Astral Doors
Of the son and the father
In the spring of 2002, Swedish multi-musician Joachim Nordlund and Johan Lindstedt, (former drummer of rap-metal group "Buckshot O.D."), teamed up and decided to write some metal songs in the spirit of the old heroes Rainbow, Sabbath and Deep Purple. Johan (not only a drummer, but also a great guitarist and riff-machine) and Joachim soon found each other on the same wavelength and started to produce songs in within this style.
Patrik Johansson, an old time friend with Johan, was asked to do the vocals in the project. Patrik, who had previously played in progressive metal band Lunatic Parade, accepted the offer and the rock started to roll.
As things progressed, the songs went more and more into a modern mix of late Sabbath and Rainbow with a touch of early Dio.
By the late fall 2002, some international managements started to pay attention, and the band decided it was time to decide if they would do this as a side-project or a serious full-time band. They chose the latter!
Up to this point, Joachim had been the one to do all the instruments, except the drum-parts, on the recordings. But now was the time to contact a keyboardist and a bassist, so Joachim could put all his focus on the guitar playing and the song writing.
Joachim asked his former band-mate from symphonic Rush-influenced act Erina, Jocke Roberg, if he wanted to join, and a handshake later the band had their own Jon Lord.
Martin Haglund from Universal Puppies was a guy that Joachim had known for years, and as such the only one Joachim wanted to see behind the big bass. The other boys liked the idea and Astral Doors was not just a project anymore: They were a real band!
The wheels have been moving fast for the band. Not only have the band grown together, but also on a personal note things have happened. In late 2002 Patrik was chosen as the singer on the solo-project of well-known keyboardist Richard Andersson (Time Requiem/Majestic), Space Odyssey, which is being released worldwide in September 2003, as well as joining Danish/Swedish symphonic and progressive metal band Wuthering Heights, for their third album, which will be released worldwide at end of 2003 / beginning of 2004 Astral Doors have now completed the recordings of their debut-album together with top-engineer PeterTätgren (Hypocrisy, Pain, Dimmu Borgir, Destruction etc.), and they have started to work with Danish based metal-agency Intromental Management, with the purpose of bringing Astral Doors to the next level of success.
The album contains 11 fantastic songs. All of the songs are original tunes, written by Joachim, Johan and Patrik, and will appeal to any self-respecting fan of true hard rock and metal. This is THE album for Dio, Black Sabbath and Rainbow aficionados."
