Where to Start: Swedish Stoner Rock
I’ve made no secret of my Sverige fetish since starting this site (and yes, at some point there will be a Swede-only podcast), but when it comes to nailing down a scene as important to the underground heavy as the Swedish one has been, it’s hard to even know where to start this Where to Start.
Let’s be clear: I’m talking about stoner rock only. The nation of Sweden has had a tremendous impact on metal, from Kebnekajse to At the Gates to Witchcraft and Graveyard, but that’s not what I’m interested in. I’m talking about riffs, crashes, fuzz and good vibes. Swedish stoner rock.
Even so, it’s a challenge to narrow down so many killer bands to just a few essentials. If you’re looking to embark on a listening adventure through Sweden‘s contributions to the genre, you should know it’s a serious undertaking that will probably consume years of your life. I’m not kidding. Here are a few bands and albums to get you started (listed alphabetically):
Abramis Brama, Smakar Söndag: Yes, it’s in Swedish. You’ll live.
Asteroid, Asteroid: I’ve talked about this band a lot in the last year-plus. Both of their albums are amazing. Life is but a joke to Dr. Smoke.
Demon Cleaner, Demon Cleaner: One of the original post-Kyuss Swede-stoner acts. They were a little punkier, but still heavy on the riffs.
Dozer, Madre de Dios: I know people have disagreed with me in the past on this album, but it’s more or less the high water mark of Swedish stoner rock. Their later albums on Small Stone are also great.
Greenleaf, Agents of Ahriman: I rate this as one of the best albums of the last decade. If you don’t think so, listen again.
Mustasch, The True Sound of the New West: Like Grand Magus, Mustasch seems to have been able to translate underground popularity to mainstream European success. Their first EP, this predates that but shows their potential all the same.
Spiritual Beggars, Spiritual Beggars: Among the originators of modern Swedish stoner rock. Their 1994 self-titled debut is classic riffy bliss.
Truckfighters, Gravity X: I’d say start with Mania, their latest, instead, but the first album is structurally simpler and a better introduction to the band. When you’re ready to take on some stoner prog genius, then get Mania.
…So many others. The Hellacopters, Roachpowder, Blowback, The Awesome Machine, Dexter Jones’ Circus Orchestra, Dead Man on and on the list goes. And that’s not even counting the doom! Candlemass! Oh man, Sweden is awesome.
Any egregious errors on my part or unforgivable missed favorites, please leave a comment and let me know.
Tags: Sweden, Where to Start
What’s that candy got to do with anything?
sweedish fish candy lol
Now The Hellacopters were hardly a stoner band, now were they?
There isn’t to many Swedish band’s you can go wrong with. As a matter of fact, if you want to convert someone from a top 40 radio only listener to a stoner rock listener, a Swedish band is the way to go. Graveyard did it for me.
Gleucifer, not stoner but essential swedish Veni vidi vicious of the Hives, Horisont, a deathtrip of the Quill and not to forget The last adventures of captain dog of Blind dog, Sweden has much to offer
Totally agree dude ! “The last adventures of captain dog” album is an unholy masterpiece of Stoner !!!
Hah, I thought I had Swede Stoner down, looks like I have a little work to do. I am loving these posts!
…and what about LOWRIDER and MAMMOTH VOLUME ? They would definitely at the top of my list!!!
THE MUSHROOM RIVER BAND, THE GRAVIATORS and SPARZANZA are also worth a listen.
Again with the Madre de Dios, eh? Call It Conspiracy still crushes that one.
Also, Lowrider’s Ode to Io is some pretty awesome Swedish rock.
If we’re talking Swedish awesomeness slightly more wider than stoner, you’ve got to add Cult Of Luna (experimental ambient sludge) and I’d pick on “Eternal Kingdom” as the one to start with, although the last three albums have been amazing. Of all the so-called ‘post-metal’ stuff to emerge over the past decade, I’d rate Cult Of Luna amongst the best; they are awesome live too – have consistently put Isis to shame in my experience.
I’m going to Denmark later in the year and am really struggling to find great Danish stoner/doom/drone/sludge bands to check out in preparation. Any leads anyone?
Hey, I just felt that I had to point out that Lucifer Was (the first band you mention in this post) is from Norway, where I’m from. I am a friend of their mainman, Thore Engen (guitars/vocals), their bassplayer (Einar Bruu) and their guitarplayer (Andreas Engen, son of Thore Engen), and I don’t think they would look too kindly on being labeled as swedes. Norwegians and swedes tend to have a love/hate relationship, hehe. But a great post, keep up the good work!
P.S.
Mathieu v/d Hert:
If you’re thinking about Gluecifer, they are also norwegians! Be sure to check out the guitarplayers (Captain Poon) new band, Bloodlights!
You’re absolutely right, thank you for pointing out the error. I was thinking of Transubstans, the label that has reissued some Lucifer Was albums, which is based in Sweden. Apologies for the confusion. Replaced them in the post with Kebnekajse, hope that works better.
Killer post! Are you planning one for the Italians?
I second the vote for Italian stuff! I love these posts!
