Falconer (band)
Encyclopedia
Falconer is a Swedish power metal
band from Mjölby
, formed in 1999. Founded by the former guitarist of Mithotyn
, Stefan Weinerhall
. Falconer carry on many of the traditions set by Weinerhall's previous band and play a style of power metal that utilises folk instrumentation and melody to create a more medieval sound.
dissolved in 1999, Stefan went on to what would later become Falconer, with the same kind of melodies and epic lyrics. But now the mind was set on a clear vocalist. After a while a demo was recorded and Mathias Blad was found to do the vocals as a session member.
This demo was sent to different labels throughout Europe and after some time there was a couple of contracts to choose between. Since the demo was recorded with a drum machine Stefan realised that he had to get a real drummer if there would be an album recording to be done in the future. Karsten Larsson (also ex-Mithotyn) was no problem to convince to join up with Falconer. Mathias was also enthusiastic to join the band on a more permanent basis since his former appearance in the band had resulted in an overwhelming response from people and finally resulted in a record deal with Metal Blade Records
.
Finally in November 2000, the band entered the Los Angered Recording (now Sonic Train Studios) with Andy LaRocque
and Jacob Hansen behind the knobs. It was a three-week session for one hour of music, so the schedule was pretty tight. The band was very satisfied with the result in this cosy studio outside of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The album that was entitled Falconer
was released in March in Europe and May in the United States. The response to the album was better than the band had expected, it got very high ratings in most reviews. At the release of the album, the band did not have any plans whatsoever to promote it live, that's why the small line-up worked out.
With the success came the wishes from the fans to see the band on stage, thus the band gave the idea a thought. The decision was that, after the next album, they would hire some additional people to fill the line-up.
As the summer and fall went by, the band rehearsed more material for the upcoming album. The music was pretty much in the same style, but with some progress along the road. It seemed like the new album would be heavier than the first.
One year exactly after the last studio visit they returned to Los Angered. Nine tracks and one bonus track were recorded and mixed during the 24 days. The first album had lacked distribution in Japan but that problem was solved with this one. Soundholic was signed to license it and give the Japanese audience a cheaper alternative than an imported album. The new piece that's called Chapters From a Vale Forlorn
was released on 7 February in Japan and on 11 March in Europe and in the US.
drummer but the guitarist in Swedish band Vrävarna to handle the second guitar live and Peder Johansson to handle the bass live. The band played at Wacken, at the Rock Machina, and the Bang Your Head Festival during the summer. That was a big start for a band who hadn't played live at all before.
After this, more and more proposals and offers for live gigs and tours appeared. At this time, Falconer realized that they would have to continue to cancel tours and gigs in the future. Having seen Mathias' schedule for the next year, they realized that he would not have much time for anything else than his main occupation: theatre and musicals.
So if the rest of the band wanted to take the offers they got, they had to get a new vocalist, although they knew that much of the interest in the band was brought just because of Mathias' original voice.
In November 2002, they found Kristoffer Göbel
, also the vocalist in the band Destiny
. At the same time, the live musicians joined the band permanently. During the spring the band wrote and rehearsed new material.
Finally the month of May came, and during five weeks, Falconer returned to Los Angered to record The Sceptre of Deception
. According to the band, the album is a mix between the two previous albums, but with some more unexpected turns in the music. This was also a concept album about a happening in their own motherland; a story of greed, betrayal, and lust for power. A lot of guest appearances were added to the album this time, too. It was released on 6 October 2003.
Following the release of the album, internal difficulties brought on by problems with scheduling rehearsals arose within the band and both Anders and Peder Johansson were removed from the line-up. They were eventually replaced with Jimmy Hedlund and Magnus Linhardt, respectively. With this new line-up in place, Falconer recorded Grime vs. Grandeur
, a record that departed quite significantly from their established sound - the folk melodies, themes, and lyrics were mostly replaced with more traditional heavy metal
arrangements. The album received a generally muted response from fans as the band were seen to have lost their somewhat unique identity.
announced via the Falconer forum that he had been fired and it was soon confirmed that Mathias Blad had been re-hired to complete the return to the traditional Falconer sound the band was striving for. Recordings took place over the course of 2006, and a new album entitled Northwind
was released in September of that year.
