Solution .45
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Jani Stefanovic |
| Defunct | 2024 |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Christian Älvestam, Jani Stefanovic, Patrik Gardberg, Rolf Pilve, Henric Liljesand |
| Products | Music albums |
| Website | https://myspace.com/solution45 |
Solution .45 emerged as a Swedish melodic death metal supergroup, established in 2007 by guitarist Jani Stefanovic (known for his work with Miseration, Divinefire, and Essence of Sorrow). The band's last roster featured vocalist Christian Älvestam (associated with Miseration and formerly of Scar Symmetry), guitarists Stefanovic and Patrik Gardberg (Divinefire, Torchbearer, The Few Against Many, Ammotrack), drummer Rolf Pilve (Miseration, Essence of Sorrow, Stratovarius), along with bassist Henric Liljesand (The Unguided, Cipher System, Night Crowned, Nightrage, Dead by April).
History
Towards the end of 2007, Jani Stefanovic founded Solution .45, with Christian Älvestam joining the lineup after departing Scar Symmetry in 2008. Stefanovic highlighted that the band’s sound would not mimic Scar Symmetry, explaining that compositions had been developed prior to Christian’s inclusion. In the autumn of 2008, they recorded an eight-track demo alongside Tomas "Plec" Johansson (Unmoored, Scar Symmetry), which included the song "Clandestinity Now."
The debut album For Aeons Past was tracked at Panic Room Studios in September 2009, featuring lyrics predominantly penned by Mikael Stanne from Dark Tranquillity. By December 2009, the album was finalized and mastered, subsequently released under AFM Records in Europe and Marquee/Avalon in Japan. Its European launch occurred in April 2010, followed by a North American release in May.
Keyboardist Mikko Härkin exited the group on 23 January 2010 but remained a guest contributor on the album. On 29 May 2010, Stefanovic amicably parted ways with Solution .45 and was succeeded by Patrik Gardberg; nonetheless, Stefanovic continued to participate in upcoming projects.
In August 2010, they unveiled a music video for "Gravitational Lensing," followed by another for "Lethean Tears" in July 2011. Stefanovic rejoined the band in August 2011, expanding the guitar section to three members alongside Gardiner and Gardberg; around this period, bassist Anders Edlund also departed.
By mid-2014, Solution .45 was actively developing their second and third studio albums. Tom Gardiner left the band in July of that year. On 31 August 2015, they announced Nightmares In The Waking State: Part I, scheduled for release in November 2015 across vinyl, CD, and digital formats. Its successor, Nightmares in the Waking State: Part II, followed with an August 2016 release.
In January 2023, Solution .45 revealed plans to produce a new album anticipated for early 2024. However, the group officially disbanded in May 2024 due to diminished enthusiasm.
Members
Final lineup
- Christian Älvestam – vocals, keyboards (2007–2017, 2019–2024) (Miseration, The Few Against Many, ex-Scar Symmetry)
- Rolf Pilve – drums (2007–2017, 2019–2024) (Miseration, Essence of Sorrow, Stratovarius)
- Jani Stefanovic – guitars (2007–2010, 2011–2017, 2019–2024), keyboards (2011–2017, 2019–2024) (Miseration, Divinefire, Essence of Sorrow, The Few Against Many)
- Patrik Gardberg – lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards (2010–2016, 2023–2024) (Divinefire, Torchbearer, The Few Against Many, Ammotrack)
- Henric Liljesand – bass (2023–2024) (The Unguided, Cipher System, Night Crowned, Nightrage, Dead by April)
Former
- Mikko Härkin – keyboards (2007–2010) (Symfonia, Kotipelto, ex-Sonata Arctica, Mehida)
- Anders Edlund – bass (2007–2012) (Angel Blake, The Few Against Many)
- Tom "Tomma" Gardiner – guitars (2007–2014) (Hateform, ex-Mors Principium Est)
- Ronnie Björnström – guitars (2016–2017, 2019–2023) (Defiatory, Ill-Wisher, Taedeat, ex-Aeon)
Timeline
Discography
- For Aeons Past (2010)
- Nightmares in the Waking State: Part I (2015)
- Nightmares in the Waking State: Part II (2016)