ReinXeed
Encyclopedia
ReinXeed is a symphonic
/power metal
band from Boden, Sweden
. They were formed in 2004 by vocalist Tommy Johansson. They are influenced by soundtrack
movies such as Lord of the Rings and bands like Helloween
with Michael Kiske
, and Rhapsody of Fire
.
In 2008, ReinXeed released their first studio album The Light on Rivel Records
. This helped ReinXeed land an appearance in Japan where they gained fans. Their second album, Higher, has more mature keyboards effects. The band has toured in Sweden and have been working to write material for the new album Majestic. The band is hoping to be touring abroad, especially in Japan.
in the north of Sweden. ReinXeed is Tommy Johansson's musical creation and vision and finally will see the light with its debut album The Light.
Tommy Johansson started to play guitar at the age of nine after he’d seen Gary Moore
’s video “Out in the Fields
” and singing at the age of 15 when he was introduced to Skid Row's track "18 And Life
". His days of soft rock
were over when he first heard Helloween
and Stratovarius
.
After some years in a music school, Tommy had become more of a "all man musician" who could play almost everything: decent guitar, piano, singing, drums, bass guitar and also flute. His songwriting had of course developed to a more advanced level.
In 2006, he decided that movie soundtracks
mixed with melodic power metal
would be very cool music to compose and record. He got his own studio together, started to record these songs again with a better quality, and put them up on his MySpace
site. By doing that, Daniel Eskilsson drummer and band leader of the Swedish melodic power metal band Majestic Vanguard
heard Tommy's songs and set him in touch with Christian Liljegren of Rivel Records
/ CM Sweden. Jani Stefanovic
from Divinefire
and Essence of Sorrow co-produced & mixed the album and handled all the drums on the album.
On The Light Johansson took on a “one man project role” in he handled just about all aspect of the recording process (similar to Matt Smith on the first Theocracy
album). Higher, however, finds the artist backed by a full piece band in that he has recruited two guitarist (Kerry Lundberg & Mattias Johansson), a keyboardist (Henrik Fellermark), drummer (Erik Forsgren) and bassist (Ace Thunder). Needless to say, the overall performance is impressive.
. On the debut album the musical inspiration came from Gary Moore
, every album between 1983-89, Angra
- Rebirth
, Stratovarius
- Destiny
, Episode
, Visions
, Infinite
. Robby Valentine
- everything he’s ever done, Symphony X
- Odyssey
and Helloween
, & Keeper of the Seven Keys
1 & 2.
The Light can best be described as melodic power metal
with the occasional symphonic tendency. Fans of Royal Hunt
, Avantasia
and Sonata Arctica
will find a lot to like here as will those into Theocracy
, Narnia
, Essence of Sorrow and Majestic Vanguard
. Up-tempo numbers such as “The Light” (as fast a song as you will find), melodic based “Great Hall Of ReinXeed” and keyboard driven “Eternity” are as good as it gets. Of equal merit are more progressive based pieces “Northern Sky” and “Kingdom Fall” along with the shredding instrumental “Heavenly Fire”.
was released via Rivel Records on 15, May 2009, and in Japan via King Records on 25, March 2009 including a bonus track "Dreams". Angelicwarlord.com found the audio mix of Higher to be cleaner in comparison to The Light with a "near perfect" mix of guitar leads, drums and keyboards. One criticism was the lack of "an all out element of aggression", with the rhythm guitar sometimes lost in the mix: "There [are] portions of several songs in which all you hear are keyboards and drums, leaving one almost begging for some guitar driven muscle."
cover) and "Pray for Japan", a song done to support Japan in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami
.
, Helloween
- Michael Kiske
, Edguy
, Gary Moore
, Sebastian Bach
- Skid Row, and movie soundtracks such as (Lord of the Rings), Time Machine
, Stargate
and Hook
.
