Swedish heavy metal band LANCER have completed recording their fourth studio album entitled “Tempest” and signed to new German label Fireflash Records, which also houses the likes of MEZZROW, TAILGUNNER, HOLY MOSES and others. The album “Tempest” is planned to be released in August 2023. The album “Tempest” was recorded by the band themselves and Anders Backelin (LORD BELIAL a.o.) at “Armageddon Recordings Studio“, who also mixed and mastered the album with guitarist Per-Owe Solvelius, who is the main producer of “Tempest“. “This album is heavier, it’s more dramatic and it’s a new direction for LANCER” said new vocalist Jack L. Stroem.
”We are absolutely excited to be working again with Markus Wosgien, one of the finest people in the entire business! We’re so honored to be one of the first few bands to sign to his new label Fireflash Records. It’s the collaboration we’ve been hoping for with our upcoming new album” said guitarist and founding member of LANCER, Fredrik Kelemen.
“I’ve been following this band since their second album “Second Storm”, which was the perfect mix of Euro 90’s metal bands like EDGUY, STRATOVARIUS and HAMMERFALL. I was able to sign them to Nuclear Blast and do the “Mastery” album with them and become friends. When they hitched together with the incredible songs from their record for the upcoming album “Tempest“, it was clear that we had to team up again and release this metal gem together“, added Markus Wosgien of Fireflash Records.
LANCER formed in 2009 and started to invade the metal scene in the spring of 2012 with their debut EP “Purple Sky“. The EP received rave reviews from around the world and resulted in a record contract with Swedish label Doolittle Group AB, which belongs to well-known metal vocalist Christian Liljegren (NARNIA) and they also signed a deal with Japanese label King Records.
In early 2013, LANCER‘s self-titled debut album was released worldwide. Produced by Tommy Johansson (SABATON, MAJESTICA) and Ronny Milianowicz (SHADOWQUEST, ex-DIONYSUS), the album “Lancer” received favorable reviews worldwide, including “Sweden Rock Magazine“, naming the band “a new hope for European power metal“. .
LANCER‘s second album “Second Storm” is a melodic metal lesson and follows a long tradition of great Swedish metal bands, such as HAMMERFALL, MORGANA LEFAY, DREAM EVIL, TAD MOROSE and many more. This album was recorded at the famous “Leon Music Studios” with producer Gustav Ydenius (ENFORCER, SISTER SIN a.o.). Released on Despotz Records in April 2015, the album “Second Storm” received rave reviews from the metal press worldwide, naming the band “the future heir to the throne of melodic metal“. During the fall of 2015 LANCER joined German power metal band FREEDOM CALL as a support band on tour and received a fantastic reception from the fans!
When LANCER announced that they would begin recording for their third album in the summer of 2016, renowned German metal label Nuclear Blast Records contacted the band, and a new recording contract was signed. LANCER enters “Leon Music Studios” once again with producer Gustav Ydenius. This time the band chose to let world renowned mastering engineer Miro Rodenberg (AVANTASIA, RHAPSODY, KAMELOT) from “Gate Studio” in Wolfsburg/Germany, master the album. After signing Nuclear Blast, LANCER went to Japan for the first time and performed at a sold out show at the “Astro Hall” in Tokyo. Their third album “Mastery” was released worldwide in January 2017, and the band soon embarked on a European tour as a support act for HAMMEFALL and GLORYHAMMER. After returning home, LANCER made their debut at the famous festival “Sabaton Open Air“, before singer Isak Stenvall and drummer Sebastian Pedernera announced their departure from the band.
After recruiting singer Jack L. Stroem (VANDOR) and drummer Pontus Andrén, the LANCER lineup is back complete and more solid than ever! “Finding Jack and Pontus seemed like a one in a million hit! Jack with his strong and diverse voice, and Pontus’ brilliance and technical groove make them a perfect fit for the band”, commented Fredrik about the new members.
“I can’t describe how excited I am to unveil the music on the new album, my brothers at LANCER have pushed my skills as a singer tenfold and I’m so pleased with the end result“, said Jack and his new bandmate Pontus summed it up: “The taste It’s amazing to be part of this next chapter for LANCER. The album “Tempest” is an exciting new direction for the band, while still retaining some of the elements of old material that I love.“
”Tempest” will be released in August 2023, be prepared for a powerful metal strike – made in Sweden!
Line up:
Fredrik Kelemen – Guitars
Emil Öberg – Bass
Ewo Solvelius – Guitars
Pontus Andrén – Drums
Jack L. Stroem – Vocals