The Quill (band)
Encyclopedia
The Quill are a Swedish stoner rock
/heavy metal
band.
Anders Haglund
and bassist Peter Holm. The Quill played the Swedish barcircuit the following years. Peter Holm left the band at the end of 1993 and was replaced by Roger Nilsson
. After writing material for half a year they entered Berno studio in Malmö
and recorded their self titled debut The Quill in three weeks.
After signing a recorddeal with Megarock Records
their debut was released in Europe
in March 1995. A video for the track "Jet of water" was recorded. The album got an overwhelming reception by the critics and was later voted number 70 in Sweden's biggest newspaper "Aftonbladet
" poll, Top 100 albums of the year. Other reviews that can be mentioned: 4 out of 5 in Raw, 81 out of 100 in Burrn!
magazine.
After a short promotion tour in Sweden with Abstrakt Algebra
, The Quill played the Karlshamn Rockfestival
. A tour in Germany
was booked but was later cancelled due to some trouble with the record company. Instead The Quill played some more festivals in Sweden. After playing all over Sweden for almost a year the band started working on the next album. In May 1997 Anders Haglund decided to leave the band, the others feeling no need of a new organ player decided to continue as a four piece band. In August 1997 the band again entered Berno Studio in Malmö and started working on the second album Silver Haze. A month later the album was finished. The band had then recorded 13 new songs.
Since the release of the album was delayed and The Quill had written some new songs that they wanted on the album, so they re-entered Berno Studios in the summer of 1998 and recorded the tracks "Grand Canyon, "Under a vow" and "Mercury". At the same session they also recorded the song "A Sinner's Fame" originally made by the band Trouble
, and the song "Fairies Wear Boots" originally recorded by Black Sabbath. During the autumn of 1998 they did a smaller tour in Sweden together with a band called Bullhorn.
The beginning of 1999 finally saw the release of the second album entitled Silver Haze. The summer also saw the release of a 10" EP called Evermore on Froghouse records. During all this the band also managed to visit Berno Studios two times and record their versions of "Where Eagles Dare" by Iron Maiden
, "Frozen Over" by Captain Beyond
and lastly "Mount Everest" by November
.
In 2000 The Quill re-released their first album on both Cd and Vinyl. It was released by Meteorcity in the US and People Like U in Europe. Shortly thereafter the band announced that they reached an agreement with German label SPV. With german label they have since released 3 albums: Voodoo Caravan in 2002, Hooray! It's a Deathtrip in 2003 and In Triumph in 2006.
In 2005 bass-player Roger Nilsson
left the band and was replaced by Robert Triches.
At the end of 2007, vocalist Magnus Ekwall also decided to leave the band.
During 2008 and the bigger part of 2009 the band's activity was on an all time low. Late 2009 the three remaining members (Atlagic, Carlsson, Triches) decided to try to find a new singer and make another album. Magnus Arnar was contacted and he joined the band mid 2010. The bands sixth album, ”Full Circle” was recorded in Grand Studios in Gävle, Sweden during the winter 2010/2011 and a new record deal was cut with German hard rock label Metalville. Full Circle was released June 24:th in Europe and July 26:th in North America. Following the release came the bands most ambitious touring in many, many years, with shows taking place all over Europe.
and stoner metal band but they can also be regarded as a heavy metal
band. They are influenced by late 1960s and early 1970s bands such as Black Sabbath
, Deep Purple
and Led Zeppelin
, but also sound like 1990s grunge
and stoner metal bands such as Soundgarden
, Alice in Chains
, Monster Magnet
, Kyuss
and Corrosion of Conformity
. Especially vocalist Magnus Ekwall who is often compared to Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell
. The official The Quill MySpace states they sound like "groovy hard/heavy rock".
, The Quill played the Karlshamn Rockfestival
with bands like Black Sabbath
and Fleetwood Mac
.
In the summer of 1999 The Quill played a number of festivals in Sweden and in Denmark
. At Sweden Rock Festival
The Quill played together with bands like Deep Purple
, Motörhead, Captain Beyond
and Dio
.
Touring to promote the 2003 album Hooray! It's a Deathtrip included August festival appearances at Wacken Open Air
in Germany, 'Metal Dayz' in Switzerland
and the Swedish Timmernabben Eldfesten and Oskarshamn Parkfestivalen events. The band united with Norwegian band Gluecifer
and headliners Monster Magnet during European touring in April 2004.
The band did a headline tour in Europe 2006 following the release of ”In Triumph” and also played Sweden Rock Festival
again.
After ”Full Circle” was released 2011 the band plans on extensive touring all over Europe.
's The Human Equation
Drummer George "Jolle" Atlagic joined finnish glam legends Hanoi Rocks
in 2008. He's also recorded one album with British band Firebird
Bass-player Roger Nilsson
has also recorded and toured with other bands such as Spiritual Beggars
, Arch Enemy and Firebird
.
Stoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
/heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band.
Biography
The Quill was formed in the early 1990s by singer Magnus Ekwall, guitarist Christian Carlsson, drummer George Atlagic, organistOrganist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
Anders Haglund
Anders Haglund
Anders Haglund is a Swedish former professional golfer.Haglund was born in Borås, Sweden. As an amateur golfer, he won the inaugural European Amateur in 1986 at the Eindhoven Golf Club. He played college golf at the University of South Florida in the United States. Haglund won the Open de Bordeaux...
and bassist Peter Holm. The Quill played the Swedish barcircuit the following years. Peter Holm left the band at the end of 1993 and was replaced by Roger Nilsson
Roger Nilsson
Roger Nilsson a Swedish bass-player best known for his work with The Quill, Spiritual Beggars, Arch Enemy and Firebird.-The Quill:* The Quill * Silver Haze * Evermore...
. After writing material for half a year they entered Berno studio in Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
and recorded their self titled debut The Quill in three weeks.
After signing a recorddeal with Megarock Records
Megarock Records
Megarock Records is a Swedish record label, which focus mainly on heavy metal music.-Bands:* Abstrakt Algebra* Ace's High* Alien* Backyard Babies* Bad Habit* Candlemass* Criss* Crossroad Jam* It's Alive* Jester* Landberk* Machine Gun Kelly...
their debut was released in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in March 1995. A video for the track "Jet of water" was recorded. The album got an overwhelming reception by the critics and was later voted number 70 in Sweden's biggest newspaper "Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
" poll, Top 100 albums of the year. Other reviews that can be mentioned: 4 out of 5 in Raw, 81 out of 100 in Burrn!
Burrn!
Burrn! is a monthly Japanese magazine, published since 1984, for fans of heavy metal music. It is published by Shinko Music in Tokyo. The magazine's content is in Japanese, but the covers are predominantly in English.-References:* Japanavision...
magazine.
After a short promotion tour in Sweden with Abstrakt Algebra
Abstrakt Algebra
Abstrakt Algebra was a Swedish experimental metal band with influences from power metal and doom metal. It was founded by bassist Leif Edling in 1994, shortly after his main project Candlemass split up....
, The Quill played the Karlshamn Rockfestival
Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
. A tour in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
was booked but was later cancelled due to some trouble with the record company. Instead The Quill played some more festivals in Sweden. After playing all over Sweden for almost a year the band started working on the next album. In May 1997 Anders Haglund decided to leave the band, the others feeling no need of a new organ player decided to continue as a four piece band. In August 1997 the band again entered Berno Studio in Malmö and started working on the second album Silver Haze. A month later the album was finished. The band had then recorded 13 new songs.
Since the release of the album was delayed and The Quill had written some new songs that they wanted on the album, so they re-entered Berno Studios in the summer of 1998 and recorded the tracks "Grand Canyon, "Under a vow" and "Mercury". At the same session they also recorded the song "A Sinner's Fame" originally made by the band Trouble
Trouble (band)
Trouble is an American doom metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre, alongside bands such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s...
, and the song "Fairies Wear Boots" originally recorded by Black Sabbath. During the autumn of 1998 they did a smaller tour in Sweden together with a band called Bullhorn.
The beginning of 1999 finally saw the release of the second album entitled Silver Haze. The summer also saw the release of a 10" EP called Evermore on Froghouse records. During all this the band also managed to visit Berno Studios two times and record their versions of "Where Eagles Dare" by Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, "Frozen Over" by Captain Beyond
Captain Beyond
Captain Beyond was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971.-History:The original line-up for Captain Beyond were singer Rod Evans, drummer Bobby Caldwell, guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, bassist Lee Dorman and keyboardist Lewie Gold...
and lastly "Mount Everest" by November
November (band)
November is a Swedish rock band formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1969 by Christer Stålbrandt, Richard Rolf and Björn Inge.-History:Their music was partly inspired by American acid rock, but heavy and blues based like a mixture of Cream, Mountain and Led Zeppelin. November started in 1968 at...
.
In 2000 The Quill re-released their first album on both Cd and Vinyl. It was released by Meteorcity in the US and People Like U in Europe. Shortly thereafter the band announced that they reached an agreement with German label SPV. With german label they have since released 3 albums: Voodoo Caravan in 2002, Hooray! It's a Deathtrip in 2003 and In Triumph in 2006.
In 2005 bass-player Roger Nilsson
Roger Nilsson
Roger Nilsson a Swedish bass-player best known for his work with The Quill, Spiritual Beggars, Arch Enemy and Firebird.-The Quill:* The Quill * Silver Haze * Evermore...
left the band and was replaced by Robert Triches.
At the end of 2007, vocalist Magnus Ekwall also decided to leave the band.
