List of Soilwork band members
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Soilwork are a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. Formed in 1995, the group originally consisted of vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid, guitarists Peter Wichers and Ludvig Svartz, bassist Carl-Gustav Döös, and drummer Jimmy Persson. The sole constant member is Strid, who is joined in the current lineup by keyboardist Sven Karlsson (since 2001), guitarist Sylvain Coudret (since 2008), drummer Bastian Thusgaard (since 2016), bassist Rasmus Ehrnborn (since 2022) and guitarist Simon Johansson (since 2023).
History
[edit]Soilwork formed in late 1995,[1] originally under the name Inferior Breed.[2] The band's initial lineup featured vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid, guitarists Peter Wichers and Ludvig Svartz, bassist Carl-Gustav Döös, and drummer Jimmy Persson,[3] although Döös left before the band had recorded.[4] After releasing their first demo In Dreams We Fall into the Eternal Lake, the band were joined by new bassist Ola Flink and their first keyboardist Carlos Holmberg for the recording of their debut album, Steelbath Suicide.[5] Svartz and Persson were subsequently replaced by Ola Frenning and Henry Ranta, respectively, for the recording of 1999's The Chainheart Machine and 2001's A Predator's Portrait.[6] Just before the recording of the band's fourth album Natural Born Chaos in late 2001, Holmberg was replaced by Sven Karlsson.[3]
In June 2003, shortly after the release of Figure Number Five, Ranta left Soilwork to "dedicate more time to his personal life".[7] He was replaced for the rest of the year by Richard Evensand,[8] who toured with the group until leaving in January 2004 to join Chimaira.[9] He was replaced the next month by Dirk Verbeuren, initially on a temporary basis, before he became a full-time member in December 2005.[10] The new lineup released Stabbing the Drama in early 2005, before Wichers left that December, claiming that he was "worn out from all the touring".[11] The guitarist was replaced for a string of European festival appearances in spring and summer 2006 by Daniel Antonsson,[12] and later for shows in the UK in September by Andreas Holma.[13] A third guitarist was trialled during shows in the US towards the end of the year,[13] before Antonsson took over permanently in time for the recording of Sworn to a Great Divide in early 2007.[14] Also in the summer, Peter Wildoer had been forced to substitute for Verbeuren for a few shows.[15]
In February 2008, the band announced they had parted ways with Frenning, claiming that he "resisted the demands of the road and found it difficult to come to terms with the amount of touring scheduled".[16] For shows following the lineup change, Frenning was temporarily replaced by David Andersson followed by Sylvain Coudret.[17][18] That September, the band announced the return of Peter Wichers, who took his place in the lineup back from Antonsson, with Coudret taking Frenning's place on a permanent basis at the same time.[19] The new lineup released The Panic Broadcast in 2010, before Wichers left for a second time in June 2012 due to "creative differences".[20] He was replaced by David Andersson, who had filled in for Wichers during a string of shows in the spring of 2011 (which eventually led to his departure).[21]
With new guitarist Andersson, Soilwork released The Living Infinite in 2013 and Beyond the Infinite in 2014, before announcing the departure of Flink after 18 years in June 2015.[22] He was replaced for the tour in promotion of The Ride Majestic by Markus Wilbom.[23] The following July, Verbeuren also left Soilwork to take over as Megadeth's drummer, with Bastian Thusgaard taking over in a touring capacity.[24] He became a permanent member in April 2017.[25] In January 2017, Taylor Nordberg took over from Wibom on bass,[26] who had left late the previous year to focus on "other commitments".[27] The band's 11th album Verkligheten followed in 2019, before Rasmus Ehrnborn joined as their first full-time bassist since 2015 in January 2022.[28] Ehrnborn debuted on Övergivenheten, which was released in August 2022.[29]
In September 2022, David Andersson died aged 47.[30] The following March, Soilwork announced their return with new guitarist Simon Johansson, who had filled in for Andersson at shows since 2019.[31]
Members
[edit]Current
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Björn "Speed" Strid | 1995–present | lead vocals | all Soilwork releases | |
| Sven Karlsson | 2001–present | keyboards | all Soilwork releases from Natural Born Chaos (2002) onwards, except The Early Chapters (2004) | |
| Sylvain Coudret | 2008–present (touring 2008) | guitars | all Soilwork releases from The Panic Broadcast (2010) onwards | |
| Bastian Thusgaard | 2017–present (touring 2016–17) |
|
all Soilwork releases from Verkligheten (2019) onwards | |
| Rasmus Ehrnborn | 2022–present |
|
Övergivenheten (2022) | |
| Simon Johansson | 2023–present (touring 2019–23) | guitars | none to date |
Former
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Wichers |
|
|
| |
| Ludvig Svartz | 1995–1998 | guitars |
| |
| Jimmy "Judas" Persson | drums | |||
| Carl-Gustav Döös | 1995–1997 | bass | none | |
| Ola Flink | 1997–2015 | all Soilwork releases from Steelbath Suicide (1998) to Live in the Heart of Helsinki (2015) | ||
| Carlos Holmberg | 1997–2001 | keyboards |
| |
| Ola Frenning | 1998–2008 | guitars | all Soilwork releases from The Chainheart Machine (1999) to Sworn to a Great Divide (2007) | |
| Henry Ranta | 1998–2003 | drums | all Soilwork releases from The Chainheart Machine (1999) to The Early Chapters (2004) | |
| Richard Evensand | 2003–2004 | none | ||
