Ragne Wahlquist’s memorial service in Stockholm last month was nothing short of momentous, carrying the gravity of a state funeral, complete with a distinguished guest list. Known as Sweden’s first true rock star, Wahlquist spent nearly 50 years leading the heavy metal institution Heavy Load, a band widely regarded as the country’s first metal group. His passing on January 2, just weeks shy of his 70th birthday, left a significant void in the music scene that he, alongside his brother and bandmate Styrbjörn Wahlquist, helped shape in the late 1970s. Heavy Load’s pioneering efforts played a key role in Sweden’s emergence as a global metal hub, a reputation that continues to this day. While another group might have eventually started a heavy metal band in Sweden, it was Ragne and Styrbjörn who had the vision and courage to be first.
Heavy Load’s debut album, Full Speed At High Level, released in November 1978, arrived in the midst of ABBA’s reign on the charts. A far cry from ABBA’s infectious pop tunes, Full Speed was a bluesy, riff-driven album inspired by the Wahlquist brothers’ love for Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. While rough around the edges, the album signaled the band’s future direction, displaying the roots of a classicist sound that would later distinguish them from their influences. The album’s most notable contribution may be its adaptation of the heavy metal aesthetic into a distinctly Swedish style. Notably, Full Speed’s final track, “Son Of The Northern Light,” introduced Norse mythology and Viking themes that would become staples of Scandinavian metal long before Bathory’s Blood Fire Death in 1988. While not a mainstream success, Full Speed At High Level made a lasting impression on Sweden’s hard rock scene, which until then had relied heavily on UK and US music for its heavy metal fix.
In the early 1980s, the band released a trilogy of albums that solidified their legacy: Metal Conquest (1981), Death Or Glory (1982), and Stronger Than Evil (1983). The sound of Full Speed At High Level evolved into a more assertive and confident heavy metal thunder. Ragne’s vocals grew stronger, and his synergy with his new co-guitarist, Eddy Malm, resulted in a memorable melodic partnership. Meanwhile, Styrbjörn’s drumming became increasingly powerful, and the Wahlquists’ cousin, Torbjörn Ragnesjö, added groovy bass lines that anchored the band’s music. Although the local metal scene in Sweden was still in its infancy, Heavy Load performed with a larger-than-life attitude, staging unforgettable shows complete with homemade pyrotechnics and explosions.
While Metal Conquest and Stronger Than Evil are both highly regarded, Death Or Glory stands out as the band’s signature album. With anthems like “Heavy Metal Angels (In Metal And Leather),” “Bleeding Streets,” and “The Guitar Is My Sword,” the album became a cult classic, revered by those in the know. Its enduring appeal is evident, even today, as its influence is still felt in the global metal community. In fact, the power metal scenes in the US and Germany likely wouldn’t have developed the way they did without the groundwork laid by Heavy Load’s 1980s catalog.
After Stronger Than Evil, Heavy Load encountered challenges. A mainstream breakthrough never materialized, and the band remained an underground sensation outside Sweden. Contrary to widespread belief, Heavy Load never officially disbanded. The Wahlquist brothers turned their focus to Thunderload Studios in Stockholm, where they produced albums for legends like Candlemass, Morbid (with Mayhem’s Dead), and Yngwie Malmsteen. They continued to write music for Heavy Load, but it would be four decades before they released Riders Of The Ancient Storm, a true follow-up to Stronger Than Evil. At the time of Ragne’s death, the brothers were working on a fifth Heavy Load album, which Styrbjörn plans to complete and release.
Following Ragne’s passing, tributes flooded in from generations of Swedish musicians who followed in his footsteps. Michael Amott of Arch Enemy referred to him as “a pioneer,” while Candlemass bassist Leif Edling shared his sorrow, describing Ragne as both a “wonderful person and musician.” Tobias Forge of Ghost, Sweden’s most prominent metal star, was among those who mourned Ragne at his funeral.
One of the most touching tributes came from Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth, who had become close to the Wahlquist brothers in recent years. He reminisced about listening to the rough mixes of Riders Of The Ancient Storm at Thunderload, savoring cinnamon rolls and coffee as the first Heavy Load album in 40 years played. For Åkerfeldt, a Stockholm-born music enthusiast, the moment was surreal and unforgettable. He shared, “It was awesome to the point of absurdity. The brothers were so proud (as they should be). They treated me with such respect and warmth that day (and every other time we met). I will never forget it.”
At Ragne’s funeral, Åkerfeldt and Opeth bandmate Fredrik Åkesson were invited to perform “The Guitar Is My Sword.” Their rendition, as shared through leaked snippets, carries an emotional weight, reminding all who listened of the immense power and legacy Ragne’s guitar had. His music lives on in bands like Opeth, Ghost, and Arch Enemy—groups who have reached far more fans than Heavy Load ever did. For that reason, Ragne’s legacy is eternal.
Today, many young Swedish metal bands are dedicated to carrying on Heavy Load’s sonic legacy. Tyrann and Century, both from Stockholm, have garnered critical acclaim and continue to lead the metal scene. Century even toured America, something Heavy Load never managed to do in Ragne’s lifetime. Tyrann’s song “Don’t Make Fashion Of Our Heavy Metal Passion” feels like an homage to the spirit of Heavy Load, a title that resonates deeply with fans of the band.
Former Lethal Steel vocalist Viktor Gustafsson, now leading the project Watcher from Skövde, has cited Heavy Load as a profound influence. Watcher’s recent EP, Glory Or Agony, evokes the spirit of Death Or Glory, consciously or unconsciously inspired by it. Gustafsson shared, “Heavy Load has meant a great deal to me. Stronger Than Evil was one of the first records I ever bought, and it had an incredible impact on me. Without Heavy Load, the Swedish metal scene would not be the same. They paved the way and became a source of inspiration for so many bands. We owe so much to Ragne.”
Niklas Holm, from Wanton Attack, a metal duo from Norrköping, expressed similar admiration, stating, “Few bands can claim to be as ahead of their time as Heavy Load. In many ways, they unearthed the spirit of Swedish heavy metal and never bent to trends or time. We are proud to build on the foundation they laid.”
Heavy Load’s influence runs deep in the Swedish metal scene, even in Gothenburg’s traditional metal warriors, Helvetets Port. Tomas Ericson, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, recalled his discovery of the band’s music during his first trip to Stockholm. Listening to Metal Conquest, Death Or Glory, and Stronger Than Evil for the first time, Ericson knew instantly what kind of music he would dedicate himself to. He later wrote, “Heavy Load instilled in me a penchant for what I would best describe as ‘earnest, melancholic power’ in music. And whenever one writes music and turns to E minor, the spirit of Heavy Load is there.”
Ragne Wahlquist’s legacy lives on through the music and influence of these artists and the vibrant Swedish metal scene that continues to evolve.
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