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
/power metal
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 Boden, Sweden
Boden, Sweden
Boden is a locality and the seat of Boden Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 18,680 inhabitants in 2005.- History :The town of Boden started as a railway junction where the Northern Line met with the Ore Line from the rich iron ore fields in northern Sweden.The town experienced...
. They were formed in 2004 by vocalist Tommy Johansson. They are influenced by soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
movies such as Lord of the Rings and bands like Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
with Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween, from 1986 to 1993. From 1996 up to 2009, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, while he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist...
, and Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
.
In 2008, ReinXeed released their first studio album The Light on Rivel Records
Rivel Records
Liljegren Records / CMSweden is a Swedish heavy metal music record label founded by Christian Liljegren in 1997. The label was originally titled C.L. Music and Distribution but was changed later...
. This helped ReinXeed land an appearance in Japan where they gained fans. Their second album, Higher, has more mature keyboards effects. The band has toured in Sweden and have been working to write material for the new album Majestic. The band is hoping to be touring abroad, especially in Japan.
Early 2004
There is an earlier ReinXeed from 2004, but that has nothing to do with the present lineup or the music. The actual ReinXeed is led by Tommy Johansson.Formation (2004)
The story of ReinXeed started place in a town called BodenBoden, Sweden
Boden is a locality and the seat of Boden Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 18,680 inhabitants in 2005.- History :The town of Boden started as a railway junction where the Northern Line met with the Ore Line from the rich iron ore fields in northern Sweden.The town experienced...
in the north of Sweden. ReinXeed is Tommy Johansson's musical creation and vision and finally will see the light with its debut album The Light.
Tommy Johansson started to play guitar at the age of nine after he’d seen Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
’s video “Out in the Fields
Out in the Fields
Out in the Fields: The Very Best of Gary Moore is a compilation album by Gary Moore. Released in 1998 the album encompasses a part of Moore's immense career from 1982 to 1994...
” and singing at the age of 15 when he was introduced to Skid Row's track "18 And Life
18 and Life
"18 and Life" is the second single from Skid Row's 1989 eponymous debut album.The song was to be the band's biggest hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, but only reaching No. 11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, which was previously their biggest market. It was named the 60th...
". His days of soft rock
Soft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
were over when he first heard Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
and Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
.
After some years in a music school, Tommy had become more of a "all man musician" who could play almost everything: decent guitar, piano, singing, drums, bass guitar and also flute. His songwriting had of course developed to a more advanced level.
In 2006, he decided that movie soundtracks
Soundtracks
Soundtracks may refer to:* The plural of soundtrack* Soundtracks * Soundtracks , an album by Tony Banks of Genesis...
mixed with melodic power metal
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...
would be very cool music to compose and record. He got his own studio together, started to record these songs again with a better quality, and put them up on his MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
site. By doing that, Daniel Eskilsson drummer and band leader of the Swedish melodic power metal band Majestic Vanguard
Majestic Vanguard
Majestic Vanguard is a Swedish Christian progressive power metal band. The band was founded in Falköping 2005.-History:An early version of the group first formed when drummer Daniel Eskilsson met bassist Andreas Andersson and his brother, keyboardist Samuel Andersson in 1993...
heard Tommy's songs and set him in touch with Christian Liljegren of Rivel Records
Rivel Records
Liljegren Records / CMSweden is a Swedish heavy metal music record label founded by Christian Liljegren in 1997. The label was originally titled C.L. Music and Distribution but was changed later...
/ CM Sweden. Jani Stefanovic
Jani Stefanovic
Jani Stefanovic is a guitarist and drummer born 23, May 1979. Jani started playing around the age of 13–14 years old.-Current Bands:*Divinefire*Miseration*Essence of Sorrow *Mehida *The Few Against Many*The Weakening...
from Divinefire
Divinefire
Divinefire is a Christian Symphonic Power metal group founded in the spring of 2004 by Finnish guitarist Jani Stefanovic, and Swedish singer Christian Liljegren. Liljegren is the former frontman of the band Narnia....
and Essence of Sorrow co-produced & mixed the album and handled all the drums on the album.