During 2008 and the bigger part of 2009 the band's activity was on an all time low. Late 2009 the three remaining members (Atlagic, Carlsson, Triches) decided to try to find a new singer and make another album. Magnus Arnar was contacted and he joined the band mid 2010. The bands sixth album, ”Full Circle” was recorded in Grand Studios in Gävle, Sweden during the winter 2010/2011 and a new record deal was cut with German hard rock label Metalville. Full Circle was released June 24:th in Europe and July 26:th in North America. Following the release came the bands most ambitious touring in many, many years, with shows taking place all over Europe.
Musical style and influences
The Quill are often referred to as a stoner rockStoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
and stoner metal band but they can also be regarded as a heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band. They are influenced by late 1960s and early 1970s bands such as Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, but also sound like 1990s grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
and stoner metal bands such as Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
, Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
, Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
, Kyuss
Kyuss
Kyuss is a rock band, originally from Palm Desert, California. After forming in the late 1980s and releasing an EP under the name Sons of Kyuss in 1990, the band shortened its name to Kyuss. Over the next five years the band released four full-length albums, and one last split EP in 1997 with...
and Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina formed in 1982. For almost the majority of its existence, the band has consisted of guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean , drummer Reed Mullin and vocalist and rhythm...
. Especially vocalist Magnus Ekwall who is often compared to Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
. The official The Quill MySpace states they sound like "groovy hard/heavy rock".
Touring
After The Quill's debut was released in Europe in March 1995 they did a promotion tour in Sweden with Abstrakt AlgebraAbstrakt Algebra
Abstrakt Algebra was a Swedish experimental metal band with influences from power metal and doom metal. It was founded by bassist Leif Edling in 1994, shortly after his main project Candlemass split up....
, The Quill played the Karlshamn Rockfestival
Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
with bands like Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
.
In the summer of 1999 The Quill played a number of festivals in Sweden and in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. At Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
The Quill played together with bands like Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Motörhead, Captain Beyond
Captain Beyond
Captain Beyond was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971.-History:The original line-up for Captain Beyond were singer Rod Evans, drummer Bobby Caldwell, guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, bassist Lee Dorman and keyboardist Lewie Gold...
and Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
.
Touring to promote the 2003 album Hooray! It's a Deathtrip included August festival appearances at Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
in Germany, 'Metal Dayz' in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and the Swedish Timmernabben Eldfesten and Oskarshamn Parkfestivalen events. The band united with Norwegian band Gluecifer
Gluecifer
Gluecifer was a hard rock band based in Oslo, Norway. Formed in 1994, they produced several underground releases during their first years of existence and soon claimed to be "kings of rock"....
and headliners Monster Magnet during European touring in April 2004.
The band did a headline tour in Europe 2006 following the release of ”In Triumph” and also played Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
again.
After ”Full Circle” was released 2011 the band plans on extensive touring all over Europe.
Members
- Magnus Arnar - vocals
- Christian Carlsson - guitar
- George ’Jolle’ Atlagic - drums
- Robert Triches - bass
Studio albums
- The Quill (1995) - CD
- Silver Haze (1999) - CD
- Evermore (1999) - 10" EP
- The Quill (re-release 2000) - CD
- Voodoo Caravan (2002) - CD
- Hooray! It's a deathtrip (2003) - CD
- In Triumph (2006) - CD
- Full Circle (2011) - CD
Trivia
Lead singer Magnus Ekwall appeared on AyreonAyreon
Ayreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
's The Human Equation
The Human Equation
The Human Equation is the sixth album by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released under the name Ayreon. It was released on May 25, 2004. As with other Ayreon albums, it features guest appearances from several musicians previously unrelated to the project, including James LaBrie of Dream Theater, Mikael...
Drummer George "Jolle" Atlagic joined finnish glam legends Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
in 2008. He's also recorded one album with British band Firebird
Firebird (band)
Firebird is a British blues-rock power trio founded by Bill Steer in 1999. The music style, reminiscent of seventies rock bands such as Cream, is a radical departure from Steer's previous work with grindcore pioneers Napalm Death and death metal band Carcass....
Bass-player Roger Nilsson
Roger Nilsson
Roger Nilsson a Swedish bass-player best known for his work with The Quill, Spiritual Beggars, Arch Enemy and Firebird.-The Quill:* The Quill * Silver Haze * Evermore...
has also recorded and toured with other bands such as Spiritual Beggars
Spiritual Beggars
Spiritual Beggars is a hard rock/stoner metal band from Halmstad, Sweden, formed by Michael Amott, who is known from Arch Enemy, Carcass and Carnage.- Biography :...
, Arch Enemy and Firebird
Firebird (band)
Firebird is a British blues-rock power trio founded by Bill Steer in 1999. The music style, reminiscent of seventies rock bands such as Cream, is a radical departure from Steer's previous work with grindcore pioneers Napalm Death and death metal band Carcass....
.