Helltrain sounds like a bar fight in a haunted carnival. They take the foundational aggression of Swedish melodic death metal and inject it with a massive dose of 70s rock-n-roll swing and punk rock attitude. The result is a sound they call 'rot-n-roll,' characterized by thick, distorted guitars that share the spotlight with a surprisingly prominent and soulful Hammond organ.
What truly sets them apart is the groove. While their peers often lean into technicality or blast beats, Helltrain prioritizes a mid-tempo, head-nodding rhythm that feels more like Motorhead than Morbid Angel. The vocals are a sandpaper-rough rasp that remains surprisingly catchy, delivering hooks that stick in your head long after the track ends. It is music that feels lived-in, sweaty, and unpretentiously fun.
Start with the album Route 666. It perfectly encapsulates their signature blend of organ-heavy melodies and driving rock energy. It is the ideal gateway for someone who loves the bite of metal but misses the swagger of classic rock.
Helltrain is a Swedish death 'n' roll band formed in Luleå in 2002 by Pierre Törnkvist, Oscar Karlsson and Patrik Törnkvist. The current line-up consists of Pierre Törnkvist (vocals), Patrik Törnkvist (guitars, keyboards), Mikael Sandorf (guitars), Markus Parkkila (bass) and Fredrik Andersson (drums). Mikael and Mats joined Helltrain after their original band, The Duskfall disbanded in 2008. Helltrain has released one EP (The 666 EP) and three studio albums (Route 666, Rock n' Roll Devil, and Death Is Coming). Two singles ("Wolfnight" and "On Your Knees") were released in 2018. A new single ("Mischief") was released in 2023.
Shares death 'n' roll, melodic death metal, hard rock, gravelly (signature)
Shares punk rock, hard rock, rebellious, raspy (subgenre)
Shares punk rock, hard rock, rebellious, raspy (subgenre)
Shares hard rock, gravelly, rebellious, aggressive (subgenre)
Shares punk rock, hard rock, gravelly, rebellious (subgenre)
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