• Genre: Rock
• Active: '80s

Biography

Often hailed as Sweden's first heavy metal band, Heavy Load was founded in Stockholm, in 1976, by brothers Ragne (vocals/guitar) and Styrbjörn Wahlquist (drums/vocals). With bassist Dan Molén in tow, the brothers released Heavy Load's debut album, Full Speed at High Level, in 1978, but their independent record company went bankrupt, and it wasn't until three years later that they re-emerged on their own Thunderload Records imprint, hoisting aloft the Metal Conquest EP, and accompanied by new members Eddie Malm (guitar) and Torbjorn Ragnesjo (bass). Two more albums then followed in quick succession: 1982's Death or Glory and 1983's Stronger Than Evil -- both establishing Heavy Load's "glorious metal" style as a cross between the imagined absurdity of Spinal Tap and the all-too-real (but sometimes equally unbelievable) proto-power/speed metal of Manowar. Heavy metal fans seemed confused about this as well, and since their sales remained limited at best, the group decided to break up following a final single entitled "Monsters of the Night" in 1985. Heavy Load briefly reformed in 1987 for a new round of studio sessions which have yet to be released, so the Wahlquist brothers have since turned their attentions to producing other bands. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide

Representative Albums:

Death or Glory, Stronger Than Evil, Love Revolution