| Dirk Verbeuren | 2004–2016 | all Soilwork releases from Stabbing the Drama (2005) to The Ride Majestic (2015) | ||
| Daniel Antonsson | 2007–2008 (touring 2006) | guitars | Sworn to a Great Divide (2007) | |
| David Andersson | 2012–2022 (touring 2008, 2011; died 2022) |
|
all Soilwork releases from The Living Infinite (2013) to Övergivenheten (2022) | |
| Markus Wibom | 2015–2017 (touring only) | bass | none | |
| Taylor Nordberg | 2017–2022 (touring only) |
|
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Stand-ins
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Wildoer | 2006 | drums | Wildoer filled in for Dirk Verbeuren at three shows in the summer of 2006 due to "increased flight costs".[15] | |
| Andreas Holma | guitars | Holma performed a string of shows in the UK while the band was auditioning for Peter Wichers' replacement.[13] | ||
| Morten Løwe Sørensen | 2008 | drums | Sørensen filled in for Dirk Verbeuren at two shows in Estonia and Latvia in February 2008 due to "visa issues".[32] |
Timeline
[edit]
Lineups
[edit]| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–1997 (as Inferior Breed until 1996) |
|
none |
| 1997 |
|
|
| 1997–1998 |
|
|
| Late 1998–late 2001 |
|
|
| Late 2001–June 2003 |
|
|
| June 2003–January 2004 |
|
none |
| February 2004–December 2005 |
|
|
| March–August 2006 |
|
none |
| September 2006 |
| |
| October–November 2006 |
| |
| Early 2007–February 2008 |
|
|
| February–April 2008 |
|
none |
| May–August 2008 |
| |
| September 2008–June 2012 |
|
|
| June 2012–June 2015 |
|
|
| June 2015–July 2016 |
|
|
| July 2016–January 2017 |
|
none |
| January 2017–January 2022 |
|
|
| January–September 2022 |
|
|
| March 2023–present |
|
none to date |
References
[edit]- ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Soilwork Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ Roman the Maniac (June 2002). "Soilwork Interview". MetalKings.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Soilwork interview (10/2003)". Metal Storm. October 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ Rhode, Jason (8 September 2015). "Soilwork — The Ride Majestic (Album Review)". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork — Steelbath Suicide". MetalMusicArchives.com. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ Bromley, Adrian (13 March 2001). "Predators for Pain: CoC interviews Bjorn Strid of Soilwork". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ "Drummer Henry Ranta Quits Soilwork!". Blabbermouth.net. 4 June 2003. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Announce New Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. 11 June 2003. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Former Soilwork Drummer Explains Decision To Join Chimaira". Blabbermouth.net. 8 January 2004. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Dirk Verbeuren Interview". Sick Drummer Magazine. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Part Ways With Guitarist". KNAC. 11 December 2005. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Announce New Guitarist". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 9 May 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Soilwork Vocalist Discusses Guitarist Situation". Blabbermouth.net. 30 September 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Add Second Guitarist From Dimension Zero". metalunderground.com. 5 March 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Darkane Issue Statement Regarding Drummer Playing Festival Shows With Soilwork". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Parts Ways With Guitarist Ola Frenning". Blabbermouth.net. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork: New Audio Interview With Sven Karlsson Available". Blabbermouth.net. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Guitarist Peter Wichers Rejoins Soilwork". Blabbermouth.net. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Neilstein, Vince (19 September 2008). "Best News Ever: Peter Wichers Back In Soilwork!". MetalSucks. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Neilstein, Vince (26 June 2012). "Peter Wichers Quits Soilwork... Again!". MetalSucks. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Neilstein, Vince (29 June 2012). "Exclusive Interview: Soilwork's Dirk Verbeuren Speaks On Split With Peter Wichers". MetalSucks. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Ola Flink Leaves Soilwork". The Metalist. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Munro, Scott (17 June 2015). "Soilwork recruit bassist Markus Wibom". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Shrum, Tony (16 July 2016). "Dirk Verbeuren Leaves Soilwork To Join Megadeth As Full Time Drummer". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (20 April 2017). "Soilwork Gains New Drummer After Dirk Verbeuren Left For Megadeth". Metal Injection. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Recruits Bassist Taylor Nordberg For European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork: Second Studio Webisode For New Album". Blabbermouth.net. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Announces New Bassist Rasmus Ehrnborn". Blabbermouth.net. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Moore, Theron (17 May 2022). "News: Soilwork's New Album 'Övergivenheten' Out August 19". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ Roche, Sam (15 September 2022). "Soilwork guitarist David Andersson dies aged 47". Guitar World. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Welcomes Guitarist Simon Johansson As New Permanent Member". Blabbermouth.net. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "Soilwork Drummer Forced To Sit Out Estonia, Latvia Dates". Blabbermouth.net. 18 February 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2024.