The album Among Beggars And Thieves
was released in September 2008. The album is heavier than their previous work, Northwind.
The bands newest album is entitled Armod and is due to be released on June 3. The albums songs are all in swedish.
"The album is embracing the Swedish folk music to a greater extent than before making it sound slightly more down to earth. The music spans from acoustic songs with cello, flute and fiddle to songs with blast beats and really heavy riffing."
Former members
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 from Mjölby
Mjölby
Mjölby is a city and the seat of Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden with 11,927 inhabitants in 2005.Mjölby is located by the rivulet Svartån. The name "Mjölby" is derived from "Mölloby", which comes from mylna or mölna -- meaning "mill"...
, formed in 1999. Founded by the former guitarist of Mithotyn
Mithotyn
Mithotyn was a folk metal/black metal band from Mjölby, Sweden.-History:Formed in 1992 as a blackened death metal act under the name Cerberus by founding members; Christian "Christer" Schütz, Stefan Weinerhall who stayed with the band to the end, and Johan who left shortly afterward. After one...
, Stefan Weinerhall
Stefan Weinerhall
Stefan Weinerhall, born 1976 in Mjölby, Sweden, is a heavy metal guitarist, presently playing with Falconer, the band he started in 1999.Stefan played in the viking metal band Mithotyn from their formation until their eventual split in 1999. He and his Mithotyn band mate Karl Beckman also made two...
. Falconer carry on many of the traditions set by Weinerhall's previous band and play a style of power metal that utilises folk instrumentation and melody to create a more medieval sound.
Origins
When the band MithotynMithotyn
Mithotyn was a folk metal/black metal band from Mjölby, Sweden.-History:Formed in 1992 as a blackened death metal act under the name Cerberus by founding members; Christian "Christer" Schütz, Stefan Weinerhall who stayed with the band to the end, and Johan who left shortly afterward. After one...
dissolved in 1999, Stefan went on to what would later become Falconer, with the same kind of melodies and epic lyrics. But now the mind was set on a clear vocalist. After a while a demo was recorded and Mathias Blad was found to do the vocals as a session member.
This demo was sent to different labels throughout Europe and after some time there was a couple of contracts to choose between. Since the demo was recorded with a drum machine Stefan realised that he had to get a real drummer if there would be an album recording to be done in the future. Karsten Larsson (also ex-Mithotyn) was no problem to convince to join up with Falconer. Mathias was also enthusiastic to join the band on a more permanent basis since his former appearance in the band had resulted in an overwhelming response from people and finally resulted in a record deal with Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
.
Finally in November 2000, the band entered the Los Angered Recording (now Sonic Train Studios) with Andy LaRocque
Andy LaRocque
Andy LaRocque is best known as a guitarist, songwriter, and occasional synth player for the band King Diamond.-Biography:...
and Jacob Hansen behind the knobs. It was a three-week session for one hour of music, so the schedule was pretty tight. The band was very satisfied with the result in this cosy studio outside of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The album that was entitled Falconer
Falconer (album)
Falconer is the self-titled first album by Swedish power metal band Falconer.-Track listing:# Upon The Grave of Guilt – 4:57# Heresy In Disguise – 5:19# Wings of Serenity – 5:00# A Quest for the Crown – 4:14...
was released in March in Europe and May in the United States. The response to the album was better than the band had expected, it got very high ratings in most reviews. At the release of the album, the band did not have any plans whatsoever to promote it live, that's why the small line-up worked out.
With the success came the wishes from the fans to see the band on stage, thus the band gave the idea a thought. The decision was that, after the next album, they would hire some additional people to fill the line-up.
As the summer and fall went by, the band rehearsed more material for the upcoming album. The music was pretty much in the same style, but with some progress along the road. It seemed like the new album would be heavier than the first.
