Falconer (band)

Falconer
Falconer at the Wacken Open Air in 2007.
Background information
Origin	Mjölby, Sweden
Genres	Power metal, folk metal
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Metal Blade
Associated acts	Mithotyn
Website	www.falconermusic.com
Members	Mathias Blad Stefan Weinerhall Jimmy Hedlund Magnus Linhardt Karsten Larsson
Past members	Kristoffer Göbel Anders Johansson Peder Johansson

Falconer is a Swedish folk/power metal band from Mjölby, formed in 1999 by the former guitarist of Mithotyn, Stefan Weinerhall. Falconer carry on many of the traditions set by Weinerhall's previous band and play a style of power metal that utilizes folk instrumentation and melody to create a more medieval sound.

When the band Mithotyn dissolved in 1999, Stefan Weinerhall planned to form a folk-influenced melodic metal band similar to his previous project, but with a focus on clean singing rather than harsh vocals. A demo was recorded using a drum machine and Swedish actor/singer Mathias Blad agreed to do vocals as a session member. After shopping the demo to labels, drummer Karsten Larsson (also ex-Mithotyn) was added to the lineup and Mathias joined as a permanent member. Eventually, the band signed to Metal Blade Records.

In November 2000, the band entered the Los Angered Recording (now Sonic Train Studios) with Andy LaRocque and Jacob Hansen behind the knobs. Their debut album Falconer was recorded in three weeks and was released in March in Europe and May in the United States. The album was met with critical success, and demand for live performances led to the addition of session members.

Falconer returned to Los Angered in November 2001. Nine tracks and one bonus track were recorded and mixed during the 24 days. In addition, the band licensed the album to Soundholic for Japanese distribution. The new album Chapters From a Vale Forlorn was released on February 7 in Japan and on March 11 in Europe and in the US.

The band added Anders Johansson of Swedish band Vrävarna (not to be confused with the HammerFall drummer of the same name) and Peder Johansson on second guitar and bass, respectively, as live session members, and performed at Wacken Open Air, Rock Machina, and Bang Your Head Festival during the summer. Following these appearances, demand for live performances from the band increased considerably, and vocalist Mathias Blad, who could not commit to touring due to his acting career, agreed to amicably leave the band.