Assailant
Encyclopedia
Assailant is a Swedish power metal
band formed in 2004 formerly signed on the label Dockyard 1. Their debut album Nemesis Within was released in May 2006.
Furthermore Morrigan's Pit says "It's hard to describe the band's music as they blend so many different styles together....it's aggressive yet melodic, contains a little bit of everything..." in a live review of Demons of the Opera.
. The original line-up of Sacra Via is unknown, the drummer
's name was Lars, and the keyboardist
's name was Fredrik. In 2000 Fredrik quit the band and Peder Sandström took his place behind the Keyboard. They did not have a vocalist, but soon produced an instrumental demo (unknown title). In 2001 Lars was replaced by new drummer, Patrik Larsson, an old friend of Peder Sandström, and the band decided changed its name to Ecliptica. They produced some songs, recorded demos and soon were able to find vocalist Marcus Granberg. With a full line-up they could now do more live performances. After some time they felt they needed a more full sound on stage and, in 2003, recruited Kristofer Eriksson, childhood friend of Patrik and Peder, on guitars.
In early 2004 Marcus Granberg left the band for a job in Spain and around that time Kristofer moved to Stockholm
to study music. At this time the band seemed to disappear for a while, but apparently just to come back stronger than ever. During the summer of 2004 they recruited vocalist Peder Sundqvist (Dead street journal, former Lesra) and later on Marcus Sundbom (Dead street journal, Diaspora), and also changed their sound totally. The new sound was more raw and aggressive, reminiscent of Evergrey
and the "Gothenburg
sound" (In flames
), and they felt it was time for a change of name again. The band Assailant had erupted from the remains of Ecliptica but with very little similarities in sound.
In 2005 Assailant produced a demo record named Mental State, consisting of 8 songs. This record was however only for promotion, record companies and reviews - not for sale or free to download. In April/May they played at Demons of the Opera in Umeå, not with the philharmonic orchestra though, but on the "Black Box" stage. The German label Dockyard 1 quickly took the bait, and signed with the band around August/September 2005. Emil Norberg (Persuader
), the brother of Oskar, might have been the one hooking them up with Dockyard since Persuader already had a contract with that company. Another brother of Oskar is Nils Norberg
, guitarist in Nocturnal Rites
. The band had a lot of gigs between this time and May 2006 when their debut album Nemesis Within was released. Both Nils and Emil made small guest performances on Nemesis Within, a solo part featuring all three brothers.
Assailant's second album, Wicked Dream, was released March 21, 2008 followed by a music video for the song A Day Tomorrow filmed by Owe Lingvall
In may 2009 Assailant performed at Chicago Powerfest
along with notable acts such as Devildriver
and Black Label Society
. A few month later in August keyboardist Peder Sandström parted with the band.
December 30, 2009 Blabbermouth.net
reported that Assailant had split with record label Dockyard 1.
According to Assailant's official website and blabbermouth.net they are working on a third album and new songs, not yet released, can be heard at the website of their booking agency HornsUp Agency and their myspace site.
A performance at festival Rock out wild, in Sorsele
, August 12, 2011, where Peder Sandström was playing with Assailant suggests he might have joined the band again.
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band formed in 2004 formerly signed on the label Dockyard 1. Their debut album Nemesis Within was released in May 2006.
The Sound
According to lead guitarist Oskar Norberg Assailant's style is "A blend of modern, melodic thrash and old school heavy metal with lots of interesting harmonies." and Metalfrontiers, an online web magazine describes it as "Power metal+thrash riffs+a very good singer with a unique voice+keyboards=Assailant. I know that many of you hate maths but this is the best way to describe Assailant�s music.".Furthermore Morrigan's Pit says "It's hard to describe the band's music as they blend so many different styles together....it's aggressive yet melodic, contains a little bit of everything..." in a live review of Demons of the Opera.
Biography
Oskar Norberg and Joakim Jonsson started playing together around 1996-1998. In 1999 their band took the name Sacra Via, and played music greatly influenced by Dream TheaterDream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
. The original line-up of Sacra Via is unknown, the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
's name was Lars, and the keyboardist
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
's name was Fredrik. In 2000 Fredrik quit the band and Peder Sandström took his place behind the Keyboard. They did not have a vocalist, but soon produced an instrumental demo (unknown title). In 2001 Lars was replaced by new drummer, Patrik Larsson, an old friend of Peder Sandström, and the band decided changed its name to Ecliptica. They produced some songs, recorded demos and soon were able to find vocalist Marcus Granberg. With a full line-up they could now do more live performances. After some time they felt they needed a more full sound on stage and, in 2003, recruited Kristofer Eriksson, childhood friend of Patrik and Peder, on guitars.
