Hellsongs


Hellsongs is a three-piece acoustic band from Sweden who produce covers of famous hard rock and heavy metal songs in a very different style that they call 'lounge metal'. That means old metal classics performed with clear female vocals, soft guitars and organ.

History

In 2004 the band was formed consisting of Harriet Ohlsson, Johan Bringhed, and Kalle. In 2005, the Swedish national heavy metal radio show Rundgång on Sveriges Radio P3 featured Hellsongs playing a cover of Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills" live. As Rundgång became a television show, it featured a live clip of the same act.
In 2006 the band released their debut EP "Lounge" which consists of six tracks of versions of old metal classics such as "Run to the Hills", "Jump" and "Orgasmatron". The EP got positive response and Hellsongs built a reputation as a live act in Scandinavia.
Their first full-length album, Hymns in the Key of 666 was released in early 2008 in the Nordic countries by the label Despotz Records. The album hit the Swedish charts at 9 the first week. It was later released in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2009 Siri Bergnéhr replaced Ohlsson as the lead singer, and the EP Pieces of Heaven, a Glimpse of Hell was issued. In 2010 a second album Minor Misdemeanors came out on Tapete Records and in May the band toured in Germany.
On Nov 11, 2010, Siri Bergnéhr had a minor stroke, and the remainder of their tour dates were canceled. They played a farewell concert in their hometown of Göteborg on Mar 11, 2011, and do not plan to continue the band with the same members.
In early 2012 Hellsongs released the live recording from the show with the Göteborg Symphonics, "Long Live Lounge" and once again hit the roads, now with My Engström-Renman on vocals.
The rest of the year was spent recording a new album which was released as "These are evil times..." in 2013. The album consists of five covers and for the first time in band history five original songs. Bandleader Kalle opened the band to a different musical approach by using drums, electric guitars and keyboards on that record.
Autumn 2013 saw the band touring Europe with main focus on Germany.
Hellsongs are planning further touring in European countries like Netherlands or Italy, which will lead to play some summer festivals in 2014. In 2013, Karlsson reported that songs for a new album are being written. It is likely to contain original material as well as some cover versions.
On the 15th September 2023 they released their first new single in almost a decade – a cover of "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine. On October 25, 2024, they released their new album, The Return Of The Hellsingers.

"Lounge" (2006) track listing

  1. Seek and Destroy
  2. Paranoid
  3. Breaking the Law
  4. Run to the Hills
  5. Jump
  6. Orgasmatron

    Guest musicians

  • David Wertén – double bass on "Paranoid" and "Jump"
  • Johannes Bergion – cello on "Paranoid" and "Jump"
  • Johan Reivén – percussion, add, guitar

    "Hymns in the Key of 666" (2008) track listing

  1. The Trooper
  2. Symphony of Destruction
  3. Rock the Night
  4. Seasons in the Abyss
  5. We're Not Gonna Take It
  6. Blackened
  7. Thunderstruck
  8. Run to the Hills
  9. Paranoid
  10. Princess of the Night
  11. Jump

    "Pieces of Heaven, a Glimpse of Hell" (2009 EP) track listing

  12. War Pigs
  13. The Evil That Men Do
  14. Losers and Winners
  15. Eagle Fly Free
  16. I Just Want You

    "Minor Misdemeanors" (2010) track listing

  17. Skeletons of Society
  18. Heaven Can Wait
  19. Welcome to the Jungle
  20. Walk
  21. I Wanna Be Somebody
  22. Rubicon Crossings
  23. School's Out
  24. Sin City
  25. Youth Gone Wild
  26. United

    "Long Live Lounge" (2012 live album) track listing

with members of the [Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra]

  1. Seek & Destroy
  2. The Evil That Men Do
  3. War Pigs
  4. Heaven Can Wait
  5. Sin City
  6. Walk
  7. Youth Gone Wild
  8. School's Out
  9. Run to the Hills
  10. Skeletons in Society
  11. 10.000 Lovers
  12. I Just Want You
  13. We're Not Gonna Take It

    "These are Evil Times" (2013) track listing

  14. Iron Man
  15. A Silence So loud
  16. Engel
  17. Cold
  18. Animal Army
  19. Eyemaster
  20. Equality
  21. Oh, Rosseau!
  22. Stand Up & Shout
  23. Music Took My Life

    "The Return Of The Hellsingers" (2024) track listing

  24. Just Because You Got the Power
  25. Use What You Got
  26. Basket Case
  27. Killing in the Name
  28. Friends
  29. TNT
  30. Rather Be Dead
  31. Parental Advisory
  32. Calling Them Out