Unleashed

UNLEASHED have stood as one of the most influential forces in Swedish death metal since their formation in 1989, earning their rightful place among the genre's "Big Four" alongside Entombed, Dismember, and Grave. Founded by mastermind Johnny Hedlund (vocals/bass) in Stockholm, the band has maintained an unwavering commitment to their Nordic mythology-inspired vision for over 35 years. The current lineup features Fredrik Folkare (guitar, since 1994), Anders Schultz (guitar, since 1994), and Anders "Andan" Jakobson (drums, since 2003), forming a battle-tested unit that has weathered numerous label transitions from Century Media through SPV/Steamhammer and Nuclear Blast to their current home at Napalm Records.

The band's journey began with the seminal trilogy of "Where No Life Dwells" (1991), "Shadows in the Deep" (1992), and "Across the Open Sea" (1993), establishing their signature blend of crushing death metal brutality and Viking themes. Landmark releases like "Victory" (1995) and "Warrior" (1997) cemented their status as Swedish death metal royalty, while later works such as "Odalheim" (2012) and "Dawn of the Nine" (2015) expanded their mythological universe. The Napalm Records era, beginning with "The Hunt for White Christ" (2018), has seen UNLEASHED reach new creative heights, culminating in their 15th studio album "Fire Upon Your Lands" (2025).

This latest opus continues the Odalheim saga initiated in "No Sign of Life" (2021), delivering 11 tracks of uncompromising Nordic fury. From the thunderous opening assault of "Left for Dead" to the anthemic war cry of "Hold Your Hammers High!", the album showcases Johnny Hedlund's venomous growls and the band's mastery of both blistering death metal brutality and epic, warlike melodies. UNLEASHED continue to prove that their unrelenting power, storied legacy, and unwavering dedication to their craft inspire legions of fans worldwide, making them undisputed masters of Viking-themed death metal.

Photo credit: Jens Rydén

Formation & Current Lineup

• Founded: 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden
• Current Members:
  • Johnny Hedlund - Vocals/Bass (since 1989, founding member)
  • Fredrik Folkare - Guitar (since 1994)
  • Anders Schultz - Guitar (since 1994)
  • Anders "Andan" Jakobson - Drums (since 2003)

Discography (Studio Albums)

1. "Where No Life Dwells" (1991) - Century Media
2. "Shadows in the Deep" (1992) - Century Media
3. "Across the Open Sea" (1993) - Century Media
4. "Victory" (1995) - Century Media
5. "Warrior" (1997) - Century Media
6. "Hell's Unleashed" (2002) - Century Media
7. "Sworn Allegiance" (2004) - SPV/Steamhammer
8. "Midvinterblot" (2006) - SPV/Steamhammer
9. "Hammer Battalion" (2008) - SPV/Steamhammer
10. "As Yggdrasil Trembles" (2010) - Nuclear Blast
11. "Odalheim" (2012) - Nuclear Blast
12. "Dawn of the Nine" (2015) - Nuclear Blast
13. "The Hunt for White Christ" (2018) - Napalm Records
14. "No Sign of Life" (2021) - Napalm Records
15. "Fire Upon Your Lands" (2025) - Napalm Records