Ragne Wahlquist, guitarist and vocalist of HEAVY LOAD, has passed away at the age of 69!

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Ragne Wahlquist, guitarist and vocalist of HEAVY LOAD, a band widely regarded as the first Swedish Heavy Metal band and simultaneously the first Viking Metal band, has passed away at the age of 69.

HEAVY LOAD was founded in Stockholm during the winter of 1974-1975 by the two brothers, Ragne (vocals, guitars, and keyboards) and Styrbjörn (vocals and drums). HEAVY LOAD released their first album, «Full Speed At High Level», in 1978, during a time when Swedish media and the music industry claimed that Hard Rock was dead and that the band was doomed to fail. The Viking heritage was a significant source of inspiration for the brothers since childhood. As a result, they combined 1970s Hard Rock with Viking themes and sentiments, creating a unique blend of music and lyrics.

After adding a second guitarist to the band, they also founded their own record label, Thunderload Records. Through their label, they released timeless classics such as «Metal Conquest» (1981), «Death Or Glory» (1982), and «Stronger Than Evil» (1983).

At their Thunderload recording facility, the Wahlquist brothers recorded the legendary debut album of CANDLEMASS, «Epicus Doomicus Metallicus», as well as LPs by HAMMERFALL and Yngwie Malmsteen.

CANDLEMASS bid farewell to Ragne Wahlquist with an emotional post on social media:

“Our dear friend Ragne Wahlquist is dead and I’m heartbroken. A wonderful person and musician is gone, and also the creator and forefather of swedish heavy metal with his mighty Heavy Load! He was an inspiration to me and Candlemass and he will be sadly missed. Our summer garden parties will not be the same anymore.

Rest in Peace my friend Ragne “Valhalla Warrior” Wahlquist.
Leif Edling and CANDLEMASS

In 2023, HEAVY LOAD released their 40th-anniversary comeback album, «Riders Of The Ancient Storm». Ragne and his younger brother Styrbjörn were in the middle of recording HEAVY LOAD’s fifth album at the time of Ragne’s passing.

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