Richard Andersson (born 28 March 1972) is a Swedish musician and the founder of several
neoclassical metal
Neoclassical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is heavily influenced by classical music and usually features very technical playing,Stephan Forté, "Metal néoclassique" in ''Guitarist Magazine Pedago'', Hors Série #29, "Les secrets du m ...
bands in Sweden including
Majestic and
Time Requiem
Time Requiem is a Swedish neoclassical power metal band created by Richard Andersson in 2001.[Time Requiem]
" Encyc ...
.
Biography
As a kid, Andersson taught himself how to play the keyboard. At the age of seven, he was already able to play a lot of work from
Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition and proficiency from an early age ...
and other classical music icons. In the 20 years that followed, he developed an own style that was a mix between classical music and heavy metal. He found himself more and more often writing songs as well.
In 1998 he created his first project
Majestic and the first album was released in 1999, called ''Abstract Symphony''. In 2000, ''Trinity Overture'' followed. The band also did a tour in Japan and was the support act of bands like the
Pretty Maids
Pretty Maids is a Danish Heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Horsens. Formed in 1981 by Ken Hammer, and completed with Ronnie Atkins in 1982, their sound and music can be described as classic guitar-laden heavy rock with a strong emphasis ...
and
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1994, the band consists of guitarist Michael Romeo, keyboardist Michael Pinnella, drummer Jason Rullo, lead vocalist Russell Allen and bassist Michael ...
.
He played keyboards for the French
progressive metal
Progressive metal (often shortened to prog metal) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal music, heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified electric guitar, guitar-driven sound of the former with t ...
band
Adagio on their debut album ''
Sanctus Ignis
''Sanctus Ignis'' is the debut album by French progressive/neoclassical metal band Adagio, released on 8 May 2001 in France by Nothing to Say and in Europe by Limb Music.
Track listing
Reception
''Sanctus Ignis'' was well received by ...
'' in 2002, recording solo sections.
When – according to himself – Andersson was unable to continue to work with his businesspartners, he stopped with the Majestic-project. Together with some of the former bandmembers from Majestic, a new band was formed called
Time Requiem
Time Requiem is a Swedish neoclassical power metal band created by Richard Andersson in 2001.[Time Requiem]
" Encyc ...
. The album that wore the name ''
Time Requiem
Time Requiem is a Swedish neoclassical power metal band created by Richard Andersson in 2001.[Time Requiem]
" Encyc ...
'' was released in 2002. So far, this band has released three albums.
Next to Time Requiem, Andersson also decided to start a new band with old friend Magnus Nilsson. Andersson and Nilsson grew up together and share a lot of musical influences.
Now Andersson has gathered a lot of fans and status, he decided that it would be time to release a ''Best of so far''-CD, that wears the title ''The Ultimate Andersson Collection CD''. He felt the production was a little bit weak on some of the albums, so all the songs have been rerecorded.
Göran Edman (ex-
Yngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie Johan Malmsteen (; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, on 30 June 1963) is a Swedish-American guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical metal, neoclassical playing style in heavy metal music, heavy metal, and has ...
, ex-
John Norum
John Terry Norum (born 23 February 1964) is a Norwegian-born Swedish guitarist and one of the founders of the rock band Europe. Concurrent to his role with Europe, he also maintains a career as a solo artist.
Biography
As an infant, Norum moved ...
) does the vocals.
Personal life
He is the father of child singer Elias Andersson who took part in ''
Talang 2007'', the inaugural season of Swedish ''
Got Talent
''Got Talent'' is a British talent show TV format conceived and owned by Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment. It has spawned spin-offs in over 60 countries, in what is now referred to as the 'Got Talent' format, similar to that described by Frema ...
'' series under the stage name "Skånske Elias". His son reached the top 8 finals stage of the competition, but did not win the title.
Discography
Majestic
*''Abstract Symphony'' (1999)
*''Trinity Overture'' (2000)
Time Requiem
*''
Time Requiem
Time Requiem is a Swedish neoclassical power metal band created by Richard Andersson in 2001.[Time Requiem]
" Encyc ...
'' (2002)
*''Unleashed in Japan'' (live album) (2004)
*''
The Inner Circle of Reality'' (2004)
*''
Optical Illusion
In visual perception, an optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is an illusion caused by the visual system and characterized by a visual perception, percept that arguably appears to differ from reality. Illusions come in a wide varie ...
'' (2006)
Space Odyssey
*''Embrace the Galaxy'' (2003)
*''The Astral Episode'' (2005)
*''Tears of the Sun'' (2006)
Richard Andersson
*''The Ultimate Andersson Collection'' (2005)
Guest appearances
*Mansson – ''Arch of Decadence'' (1999)
*
Adagio – ''
Sanctus Ignis
''Sanctus Ignis'' is the debut album by French progressive/neoclassical metal band Adagio, released on 8 May 2001 in France by Nothing to Say and in Europe by Limb Music.
Track listing
Reception
''Sanctus Ignis'' was well received by ...
'' (2001)
*
Midnight Sun
Midnight sun, also known as polar day, is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the summer months in places north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic Circle, when the Sun remains visible at the local midnight. When midnight sun is see ...
– ''Metalmachine'' (2001)
*
ZooL – ''ZooL'' (2002)
*Silver Seraph – ''Silver Seraph'' (2002)
*
Karmakanic – ''Entering the Spectra'' (2002)
*
Evil Masquerade – ''
Welcome to the Show'' (2004)
*
Karmakanic – ''Wheel of Life'' (2004)
*
Iron Mask – ''
Hordes of the Brave'' (2005)
*
Evil Masquerade – ''
Theatrical Madness'' (2005)
*
Evil Masquerade – ''Third Act'' (2006)
*
Angtoria – ''God Has a Plan for Us All'' (2006)
*Expedition Delta – ''Expedition Delta'' (2008)
References
External links
Andersson's official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andersson, Richard
Swedish heavy metal musicians
1972 births
Living people
Adagio (band) members
Iron Mask (band) members
People from Ystad
Musicians from Skåne County