The Quill (band)
| The Quill | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sweden |
| Genres | Stoner metal Stoner rock Heavy metal Hard rock |
| Years active | 1990-present |
| Labels | Froghouse, Megarock, Steamhammer, SPV, Metalville, |
| Website | www.thequill.se |
| Members | |
| Magnus Arnar Christian Carlsson George Atlagic Robert Triches |
|
| Past members | |
| Magnus Ekwall Peter Holm Anders Haglund Roger Nilsson |
|
The Quill are a Swedish stoner rock/heavy metal band.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
The Quill was formed in the early 1990s by singer Magnus Ekwall, guitarist Christian Carlsson, drummer George Atlagic, organist 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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
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 At the same session they also recorded the song "A Sinner's Fame" originally made by the band Trouble, and the song "Fairies Wear Boots" originally recorded by Black Sabbath.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.[1]
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.[1]
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.
[edit] Musical style and influences
The Quill are often referred to as a stoner rock and stoner metal band[2][3] but they can also be regarded as a heavy metal band.[4] 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.[3] Especially vocalist Magnus Ekwall who is often compared to Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell.[2][5] The official The Quill MySpace states they sound like "groovy hard/heavy rock".[6]
[edit] Touring
After The Quill's debut was released in Europe in March 1995 they did a promotion tour in Sweden with Abstrakt Algebra, The Quill played the Karlshamn Rockfestival with bands like Black Sabbath and Fleetwood Mac.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
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.
[edit] Members
- Magnus Arnar - vocals
- Christian Carlsson - guitar
- George ’Jolle’ Atlagic - drums
- Robert Triches - bass
[edit] Discography
[edit] 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[7]
[edit] Trivia
Lead singer Magnus Ekwall appeared on Ayreon'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.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "History of The Quill @ official website". http://www.thequill.se/history.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
- ^ a b "The Quill @ BNR Metal". Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. http://web.archive.org/web/20070607150857/http://bnrmetal.com/groups/quil.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-30. "Musically, The Quill is often mentioned as a stoner rock band, but this is slightly misleading -- they do have some similarities with that genre, but they aren't a Kyuss /Fu Manchu clone like many in that crowd. Former vocalist Magnus Ekwall was a dead ringer for Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave), and mid-period Soundgarden is possibly the closest musical reference point as well, with perhaps a few Monster Magnet-isms thrown in as well"
- ^ a b "Voodoo Caravan @ Allmusic". http://www.allmusic.com/album/r659420. Retrieved 2007-07-30. "First, it is easy to spot Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Give a listen to "Sell No Soul" for a quick example of those. They also chart into Led Zeppelin territory. Check out "(Wade Across) The Mighty River" and think Led Zeppelin III. All their influences are not so old-school, though. Indeed, tracks like "Until Earth Is Bitter Gone" showcase a Soundgarden sort of texture and "Overlord" screams Corrosion of Conformity. The group is being billed as "stoner rock," and it does exhibit healthy doses of that variant of the jam band sound, but that is certainly not the whole picture."
- ^ "The Quill @ Encyclopaedia Metallum". http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=6064. Retrieved 2007-07-30. "Genre(s) Heavy/Stoner metal"
- ^ "In Triumph review @ Blabbermouth". http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=764. Retrieved 2007-07-30. "And Magnus Ekwall really does have a magnificent voice, a charismatic blend of Ray Gillen, Chris Cornell and Robert Plant (minus the raw, off-key sex appeal)"
- ^ "Official MySPace". http://www.myspace.com/thequillofficial. Retrieved 2007-07-30. "Sounds Like Groovy hard/heavy rock"
- ^ The Quill Announces New Album "Full Circle" Release
