Author: roppongirocks

In the past, he has played bass for Annihilator and sung for Skull Fist. Now Brian Stephenson fronts fierce punk rock band Fore and creates terrific rock music with his own band Old James.

Swedish guitarist and vocalist Dregen first made a name for himself with Backyard Babies. Then he co-founded The Hellacopters and later joined Michael Monroe’s band.

Before he made it big with Europe, drummer Ian Haugland auditioned and was offered a place in Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force (he turned it down) and played with Candlemass’ Leif Edling in the band Trilogy.

American vocalist Derrick Green has been fronting Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura since he successfully auditioned to join the band in 1997. Prior to joining Sepultura, Derrick sang in the American bands Outface and Alpha Jerk.

New Yorker and guitarist Ross Friedman, aka Ross The Boss, first made a name for himself with punk rockers The Dictators. In 1980, he co-founded heavy metal band Manowar.

Guitarist Lars Chriss co-founded the Swedish heavy metal band Lion’s Share in 1987.

Mia Wallace is the bassist for thrash metal band Nervosa and black metal band Abbath. The Italian musician is also playing with Niryth and Kirlian Camera.

Ronnie Bergerståhl was the drummer for the Swedish death metal band Grave for more than a decade.

Fred Estby co-founded the pioneering Swedish death metal band Dismember in 1988. Here he shares details about the five albums that changed his life.