Nils Patrick Johanssen to Lion's Share

[Wyvern]

Swedish melodic heavy metal masters LION'S SHARE have announced the addition of singer Patrik Johansson (ASTRAL DOORS) to the group's ranks. Johansson and the rest of the current LION'S SHARE lineup — which includes mainman Lars Chriss (guitar), and recent addition Sampo Axelsson (bass; ex-GLENN HUGHES, CRAWLEY) — are currently writing material for a fifth album to be released sometime during 2006. The songs written so far are being described as "heavier and more straight-ahead with tons of energy and attitude."

In a statement confirming his addition to the LION'S SHARE lineup, Johansson writes, "Lars Chriss called me up about two years ago and asked if I was interested in joining LION'S SHARE. I felt honored, of course, and didn't need any second thoughts; LION'S SHARE is, for me, one of the institutions in the metal business. From that moment, me, Lars and now also Sampo, have been working with the songwriting for the next album. Now, finally, we have started the demo recordings and the result so far is goddamn amazing!

"Some of you may know that I've done a couple of things the last two or three years: SPACE ODYSSEY, WUTHERING HEIGHTS and ASTRAL DOORS.

"I want to make one thing perfectly clear: SPACE ODYSSEY and WUTHERING HEIGHTS are like session jobs to me. My two main bands are ASTRAL DOORS and LION'S SHARE. Make no mistake about that!

"I hope, and truly believe, that this new mark in the great career of LION'S SHARE will appeal to the old fans and bring a lot of new ones as well. See you on the road!"

I hope that anyway Nils doesn't let WH and SO go astray I love his vocal talents anywhere and therefore I will follow him to LS too.

 

[Fangface]

I'm not sure that he'll stay forever with WH (and SO) unfortunately, just imagine if Astral Doors and WH want to tour at the same time of the year...

Also I don't know if you've checked Astral Doors website lately but now they've got a blog with ramblings from Patrik and the guys

http://blog.biosocket.com/diary.php?id=evil


I particularly like this post

Open "letter" to Ronnie James Dio.

Mr. Dio has recently talked about Astral Doors in some interviews.

The man himself said in a radio-interview with Hairball John that he
knows of our band very well; that he likes our songwriting and that
he's glad that there are bands out there, trying to carry on his style.

He also added that there can be only one original!

Very wise words from the master. We totally agree. We have never seen
ourselves as copycats of Dio.

Astral Doors is a band inspired by and in the same category as classic bands
like Dio, yes, but even though our music is similar, we hope that we have
developed our own style within the same area.

Astral Doors are defenders of a style: We prefer to call it "classic hard rock".
Not many new bands performe this kind of music.

Finally:
-The members of Astral Doors are proud that you Mr.Dio even know that we exist and we would like to thank you for all the great music you've given, and still give, to the world!

Thank you Ronnie!

/Astral Doors

 

[Wyvern]

Great post Fang, that's class indeed. We can couple that one to the Dio vrs Ozzy thread

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Haven't heard Space Odyssey or Lion's Share, but I love Nils vocals. Astral Doors is one of my fave bands and that Wuthering Heights album he sang on is probably going to land on my "top-10 metal albums of all time" list. The man is incredible.

It's great he acknowledges his Astral Doors connection with RJD, and that the black dwarf actually appreciates what they are doing instead of being offended. Just goes to show how cool Dio is.

Oh, and finally, to Wyvern: Rock Goddess? Are you serious? I've got Hell Hath No Fury and it's one of my secret joys of the 80's.

 

[Fangface]

Haven't heard Space Odyssey or Lion's Share, but I love Nils vocals. Astral Doors is one of my fave bands and that Wuthering Heights album he sang on is probably going to land on my "top-10 metal albums of all time" list. The man is incredible.

It's in my top 10 albums of the last few years too

 

[JonnyD]

I'm not sure that he'll stay forever with WH (and SO) unfortunately, just imagine if Astral Doors and WH want to tour at the same time of the year...

Thats one of the nice things about WH you could say ... They have only played 2-4 shows in their entire carrier and as far as I know they havnt done any since Progpower V last year ....... "Far from the Madding Crowd" is definately in my top 10 from the past 10 years

 

[Wyvern]

Haven't heard Space Odyssey or Lion's Share, but I love Nils vocals. Astral Doors is one of my fave bands and that Wuthering Heights album he sang on is probably going to land on my "top-10 metal albums of all time" list. The man is incredible.

It's great he acknowledges his Astral Doors connection with RJD, and that the black dwarf actually appreciates what they are doing instead of being offended. Just goes to show how cool Dio is.

Oh, and finally, to Wyvern: Rock Goddess? Are you serious? I've got Hell Hath No Fury and it's one of my secret joys of the 80's.

Please do check SO, I'm sure you'll like it, especially the debut album. As for WH I agree with everyone FFTMC is an excelent jewel, a great folk/metal album, and one of my faves of the last few years.

