Akilles: The Swedish Hard Rock Powerhouse

Akilles is a Swedish hard rock band known for its energetic live shows and classic rock-inspired sound. Hailing from Gothenburg, the group achieved notable success with their debut album, which charted in Sweden and secured a gold certification.

Early career

The band was formed in Gothenburg in 2005 by vocalist and guitarist Johan "Jossan" Lundgren and guitarist Mikael "Micke" Härenstam. Drawing inspiration from 70s and 80s hard rock, they built a local following through relentless touring across Swedish clubs and festivals.

Their self-released EP, "Ready to Strike," in 2008 caught the attention of the independent label Metal Heaven. This led to a record deal and the start of work on their first full-length album.

Breakthrough

Akilles broke through in 2010 with their debut album, "No Fear," released on Metal Heaven. The album entered the Swedish charts at number 32 and was later certified gold, driven by strong rock radio support and consistent touring throughout Scandinavia.

Key tracks

No Fear — This anthemic title track became the band's signature song and a staple of their live set.

Burn the Night — The lead single from their debut showcased their blend of melodic hooks and driving guitar riffs.

Heart of Steel — A power ballad that demonstrated the band's range and received significant airplay on Swedish rock radio.

Road Warrior — This high-energy track, from their 2013 album "Unbreakable," became a fan favorite for its touring theme.

Rising Force — Featured on their 2016 album "Thunderbolt," this song highlighted their collaborative work with guest guitarist Pontus Norgren of HammerFall.

The success of "No Fear" was followed by the albums "Unbreakable" (2013) and "Thunderbolt" (2016), both of which charted within the Swedish top 40. Akilles has collaborated with notable figures in the Scandinavian rock scene, including Pontus Norgren and drummer Snowy Shaw.

Fans of Akilles also enjoy the music of similar Swedish rock acts. Hardcore Superstar shares a similar glam-tinged, high-energy hard rock approach. The Hellacopters deliver the same raw, garage-infused rock and roll power. Mustasch offers a comparable blend of heavy riffs and anthemic choruses rooted in classic rock. HammerFall represents the more melodic and power metal-influenced side of the Swedish heavy music spectrum.

Akilles' music maintains a steady presence on radio stations featured on this website. Their hits are regularly spun on classic rock FM stations and alternative rock radio stations across Europe, particularly in their native Sweden. Online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations also keep the band's catalog in heavy rotation for dedicated hard rock audiences.

Listeners can discover the powerful sound of Akilles on radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their chart-topping rock anthems and deep cuts featured across a variety of dedicated rock formats.