Surprisingly(’cause our faves seem very different) enough, I have to agree with you on Madre de Dios. Through the Eyes of Heathens is probably their best Small Stone album, but I think they bringt the rock more on MdD(at least from Let the Shit Roll and the 3 other songs I’ve heard from the album, I jump for joy at the recent Mc reissue news, need the fucking thin’ yesterday!
UKGuy: there aren’t many Danish stoner bands around, but here’s small list worth checking:
Sedated Angel: http://www.myspace.com/sedatedangel
Magnified Eye: http://www.myspace.com/magnifiedeye
Gas Giant (spilt up): http://www.myspace.com/157638823
Some spaced out psych jam bands:
Causa Sui: http://www.myspace.com/causasui
Øresund Space Collective: http://www.myspace.com/oresundspacecollective
I recommend Spice and the RJ Band for anyone into Swedish stoner rock. Featuring ex-frontman Spice of Spiritual beggars on guitar and vocals. Their debut, The Will, is well worth owning. Here’s from their myspace: “Spice and the RJ Band is the name of a exciting band featuring vocalist/songwriter Spice (Kayser, ex-Spiritual Beggars) and drummer Bob Ruben (Kayser, ex-The Mushroom River Band). The band released it’s debut album “The Will” in October 2007 on Scarlet Records. The band is driven by Spice’s insane passion for ‘70s psychedelic/soul/blues/hard rock sound that never disappeared during all those years. In february 2009 they released their sophomore album “Shave Your Fear”.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/spiceandtherjband#ixzz0wA8eDbyh
check out these fuckers!!!
SUMA – Burn the churches
FIRST BAND FROM OUTER SPACE
SKRAECKOEDLAN
TWIN EARTH – SOUTH OF THE BORDER
SIDEBURN
MANGROVE
MARULK
PONAMERO SUNDOWN
BRUTUS
DUNGEN
THE HIGH VISION LEAVES THE BURNING BAND
So put that in your Pipe and Hail the Northern Lights!!!
DANISH!
BABY WOODROSE
DRAGONTEARS
ON TRIAL
…
Do you forgett Space Probe Taurus ???
How about the Swedish actionstoner band Digger Burns?
http://soundcloud.com/digger-burns
http://www.myspace.com/diggerburns
Mate you are so on point about the Truckfighters Mania.
I just cant stop listening to it, its up there with (dare I say it) any Kyuss album.
Don’t forget to checkout GUDARS SKYMNING
http://www.myspace.com/gudarsskymning B-)
I dont give a shit where a band is coming from, but its a strange thing that when i look at my stoner collection, there r a lot of swedish bands in it.
Abramis Brama rules BIGTIME
You MUST listen to Truckfighters. Sweden’s finest desert rock band! http://grooveshark.com/s/Monte+Gargano/3BmThc?src=5
Also check out thier presentation video: http://www.truckfighters.com/
The best swedish stoner band today:
MAMONT
http://www.myspace.com/mamontswe
http://www.facebook.com/mamontsweden
Sweden is behind Germany the most prolific country in Europe for stoner-psych fans!
not strictly stoner but you should check this bands too: Rävjunk, Norrsken, Kamchatka, Burning Saviours and Dead Man!
ps- I think a Where to start post, like this, for other european countries is a great a idea to develop!
Don’t miss out on DÖDAREN either! Rumour says they’ve recently signed with Transubstans Records to release their recent debut album in digipack format!
http://dodaren.bandcamp.com
I’ve made a Spotify playlist with the Swedish Fuzz for those that want.
http://open.spotify.com/user/htdg/playlist/5dnD52yUNB3g70edmepyOv
Greetings from Mexico!
(unrelated from topic) but i wanted to share our first release:
Hellryde Incorporated EP (Hard/Stoner rock from Monterrey, Mexico)
http://hellrydeinc.bandcamp.com/
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, New Windsor, New York.
Recorded, Mixed and Edited by Andres Saenz, Julian Villareal and Zef Vega at LaNave Studios, Monterrey Mexico.
Hope you enjoy! /m/
Spelljammer
http://spelljammer.bandcamp.com/
Awesome band!!!
Here’s a blog specialized in Swedish heavy rock (stoner/doom in particular):
http://tung-sten.tumblr.com/
There you might discover a lot of bands in the genre with bancamp links, YT vids, artwork, info about recent releases…
Greetings from Mexico, here’s our official video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9YKIv4WoGf8
Hello! Here is my project! its a Swedish Garage/Stoner Rock Hope you guys like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeN-odvmDHk
We’re from Sweden!
Our new music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bykd_XQBnRA
Jesus Christ man! Where is LOWRIDER, the kings of swedish stoner-rock?
You have to check Kamchatka, the first 3 albums are so fuckin amazing…
fucking posers, where’s the almighty Astroqueen?
Good question. Whatever happened to those guys?
In case we’re forgotten in the mist!
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=numbah+ten
I think you might also like this little known Swedish quartet!
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dyLH2M5yzkS8cefhxxQpT
LOWRIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!