On The Light Johansson took on a “one man project role” in he handled just about all aspect of the recording process (similar to Matt Smith on the first Theocracy
Theocracy (band)
Theocracy is a Christian progressive power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia. The group originally started out as a one man project and all the instruments and vocals done on the debut album Theocracy were performed by Smith. The current lineup includes Smith along with...
album). Higher, however, finds the artist backed by a full piece band in that he has recruited two guitarist (Kerry Lundberg & Mattias Johansson), a keyboardist (Henrik Fellermark), drummer (Erik Forsgren) and bassist (Ace Thunder). Needless to say, the overall performance is impressive.
The Light (2008)
Reinxeed began to record their first studio album entitled The Light, released March 12 in Japan, June 20 in Europe, via Rivel RecordsRivel Records
Liljegren Records / CMSweden is a Swedish heavy metal music record label founded by Christian Liljegren in 1997. The label was originally titled C.L. Music and Distribution but was changed later...
. On the debut album the musical inspiration came from Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
, every album between 1983-89, Angra
Angra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
- Rebirth
Rebirth (Angra album)
Rebirth is the fourth album by Angra, the first since a major restructuring of the band's line-up.-Track listing:#"In Excelsis" - 1:03#"Nova Era" - 4:52...
, Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
- Destiny
Destiny (Stratovarius album)
Destiny is the seventh studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1998 through Noise Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto – vocals*Timo Tolkki – guitar, engineering, production...
, Episode
Episode (album)
Episode is the fifth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1996 through Noise Records. This is the first recording to feature keyboardist Jens Johansson and drummer Jörg Michael, who would form part of the band's most stable line-up for nine years.-Track...
, Visions
Visions (Stratovarius album)
Visions is the sixth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1997 through Noise Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto – vocals*Timo Tolkki – guitar, background vocals, mastering, production...
, Infinite
Infinite (Stratovarius album)
Infinite is the eighth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 2000 through Nuclear Blast.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto – vocals*Timo Tolkki – guitar, engineering, production*Jens Johansson – keyboard...
. Robby Valentine
Robby Valentine
Robby Valentine is a Dutch singer and multi-instrumentalist who started his professional career in the eighties, and is the frontman of his band Valentine.-Biography:...
- everything he’s ever done, Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
- Odyssey
The Odyssey (album)
The Odyssey is the sixth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X. It was the first to be recorded entirely at guitarist Michael Romeo's home studio. The fourth track, "Accolade II," is a sequel to "The Accolade" from The Divine Wings of Tragedy. The album is heavily influenced by the...
and Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, & Keeper of the Seven Keys
Keeper of the Seven Keys
Keeper of the Seven Keys is a four-part album series by Helloween, composed of the band's second, third, and eleventh full-length studio albums and their latest live album.- Part 1 :...
1 & 2.
The ReinXeed concept story of The Light:
“This is a story between good and evil, where greed and power are united to conquer both sides into one dark place. “ReinXeed – The Light” is a story of the real life we live today, but summarized into metaphors in a story of two kingdoms, Reindhill and Heelh. Once they were united as one, God had sent them a flower to grow called Langarin who had a healing divine power and were used for good only. But greed fell over the land of Heelh and they lay claim to the Langarin, and the harmony between them ended in silence. Reindhill got the quest from God to retain the goodness and restore the line between good and evil, for the prophecy of a perfect world had to be...” Tommy Johansson
The Light can best be described as melodic power metal
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...
with the occasional symphonic tendency. Fans of Royal Hunt
Royal Hunt
Royal Hunt is a progressive metal band based in Denmark, founded in 1989 by keyboardist Andre Andersen. The band is known for creating melodic music with a progressive and symphonic flair. They made a huge success during mid-90s with their classic albums Moving Target and Paradox mainly in Japan...
