Heavy Load (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Wahlquist brothers, Michael Backler |
| Headquarters | Stockholm , Sweden |
| Products | Heavy metal music, studio albums, singles, EPs |
| Website | www |
Heavy Load stands as a pioneering heavy metal ensemble originating from Stockholm, Sweden, widely acknowledged as the nation's inaugural heavy metal group. Established in 1976 by the Wahlquist siblings alongside Michael Backler, the Wahlquist brothers subsequently transitioned into producing and managing Thunderload Records, collaborating with bands such as Veni Domine and Candlemass.
Throughout its history, the band has featured prominent artists including bassist Paul Gray, formerly associated with UFO and The Damned, guitarist Leif Liljegren of Treat, and architect Eero Koivisto. Additionally, Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy made a guest contribution to one of their tracks. Between 1978 and 1985, management duties were handled by Swedish journalist and SVT presenter Anders Tengner. In the 2000s, Thunderload Studios experienced extensive water damage, leading to its closure. After disbanding, members engaged in various other musical ventures.
The group reunited in October 2017, revealing plans for live performances in 2018, including an appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival. On September 6, 2023, Heavy Load announced their first studio album in four decades, titled Riders of the Ancient Storm, which was released on October 6.
Ragne Wahlquist, one of the founding members, passed away on January 7, 2025, aged 69. At that point, the band was in the process of creating a new album they aim to finalize.
Current
- Styrbjörn Wahlquist – drums, vocals, percussion (1976–1985, 2017–present)
- Torbjörn Ragnesjö – bass guitar (1979–1984, 2017–present)
- Nic Savage – guitars (2018–present)
Former
- Paul Gray – bass guitar (1986–??)
- Ragne Wahlquist – guitars, vocals, keyboards (1976–1985, 2017–2025; deceased)
- Patrick Karlsson – guitar (1986–??)
- Andreas Fritz – bass guitar (1984–1985)
- Leif Liljegren – guitar (1979)
- Eero Koivisto – bass guitar (1979)
- Dan Molén – bass guitar (1978–1979)
- Michael Backler – bass guitar (1976–1977)
- Eddy Malm – guitar, vocals (1978–1985)
- Micke Söderström – keyboards (2018)
- Johan Westre – keyboards (2018)
Studio albums
- Full Speed at High Level (1978)
- Death or Glory (1982)
- Stronger Than Evil (1983)
- Riders of the Ancient Storm (2023)
EPs
- Metal Conquest (1981)
Others
- "Take Me Away" (single, 1982)
- Live (VHS, 1983)
- "Free" (single, 1983)
- "Monsters of the Night" (single, 1985)