One year exactly after the last studio visit they returned to Los Angered. Nine tracks and one bonus track were recorded and mixed during the 24 days. The first album had lacked distribution in Japan but that problem was solved with this one. Soundholic was signed to license it and give the Japanese audience a cheaper alternative than an imported album. The new piece that's called Chapters From a Vale Forlorn
Chapters From a Vale Forlorn
Chapters from a Vale Forlorn is the second album by Swedish power metal band Falconer.-Track listing:#"Decadence of Dignity" – 4:22#"Enter the Glade" – 3:48#"Lament of a Minstrel" – 4:13#"For Life and Liberty" – 6:23...
was released on 7 February in Japan and on 11 March in Europe and in the US.
Line-up changes
The band found Anders Johansson, not the HammerFallHammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
drummer but the guitarist in Swedish band Vrävarna to handle the second guitar live and Peder Johansson to handle the bass live. The band played at Wacken, at the Rock Machina, and the Bang Your Head Festival during the summer. That was a big start for a band who hadn't played live at all before.
After this, more and more proposals and offers for live gigs and tours appeared. At this time, Falconer realized that they would have to continue to cancel tours and gigs in the future. Having seen Mathias' schedule for the next year, they realized that he would not have much time for anything else than his main occupation: theatre and musicals.
So if the rest of the band wanted to take the offers they got, they had to get a new vocalist, although they knew that much of the interest in the band was brought just because of Mathias' original voice.
In November 2002, they found Kristoffer Göbel
Kristoffer Göbel
Karl Kristoffer Göbel, born October 23, 1978, is a Swedish vocalist. He has sung for both the heavy metal band Destiny and sang for Falconer between 2003 and 2005 - a position from which he was fired to make way for the returning original vocalist, Mathias Blad...
, also the vocalist in the band Destiny
Destiny (band)
Destiny is a heavy metal / progressive metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden, founded by Stefan Björnshög.-Members:Current*Stefan Björnshög - Bass*Michael Åberg - Guitar*Birger Löfman - DrumsFormer...
. At the same time, the live musicians joined the band permanently. During the spring the band wrote and rehearsed new material.
Finally the month of May came, and during five weeks, Falconer returned to Los Angered to record The Sceptre of Deception
The Sceptre of Deception
The Sceptre of Deception is the third album by swedish power metal band Falconer, the first with vocalist Kristoffer Göbel and the also the first to feature a full band line-up...
. According to the band, the album is a mix between the two previous albums, but with some more unexpected turns in the music. This was also a concept album about a happening in their own motherland; a story of greed, betrayal, and lust for power. A lot of guest appearances were added to the album this time, too. It was released on 6 October 2003.
Following the release of the album, internal difficulties brought on by problems with scheduling rehearsals arose within the band and both Anders and Peder Johansson were removed from the line-up. They were eventually replaced with Jimmy Hedlund and Magnus Linhardt, respectively. With this new line-up in place, Falconer recorded Grime vs. Grandeur
Grime vs. Grandeur
Grime vs. Grandeur is the fourth album by Swedish power metal band Falconer, and the last to feature vocalist Kristoffer Göbel.-Track listing:# Emotional Skies – 5:11# Purgatory Time – 4:44# I Refuse – 4:35# Humanity Overdose – 6:16...
, a record that departed quite significantly from their established sound - the folk melodies, themes, and lyrics were mostly replaced with more traditional heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
arrangements. The album received a generally muted response from fans as the band were seen to have lost their somewhat unique identity.
Return to the roots
In November 2005, Kristoffer GöbelKristoffer Göbel
Karl Kristoffer Göbel, born October 23, 1978, is a Swedish vocalist. He has sung for both the heavy metal band Destiny and sang for Falconer between 2003 and 2005 - a position from which he was fired to make way for the returning original vocalist, Mathias Blad...
announced via the Falconer forum that he had been fired and it was soon confirmed that Mathias Blad had been re-hired to complete the return to the traditional Falconer sound the band was striving for. Recordings took place over the course of 2006, and a new album entitled Northwind
Northwind (album)
Northwind is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Falconer, the first to feature returning vocalist Mathias Blad since Chapters from a Vale Forlorn.-Track listing:#"Northwind" - 4:15#"Waltz With The Dead" - 3:49#"Spirit Of The Hawk" - 3:39...
was released in September of that year.