, Avantasia
Avantasia
Avantasia is a heavy metal project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist and frontman of the band Edguy. The project's title is a portmanteau of the words "avalon" and "fantasia" and describes "a world beyond human imagination"...
and Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
will find a lot to like here as will those into Theocracy
Theocracy (band)
Theocracy is a Christian progressive power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia. The group originally started out as a one man project and all the instruments and vocals done on the debut album Theocracy were performed by Smith. The current lineup includes Smith along with...
, Narnia
Narnia (band)
Narnia is a Christian neo-classical progressive power metal band founded by guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark and singer Christian Liljegren. The band formed in Sweden in 1996. Their album themes heavily reference The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis....
, Essence of Sorrow and Majestic Vanguard
Majestic Vanguard
Majestic Vanguard is a Swedish Christian progressive power metal band. The band was founded in Falköping 2005.-History:An early version of the group first formed when drummer Daniel Eskilsson met bassist Andreas Andersson and his brother, keyboardist Samuel Andersson in 1993...
. Up-tempo numbers such as “The Light” (as fast a song as you will find), melodic based “Great Hall Of ReinXeed” and keyboard driven “Eternity” are as good as it gets. Of equal merit are more progressive based pieces “Northern Sky” and “Kingdom Fall” along with the shredding instrumental “Heavenly Fire”.
Higher (2009)
HigherHigher (Reinxeed album)
-Track listing:# Haunted Mansion # Star Shine # Magic Still Remains # Dragonfly # Higher # Always Be There # Reality # Light of the World # Fantasia # Heaven - Album line-up:...
was released via Rivel Records on 15, May 2009, and in Japan via King Records on 25, March 2009 including a bonus track "Dreams". Angelicwarlord.com found the audio mix of Higher to be cleaner in comparison to The Light with a "near perfect" mix of guitar leads, drums and keyboards. One criticism was the lack of "an all out element of aggression", with the rhythm guitar sometimes lost in the mix: "There [are] portions of several songs in which all you hear are keyboards and drums, leaving one almost begging for some guitar driven muscle."
Majestic (2010)
This album has been released worldwide. It's the third album of this power metal band.1912 (2011)
1912 is their fourth album. It is a concept album about the Titanic and its sinking. The Japanese edition includes three bonus track: "ReinXeed Alliance", "Aces High" (an Iron MaidenIron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
cover) and "Pray for Japan", a song done to support Japan in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
.
Band members
- Tommy Johansson - vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass guitar & orchestration
- Mattias Johansson - Guitar and backing vocals
- Calle Sundberg - Guitar and Backing Vocals
- Nic Svensson - Bass guitar
- Viktor Olofsson - Drums
Musical style and influences
ReinXeed's style is symphonic metal with a clean vocal and melodic symphonies. The band cite their influences as Robby ValentineRobby Valentine
Robby Valentine is a Dutch singer and multi-instrumentalist who started his professional career in the eighties, and is the frontman of his band Valentine.-Biography:...
, Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
- Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween, from 1986 to 1993. From 1996 up to 2009, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, while he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist...
, Edguy
Edguy
-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
, Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
, Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
- Skid Row, and movie soundtracks such as (Lord of the Rings), Time Machine
Time Machine
A time machine is a fictional/hypothetical device used to achieve time travel. The term may also refer to:-Novels and films:* The Time Machine, an 1895 novel by H. G...
, Stargate
Stargate (film)
Stargate is a 1994 American adventure-military science fiction film released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Carolco Pictures. Created by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, the film is the first release in the Stargate franchise...
and Hook
Hook (film)
Hook is a 1991 American fantasy film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, and features Maggie Smith, Caroline Goodall, Charlie Korsmo, Amber Scott, and Dante Basco. Hook acts as a sequel to Peter Pan's original adventures, focusing...
.
Discography
- The Light (2008)
- HigherHigher (Reinxeed album)-Track listing:# Haunted Mansion # Star Shine # Magic Still Remains # Dragonfly # Higher # Always Be There # Reality # Light of the World # Fantasia # Heaven - Album line-up:...
(2009) - Majestic (2010)
- 1912 (2011)