WOLF Part Ways With Guitarist Johannes Axeman Losbäck

[Wyvern]

Bummer , I hope Johansson can keep with them for a time until they found a suitable replacement, as I like Memory Garden too and I wouldn't like Simon departing for Wolf permanently.

After nine years and three albums, Swedish metallers WOLF and guitarist Johannes Axeman Losbäck have parted ways.

Says Axeman: “It's with a heavy (metal) heart that I announce that I’m stepping down from my duty's in the second best band in the world; Wolf. It was a very tough and difficult decision to make since I love Wolf and heavy metal but I simply can't give Wolf 666% at this point. It's not fair to the fans, the boys or me to not give it all and I need to step down. The downward spiral of the musicbizzniss which makes bands and musicians work harder and harder and trying to survive has taken its toll on me. I'd like to thank all, and I mean ALL fans for the ride of the past nine years. I am a fan of yours so I love you all to death! Also thanx to Wolf members past and present for sharing the life and giving me the opportunity to express myself thru music. I am deeply proud and honored to have made music with you! I started my relationship with Wolf as a fan and now I get to end it as a fan. Thank you all, 666 times over and over. You WILL hear from me again! Oh... and CELTIC FROST rules!“

Niklas Stålvind (vocals, guitar and founder of Wolf) states: “On behalf of the band I would like to thank Johannes for his work in Wolf and for the many great memories and laughs since his first appearance with the band in Wacken Open Air 2002. What Johannes Axeman doesn’t know about heavy metal is not worth knowing. One episode that comes to mind is when we met legendary thrash metal band HIRAX on a festival in Germany. Hirax’s frontman Katon and Axeman started discussing metal in general and numerous bands in particular. Katon, well known for his knowledge about every underground band in the scene soon gave up, proclaiming: ‘This man is a fucking metal encyclopaedia!’ Johannes is also a natural born entertainer, always in love with the audience. One of many, many stories I remember is when we played in Nottingham and there was a drunk punk rock girl standing front row, mocking us. I tried to ignore her, but she was kind of getting on my nerves anyway. All of a sudden came Axeman with his axe in one hand and a beer in the other. The very surprised looking punk girl got the beer, and the rest of the show she was head-banging insanely with a smile on her face. He turned a punk into a metal head with a beer. Axeman is probably so metal he is even contagious. Wolf wish Johannes Axeman, the metallest man in the world, the very best in the future! May you never rust. HAIL!”

Jens Prueter (Head of A&R, Century Media Europe) says: “I don’t know many people that are more metal than Johannes Axeman. He’s a great guitarist and insane entertainer. Good memories from start to finish. The legendary video interview at Bang Your Head 2007 and the great party we had at the album release party at Die Burg in Dortmund a couple of weeks ago. In the name of Century Media, I want to thank Johannes for three amazing albums and a lot of good shows. Horns Up and hope to see you soon again Axeman!”

Axeman’s last appearance and farewell will be in the 'Skull Crusher' video from the latest album, Legions Of Bastards, that will be debuted on the covermount DVD of German Rock Hard magazine coming in stores July 20th. The video will go online shortly after Rock Hard’s street date for the legions of all non-German fans. An exact date will be announced soon.

Axeman will be replaced by Simon Johansson, who released his first album in 1995 with ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA and is nowadays playing with Mike Wead from KING DIAMOND in BIBLEBLACK and a member of the underrated Swedish doom pearl MEMORY GARDEN since 1996.

Simon already helped out Wolf in 2009 when they supported W.A.S.P. for four shows.

 

[poundingmetal74]

Very sad too see him go. I don't think the Black Flame would have been the same without him.

 

[Wyvern]

Very sad too see him go. I don't think the Black Flame would have been the same without him.

Or the last two albums for that matters. I agree with you he gave the band a solid sound. And as much as I know Wolf is Stålvind's child, I wish he could get (and keep) a stable line-up.

 

[carnut]

Sad to see him go, but I understand the reasons. Wolf was going nowhere the past 2 years or so. Haven't seen them on any major metal festival here, while they should have been headlining. Just having fun doesn't pay the bills you know......Blame the business though; there so many shitty band that are giving huge interest by record companies and media, and awesome ones that are being ignored.

 

[Wyvern]

Sad to see him go, but I understand the reasons. Wolf was going nowhere the past 2 years or so. Haven't seen them on any major metal festival here, while they should have been headlining. Just having fun doesn't pay the bills you know......Blame the business though; there so many shitty band that are giving huge interest by record companies and media, and awesome ones that are being ignored.

Big true words indeed Gert.

I think you nailed the situation perfectly, I think like you that Wolf should be bigger by now. I know my words are biased since I love the band a lot, but I sincerely feel they should be headlining tours and even festivals.

Also the business part is so true. How come they´re now on Century Media and the only place to get the CD at a decent price it's on the CMdistro (with an outrageous S&H charge)? Why not distribution through other common online sellers? How come the label expect to sold the album with bad distribution? No wonder the band finances are affected, like you pointed well.

 

[Ye Black Knight]

Fare thee well, Lord Losbäck! This knight raises his chalice in grand tribute to thee!

This post now concludeth!

 

[carnut]

Just saw Wolf live and even withouth Losbäck they still sound fu**ing awesome !!!
But again the same story; they opened for Firewind, not a bad band but not half as
good as Wolf either!! And as opener Wolf only got to play 45 minutes. The first band
that played were Dutch hardrockers Vanderbuyst. Remember that name, they can become
big with the right promotion !!! Really solid live band.
Firewind; quit good IF they don't play their uptempo happy metal stuff. Great temporarily
singer though with Mats Levén (Therion, Krux, Malmsteen...). One of the better metal
vocalists around for sure !!
Well, got myself an awesome Wolf baseball shirt, I'm happy Unfortunately I have to work next days, otherwise I surely would go and see them again !!

 

[poundingmetal74]

Wolf + Firewind?!

Personally, Carnut, I would rather see Firewind out of the two, but I absolutely love both bands (I own every record by both bands). Glad to hear Wolf is still doing well.

 

[labrekk]

Just saw Wolf live and even withouth Losbäck they still sound fu**ing awesome !!!
But again the same story; they opened for Firewind, not a bad band but not half as
good as Wolf either!! And as opener Wolf only got to play 45 minutes. The first band
that played were Dutch hardrockers Vanderbuyst. Remember that name, they can become
big with the right promotion !!! Really solid live band.
Firewind; quit good IF they don't play their uptempo happy metal stuff. Great temporarily
singer though with Mats Levén (Therion, Krux, Malmsteen...). One of the better metal
vocalists around for sure !!
Well, got myself an awesome Wolf baseball shirt, I'm happy Unfortunately I have to work next days, otherwise I surely would go and see them again !!

As much as I like Wolf, for me Firewind is the better band of the 2. Mats Leven might be an excellent singer, but you missed seeing the real thing, as the real Firewind singer is Apollo, which is killer live. I would have been disappointed if Apollo had been missing when I saw Firewind last Fall...

I'd love to hear this Vanderbuyst band...

 

[carnut]

Here you go,live clips as they sound MUCH better live than on CD)

 

[poundingmetal74]

Just had a Wolfy afternoon... listened to Evil Star right through to their latest. I wanna see these guys live so bad :Smokin:

 

[Wyvern]

Just had a Wolfy afternoon... listened to Evil Star right through to their latest. I wanna see these guys live so bad :Smokin:

Me too. I believe is one of the few bands I actually want to see live (and specially now, before more line-up changes).