Johan Liiva

Infobox musical artist
Name = Johan Liiva

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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Johan Patrik Mattias Liiva
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1970|11|18
Died =
Origin = Helsingborg, Sweden
Instrument = Vocals, Bass, Guitar
Genre = Death metal
Melodic death metal
Occupation = Musician, Songwriter
Years_active = 1988–present
Label =
Associated_acts = Carnage
Devourment
Furbowl
Arch Enemy
NonExist
Hearse
URL = http://johanliiva.se

Johan 'Liiva' Axelsson (born November 18, 1970 in Helsingborg) is a Swedish extreme metal vocalist, most widely recognized as the founding vocalist of popular melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, as well as a former member of Carnage, Furbowl, and NonExist. He is currently working as vocalist with the band Hearse.

History

Johan Liiva formed Carnage with childhood friend Michael Amott in 1988, and appeared on "The Day Man Lost" demo, but left the band before their debut album was recorded in 1990. He went on to form Furbowl as a guitarist/vocalist, with Max Thornell on drums. The band released their debut album "Those Shredded Dreams" as a two piece on Step One Records in 1992. The album also featured guest solos on two songs by Michael Amott. Furbowl would add a guitarist, Nicklas Stenemo, and release their second full length "The Autumn Years" in 1994 on Black Mark Productions, but the project folded soon after.

After the demise of Furbowl in mid 1990s, Johan once again teamed up with Michael Amott to form the band Arch Enemy in 1996. After releasing their first album "Black Earth" in Japan that same year, the album became a success, receiving airplay on Japan's MTV Rocks! and in 1998 Arch Enemy were invited to tour Japan, and sign a new deal with Toy's Factory records. Arch Enemy released "Stigmata" worldwide in 1998, and the band toured for the first time. In 1999, the band released "Burning Bridges", and "Burning Japan Live 1999", the latter proved to be Johan's last album with Arch Enemy.

In November 2000, Johan said he received a letter from Michael Amott saying Arch Enemy would be auditioning a new singer, and that Johan should seek other projects. Shocked, Johan went on to form the band NonExist with guitarist Johan Reinholdz (Andromeda), and drummer Matte Modin (Dark Funeral, Defleshed). The band only released one album, "Deus Deceptor", in 2002 before parting ways.

Johan soon formed the band Hearse, with Mattias Ljung on guitar and ex-Furbowl bandmate Max Thornell on drums. The band have been very active ever since, releasing "Dominion Reptilian" in 2003 on Hammerheart Records, "Armageddon, Mon Amour" in 2004 on Candlelight Records, "The Last Ordeal" in 2005 on Karmageddon Records, and "In These Veins" on Dental Records in 2006.

Johan Liiva also was featured as guest vocalist on the Canadian Industrial Death Metal act Synastry's debut full length 'Blind Eyes Bleed' on the track 'Visions Of Anger' recorded in 2007 and to be released in 2008.

Discography

Furbowl

* "Those Shredded Dreams "(1992)
* "The Autumn Years "(1994)

Arch Enemy

* "Black Earth" (1996)
* "Stigmata" (1998)
* "Burning Bridges" (1999)
* "Burning Japan Live 1999" (2000)
* "Wages of Sin" (Disc 2) (2001)

NonExist

* "Deus Deceptor" (2002)

Hearse

* "Dominion Reptilian" (2003)
* "Armageddon, Mon Amour" (2004)
* "The Last Ordeal" (2005)
* "In These Veins" (2006)

External links

* [http://johanliiva.se/ Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/johanliiva Official MySpace]
* [http://www.archenemy.net Official Arch Enemy Website]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/index.php Encyclopaedia Metallum]
* [http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Hearse-August2004.htm Interview with Metal-Rules, August 2004]