Rock Goddess? Sure, they're really good sadly I only could find the debut, nothing like NWOBHM

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Cool, I had no idea there were so many FFtMC fans here! Hardly anyone ever mentions Wuthering Heights. I turned alot of people onto WH while I was on vacation. Of course, it got plenty of tray time inside my truck while I was mountain jaunting! There's just nothing like listening to "Longing for the Woods" when you're actually IN THE WOODS.

I'll keep an eye out for SO, Wyv. And you can still get the second Rock Goddess on Amazon (it's way better than the first IMO).

 

[Wyvern]

Cool, I had no idea there were so many FFtMC fans here! Hardly anyone ever mentions Wuthering Heights. I turned alot of people onto WH while I was on vacation. Of course, it got plenty of tray time inside my truck while I was mountain jaunting! There's just nothing like listening to "Longing for the Woods" when you're actually IN THE WOODS.

I'll keep an eye out for SO, Wyv. And you can still get the second Rock Goddess on Amazon (it's way better than the first IMO).

Thanks for the hint, I seldom check Amazon (usually too expensive comapred to CD Universe).

As for 'Longing for the Woods' :hotjump: :hotjump: :hotjump: , indeed is great for hiking...hmmm, I should use it in the gym tomorrow, thanks for the idea TSO

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Yeah, I reckon that whole album would be great to work out to. I know it always makes me want to dance. :hotjump:

 

[Mxgonzo]

I thought I was the only one who dug Wuthering Heights. They completely blew me away at PPV last year year. Fantastic live band for sure. It's a shame that they are more of a studio band because I could see them do a lot more if would just get out and tour.
Unfortunately, I've never heard any Astral Doors so I'll have to check them out.

 

[Walter_Langkowski]

"Evil Is Forever" by AD is fucking awesome! Great cover too!

 

[Wyvern]

"Evil Is Forever" by AD is fucking awesome! Great cover too!

It is very good indeed, long time no see ya Walt.

 

[Bryant]

That's cool !! I like NPJ. I also dig WH. Cool band.


Bryant

 

[JonnyD]

I thought I was the only one who dug Wuthering Heights. They completely blew me away at PPV last year year. Fantastic live band for sure. It's a shame that they are more of a studio band because I could see them do a lot more if would just get out and tour.
Unfortunately, I've never heard any Astral Doors so I'll have to check them out.

Man they were fuckin awsome at PPV!!! Bryant and I were completely blown away by them! and it was amazing that it was only like the 2nd or 3rd show they had ever played I cant wait to hear something new from them!!! and it would definately be cool to see em again! Kilts and all!!!

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Wuthering Heights wore KILTS? On stage? Oh, that's just too cool.

 

[Bryant]

Wuthering Heights wore KILTS? On stage? Oh, that's just too cool.

The bass player did. They were excellent live. I like that folky style metal. I have been meaning to pick up that disc and keep forgetting. After seeing these reviews, I'll move it back toward the top of my "to buy" list.


Bryant

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Kilts or no kilts, I'm surprised they can pull it off in concert. That album has so many layers and is sooo tight. Can't be easy to reproduce in a live setting. Seems to be unanimous that they just plain kicked ass at PP last year, so I guess they've figured it out.

NP: Symphorce - Godspeed

 

[Bryant]

Kilts or no kilts, I'm surprised they can pull it off in concert. That album has so many layers and is sooo tight. Can't be easy to reproduce in a live setting. Seems to be unanimous that they just plain kicked ass at PP last year, so I guess they've figured it out.

NP: Symphorce - Godspeed

They did. I was completely unfamiliar with their material when I saw them as was JD. However, after the first song, I looked at him and said "these guys are good !" and he agreed. They weren't the "best" band at PPV, but they were my "surprise" band. Their style of music doesn't really have that "fist pumping" style as does Brainstorm and Tad Morose, and they didn't have the stage moves as them nor would it fit their style, but they sounded as good as any band. Then again, WHO has the stage presence of MR. Breed ?


Bryant

 

[JonnyD]

They did. I was completely unfamiliar with their material when I saw them as was JD. However, after the first song, I looked at him and said "these guys are good !" and he agreed. They weren't the "best" band at PPV, but they were my "surprise" band. Their style of music doesn't really have that "fist pumping" style as does Brainstorm and Tad Morose, and they didn't have the stage moves as them nor would it fit their style, but they sounded as good as any band. Then again, WHO has the stage presence of MR. Breed ?


Bryant

its hard to Compare Mr.Breed to NPJ hahaha NPJ looks like the Hunchback of Notre Dame for crying out loud hahahahaha and when you watch their video and interview on the PPV dvd its hard to believe that voice comes out of that man ... They had alot of fun and I do hope to see them again at Progpower ... the same goes for Brainstorm and Tad Morose ... though Urban being there will be a givin hahaha but I would really like to See Andy B. Frank at PP again! ... but YEAH we were both just Blown away by WH they were awsome hahaha our Jaws Dropped in Unison