In 2007 Jimmie Strimel, the lead singer of Nightrage collaborated with songwriter Pontus Hjelm formerly of Cipher System. The two began to hone their skills through writing and sharing songs with friends and regularly playing local venues around Gothenburg. Shortly after Johan Olsson on guitar and vocals, Marcus Wesslén on bass and Alexander Svenningson on drums were added to the mix.
Dead by April’s recording debut was a 2007 self-titled demo that soon found its way on to peer-to-peer sharing websites. A year later an expanded 19-track version of the demo was released before signing with major label Universal Music in 2009. The band’s major-label recording debut came with the single “Losing You” released in 2009 and which found it’s way to the No. 1 spot in the Swedish singles chart. The single's accompanying album “Dead by April” was similarly a success reaching No. 2 in the Swedish album chart and receiving positive reviews.
After headlining the Norwegian festival ‘Rock mot Rus” in March 2010, guitarist and songwriter Pontus Hjelm announced he was departing as an official member of the band but would continue to write songs. Hjelm was replaced by singer Zandro Santiago who made his recording debut with the track “Love Like Blood”, a Killing Joke cover. Later in 2010 guitarist Johan decided he was leaving to focus on his clothing range and was replaced by Joel Nilsson.
The next released came as compilation CD entitled “Stronger” which featured a heavier and darker tone and the track “Love Like Blood”. Dead by April’s sophomore studio release was named “Incomparable”, was released in 2011 and matched the dark tones of their compilation release with their distinctive melodic metal and boyband pop. Like their debut their follow-up peaked at No. 2 in the Swedish albums chart.
Prior to “Let The World Know”, Dead by April’s third studio album Jimmie Strimell announced he had left the band and was replaced by Christoffer Andersson. The album was released in February 2014 and featured the single “As a Butterfly”.
Metal music has always been associated with the cold countries forming Scandinavia so there is constant inspiration for newer artists coming through on the circuit. One band that has managed to stand above the over saturation and make themselves heard is Swedish outfit Dead By April. With an extreme sound that is rooted back to metalcore, the group have a huge following now across Europe and can fill huge arenas with metal-heads.
Their anthemic and aggressive live performance works well as vocalists Pontus Hjelm and Christoffer Andersson face off against each other in a number of tracks whilst the audience cheers on beneath the stage. They encourage responsible moshing during 'Two Hearts' as the whole crowd starts to circle each other and the mayhem breaks out fast. Considering English is not this band's first language, you have to appreciate the lyrics that cut through the noise of the snarling guitar riffs on 'Done with Broken Hearts' and 'Dreaming'. They wind the show up in a suitably menacing manner before it culminates in a gritty performance of 'Within My Heart' as the whole audience salute with hands raised high.
sean-ward
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