In early 2004 Marcus Granberg left the band for a job in Spain and around that time Kristofer moved to Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
to study music. At this time the band seemed to disappear for a while, but apparently just to come back stronger than ever. During the summer of 2004 they recruited vocalist Peder Sundqvist (Dead street journal, former Lesra) and later on Marcus Sundbom (Dead street journal, Diaspora), and also changed their sound totally. The new sound was more raw and aggressive, reminiscent of Evergrey
Evergrey
Evergrey is a progressive metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was founded in 1995 and released its debut album The Dark Discovery in 1998. Their most recent album Glorious Collision was released in 2011.-Lyrical themes:...
and the "Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
sound" (In flames
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...
), and they felt it was time for a change of name again. The band Assailant had erupted from the remains of Ecliptica but with very little similarities in sound.
In 2005 Assailant produced a demo record named Mental State, consisting of 8 songs. This record was however only for promotion, record companies and reviews - not for sale or free to download. In April/May they played at Demons of the Opera in Umeå, not with the philharmonic orchestra though, but on the "Black Box" stage. The German label Dockyard 1 quickly took the bait, and signed with the band around August/September 2005. Emil Norberg (Persuader
Persuader
Persuader is a Swedish power metal band from Umeå in the Swedish lappland Norrland. The band was formed in 1997, and they have since released three full length albums: The Hunter, Evolution Purgatory, and When Eden Burns...
), the brother of Oskar, might have been the one hooking them up with Dockyard since Persuader already had a contract with that company. Another brother of Oskar is Nils Norberg
Nils Norberg
Nils Norberg is a heavy metal guitarist from Umeå in northern Sweden.He played in the band Nocturnal Rites from 1996-2008. His playing can be heard on the albums Tales of Mystery and Imagination, The Sacred Talisman, Afterlife, Shadowland, New World Messiah, Grand Illusion, and The 8th Sin...
, guitarist in Nocturnal Rites
Nocturnal Rites
- Biography :The band started off under the name Necronomic playing heavy metal, as can be heard on their demo . This attracted some independent labels' attention, but they turned them down in the hope of a better opportunity...
. The band had a lot of gigs between this time and May 2006 when their debut album Nemesis Within was released. Both Nils and Emil made small guest performances on Nemesis Within, a solo part featuring all three brothers.
Assailant's second album, Wicked Dream, was released March 21, 2008 followed by a music video for the song A Day Tomorrow filmed by Owe Lingvall
In may 2009 Assailant performed at Chicago Powerfest
Chicago Powerfest
Chicago Powerfest is a heavy metal festival held annually in Illinois since 2000. The 2008 edition took place on May 1-3 at The Pearl Room in Mokena.-May 7 :*Korpiklaani*Eluveitie*Moonsorrow*Primordial*Blackguard*Swashbuckle...
along with notable acts such as Devildriver
DevilDriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, Deathride changed its name to DevilDriver, which refers to bells Italian witches used to...
and Black Label Society
Black Label Society
Black Label Society is a heavy metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video albums released since formation of the band.-Formation and Sonic Brew :...
. A few month later in August keyboardist Peder Sandström parted with the band.
December 30, 2009 Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
reported that Assailant had split with record label Dockyard 1.
According to Assailant's official website and blabbermouth.net they are working on a third album and new songs, not yet released, can be heard at the website of their booking agency HornsUp Agency and their myspace site.
A performance at festival Rock out wild, in Sorsele
Sorsele
Sorsele is a locality and the seat of Sorsele Municipality in Västerbotten County, Sweden with 1,288 inhabitants in 2005. Sorsele is also the nearest town to the ski resort Nalovardo.- References :...
, August 12, 2011, where Peder Sandström was playing with Assailant suggests he might have joined the band again.
Current line-up
- Peder Sundqvist, Vocals
- Oskar Norberg, Guitars
- Patrik Larsson, Drums
- Joakim Jonsson, Bass
- Peder Sandström, Keyboards
- Marcus Sundbom, Guitars
Former members
Assailant has no former members, but Ecliptica, the band Assailant evolved from did have other members.- Kristofer Eriksson, Guitars
- Marcus Granberg, Vocals
Discography
- Wicked Dream (2008)
- Nemesis Within (2006)
- Mental StateMental state* In psychology, mental state is an indication of a person's mental health**Mental status examination, a structured way of observing and describing a patient's current state of mind...
(2004, Demo)