death band form Gothenburg, Sweden signed to Universal/Spinefarm. Deals Death have been performing on a number of stages such as House of Metal, Sweden Rock Festival and Rockstad Falun. They have also just recently finished a Japanese Headline tour.