The album Among Beggars And Thieves
Among Beggars And Thieves
Among Beggars and Thieves is the sixth album by the Swedish power metal band Falconer, released on September 2, 2008 through Metal Blade Records. A heavier album than Northwind, it tells the tale of the hardships of medieval Sweden. Some of the songs seem heavily inspired by actual historical events...
was released in September 2008. The album is heavier than their previous work, Northwind.
The bands newest album is entitled Armod and is due to be released on June 3. The albums songs are all in swedish.
"The album is embracing the Swedish folk music to a greater extent than before making it sound slightly more down to earth. The music spans from acoustic songs with cello, flute and fiddle to songs with blast beats and really heavy riffing."
Discography
- FalconerFalconer (album)Falconer is the self-titled first album by Swedish power metal band Falconer.-Track listing:# Upon The Grave of Guilt – 4:57# Heresy In Disguise – 5:19# Wings of Serenity – 5:00# A Quest for the Crown – 4:14...
(2001) - Chapters From a Vale ForlornChapters From a Vale ForlornChapters from a Vale Forlorn is the second album by Swedish power metal band Falconer.-Track listing:#"Decadence of Dignity" – 4:22#"Enter the Glade" – 3:48#"Lament of a Minstrel" – 4:13#"For Life and Liberty" – 6:23...
(2002) - The Sceptre of DeceptionThe Sceptre of DeceptionThe Sceptre of Deception is the third album by swedish power metal band Falconer, the first with vocalist Kristoffer Göbel and the also the first to feature a full band line-up...
(2003) - Grime vs. GrandeurGrime vs. GrandeurGrime vs. Grandeur is the fourth album by Swedish power metal band Falconer, and the last to feature vocalist Kristoffer Göbel.-Track listing:# Emotional Skies – 5:11# Purgatory Time – 4:44# I Refuse – 4:35# Humanity Overdose – 6:16...
(2005) - NorthwindNorthwind (album)Northwind is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Falconer, the first to feature returning vocalist Mathias Blad since Chapters from a Vale Forlorn.-Track listing:#"Northwind" - 4:15#"Waltz With The Dead" - 3:49#"Spirit Of The Hawk" - 3:39...
(2006) - Among Beggars And ThievesAmong Beggars And ThievesAmong Beggars and Thieves is the sixth album by the Swedish power metal band Falconer, released on September 2, 2008 through Metal Blade Records. A heavier album than Northwind, it tells the tale of the hardships of medieval Sweden. Some of the songs seem heavily inspired by actual historical events...
(2008) - Armod (2011)
Band members
Current members- Mathias BladMathias BladMathias Blad is a Swedish actor and singer, mainly known for being the lead singer of the power metal band Falconer.- Biography :Mathias was born in Motala, Sweden in 1973...
– vocals, keyboards - Stefan WeinerhallStefan WeinerhallStefan Weinerhall, born 1976 in Mjölby, Sweden, is a heavy metal guitarist, presently playing with Falconer, the band he started in 1999.Stefan played in the viking metal band Mithotyn from their formation until their eventual split in 1999. He and his Mithotyn band mate Karl Beckman also made two...
– rhythm & lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals - Jimmy Hedlund – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Magnus Linhardt – bass
- Karsten Larsson – drums
Former members
- Kristoffer GöbelKristoffer GöbelKarl Kristoffer Göbel, born October 23, 1978, is a Swedish vocalist. He has sung for both the heavy metal band Destiny and sang for Falconer between 2003 and 2005 - a position from which he was fired to make way for the returning original vocalist, Mathias Blad...
– vocals - Anders Johansson – guitars
- Peder Johansson – bass