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Since 2013, Rich “The Meister” Dillon, CGCM Podcast’s co-host and website editor has made his trek from Toronto to Solvesborg, Sweden for Sweden Rock Festival. During those annual adventures he witnesses many outstanding acts grace the five stages. Discovering young new bands, bands that he wasn’t into previously, or watching old favourites alike. Also connecting with many folks from around the world, he is a far cry from that scared lonely Canadian in 2013.
Here you will find all of his content throughout the years at Sweden Rock Festival. As well, the content of those Rich has conscripted into joining him. Friends like Shawn “Animalize” Irwin, Mikael Svensson and Ron Runyon. Originally the event coverage appeared on Decibel Geek but is now presented here in this collection.
The date is now set! On WEDNESDAY THE 27TH OF NOVEMBER 11.00 AM CET, the tickets for SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL 2020 go on sale! As they have sold out very fast the last couple of years we recommend that you mark it in your calendar. And don’t forget to tag your festival crew in the […]
Symphonic Metal has slowly gained popularity in the North American market. Yes, we had Evanescence, but for many parts around the world there was Nightwish who made their mark in the symphonic genre with their first release in 1997. From there Nightwish has gone on to be the biggest Symphonic Metal band in the world. […]
One of the perennial favorites with the Sweden Rock crowd. Saxon debuted in 1979, made it big the following year with sophomore effort Wheels of Steel, and have ever since with slight deviations delivered classic British heavy metal on 22 studio albums so far, most recently Thunderbolt (2018). Saxon‘s consistently high standard on record and […]
The Rainbow story begins in 1975, when one of the world’s biggest guitar heroes Ritchie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple for a new project. Until 1984 Rainbow is a waterhole for some of the greatest musicians in hard rock, releasing seven studio albums packed with classics like “Man on the Silver Mountain”, “Stargazer”, “Long Live Rock’n’Roll” […]
The Tunisian masters of prog metal have released four albums since 2007, most recently Legacy (2016), and number five is in the making. Being influenced by Tunisian folk music, Myrath have developed a very personal sound, sometimes referred to as “oriental metal”. The band has toured the world with the likes of Robert Plant, Dream […]
Their debut Glory to the Brave (1997) made Swedes Hammerfall spearheads of the so-called power metal movement. Subsequent releases maintained their momentum – songs like “Heeding the Call”, “Renegade” and “Hearts on Fire” have become classics and Hammerfall recognized as one of the most important bands in Swedish hard rock history. Following a couple of […]
The first time I heard Danko Jones “Bounce” I was overtaken. His sound was so different, so fresh. It had a funk to it but was also balls-out hard rock. The song used to play on the radio in the kitchen at work or in my car while I was delivering pizzas thanks to the […]
One of the most talked-about power metal projects ever was formed in 1998 by singer Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and guitarist Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth). After two lauded albums, Demons & Wizards (2000) and Touched by the Crimson King (2005), the project was put on ice indefinitely, since both main men were so busy. But […]
Sometimes it’s good to try new things. Get out of your comfort zone. I did just that at Sweden Rock 2019. All hell-bent for leather on seeing Saxon on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the festival, that plan dissipated surprisingly easy. It was suggested to me that “you’ve seen Saxon many times”. Indeed I have, […]
Guitarist Anton Kabanen got his breakthrough as a member of Battle Beast, whose first three – very successful – albums are written solely by him. Following his departure from Battle Beast in 2015 he formed Beast In Black. Teaming up with the likes of Greek vocalist supreme Yannis Papadopoulos and guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (U.D.O., Amberian […]
