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Unleashed - Biography


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1990-

Biography

A stoic death metal band that not only has defied genre stereotypes by maintaining a solid line-up but stuck true to their convictions with each successive album release. Featuring ex-Nihilist bassist Johnny Hedlund, Unleashed recorded demos in 1989 titled Revenge and Utter Dark that soon sold out, prompting a deal with Germany's Century Media Records. Two now-rare 7" singles were issued before the group released their full-length debut entitled Where No Life Dwells in 1991 and Unleashed toured Europe and America during the year as support to Morbid Angel.

Returning in 1992 with Shadows In The Deep (featuring a cover of Venom's "Countess Bathory"), Unleashed toured hard once more to promote the album, including a European headline tour with support acts Tiamat and Samael before American shows with Cannibal Corpse.

The group's third album, Across The Open Sea, found the band lyrically delving deep into Scandinavian history although oddly it is also notable for including a cover of Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law". Unleashed cut a live album during 1993, although the recordings were initially released as a bootleg prior to the band responding by issuing the Live In Vienna album the following year. In addition to his work in Unleashed guitarist Fredrik Lindgren was also a member of punk outfit Loud Pipes billing himself as 'Freddy Eugene'. Lindgren, his last work with Unleashed being the 1995 Victory album, created stoner metal act Terra Firma in 1999 with Count Raven vocalist Christian Linderson for an eponymous album. His place would be taken by Fredrik Folkare for 1997's Warrior opus.

In October of 2002 Unleashed, and in particular Johnny Hedlund, had to contend with rumours that the band pursued extreme right-wing Nazi politics. Apparently Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters fame had considered Hedlund for inclusion on his metal project Probot until he was informed of the singer's supposed fascist leanings. Hedlund was quick to deny the claims branding them as false and stating "Unleashed praises nature, beast and man. Man....regardless of background, place of birth or color of the skin".

Unleashed marked a return in 2003 with the Hell's Unleashed album, which was followed by Sworn Allegiance in July of 2004. Two years later the band released Midvinterblot which was positively received by critics.

Since then Unleashed have released 2 more albums: 2008's Hammer Battalion and 2010's As Yggdrasil Trembles.