Axenstar was formed by Peter Johansson (guitar) and Magnus Ek (bass) as a Metal-cover band 1998 under the
name Powerage, after several member changes the line up that took the name Axenstar in 2001 was Magnus Eriksson
(Vocals & Keyboards), Thomas Eriksson (Lead & Rhythm Guitar), Peter Johansson (Rhythm & Lead Guitar),
Magnus Ek (Bass) and Pontus Jansson (Drums).
In October 2002 Axenstar released their debut album Perpetual Twilight on the Spanish label Arise Records.
The album got really good reviews all over the world and Axenstar got the chance to play at Motala Metal Festival,
the biggest gig so far in their career.
The second album Far From Heaven was recorded during May of 2003 and just about a week after the recordings
were done Axenstar played at the mighty Sweden Rock Festival, which was a great experience for the band. In January
2004 the opportunity was given to go ahead on their first European Tour as the opening act to Falconer, unfortunately
Magnus Ek was unable to go on the tour and Joakim Jonsson (Skyfire, The mist of avalon)was found to be the stand-in
bassplayer on the tour, which turned out great.
The third album The Inquisition saw the light of day in 2005, but during this time and the time after the release there
were some problems within the band and in late summer 2005 guitarists Peter Johansson and Thomas Eriksson left
the band, not because of disagreements or anything like that but just personal reasons.
After that
third release the contract with Arise Records was over and Axenstar started looking for a new deal, now
joining forces with Joakim Jonsson on lead guitar. In the autumn of 2005 a new deal was signed with German label
Massacre Records and in the spring of 2006 the fourth album The Final Requiem was recorded as usual in
Studio Underground.
After the release of the fourth album there were more changes to come within the band and bassplayer Magnus Ek
and drummer Pontus Jansson soon left the band due to lack of time.
But already within a few months after the setback the two remaining members Magnus Winterwild and Joakim Jonsson
found a new drummer by the name of Thomas Ohlsson. The search for a bassplayer started and Thomas contacted
Henrik Sedell with whom Thomas had played together with previously. The chemistry with the two new members
was great and everything is going well on both a personal and professional level.
In June 2007 Axenstar did three shows in Sweden together with Nocturnal Rites that went really well.
Then once again Magnus and Joakim were back to being the only members in Axenstar since both Henrik and Thomas
left the band.
The writing process then started with focus on a new album that were scheduled to be recorded in May of 2008.
About 13 songs were written and 11 of them survived the cut and were recorded.
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