220 Volt (band)

Lore & Background

220 Volt began their career in 1979 but gained traction with the 1982 single 'Prisoner Of War'. After a radio station in New Jersey aired the song, it became a popular hit, prompting CBS Records to offer a contract. Their self-titled debut album sold about 10,000 copies in Sweden alone, and the band found audiences in Japan, Germany, and the United States. They toured with Nazareth in 1984 (12 concerts).

The band disbanded in 1992 but reformed in 2002 with the original lineup, performing concerts in Jämtland and elsewhere in Sweden. In 2003 they released a compilation album, Volume 1, limited to 1000 printed copies but later made available on iTunes. In 2005, they issued their first live album, Made in Jämtland. Drummer Peter Hermansson left in 2008, returned in 2012, and remains active as of the article's writing.

In 1987, the band released an EP titled Heavy Christmas. Former lead vocalist Jocke Lundholm returned for this recording, which also featured Björn Höglund of Hoven Droven.

Reader's Guide

220 Volt holds a notable place in Swedish heavy metal history as one of the early bands from the country to achieve international radio play and major label contracts. Their breakthrough via a New Jersey radio station illustrates the global reach of metal in the early 1980s. The band's ability to reform after a decade-long hiatus and continue releasing material, including a live album and a holiday-themed EP, demonstrates enduring fan interest. Their tours with established acts like Nazareth and AC/DC further cemented their reputation. The limited-edition compilation Volume 1 and its later digital release reflect the transition from physical to digital music distribution. While not a household name, 220 Volt's persistence and cross-border appeal make them a representative example of the era's underground metal scene.

Did You Know?

• The band's first single 'Prisoner Of War' became a hit after being played on a radio station in New Jersey.
• Their debut album sold around 10,000 copies in Sweden alone.
• They performed 12 concerts with Nazareth in 1984.
• The compilation Volume 1 was limited to 1000 printed copies but later made available on iTunes.

Origins and the Road to a Major Label

220 Volt traces its roots to 1979, when two Swedish guitarists, Thomas Drevin and Mats Karlsson, joined forces to form the band. Although the group had been active since that founding year, it was not until 1982 that their fortunes shifted dramatically. The release of their debut single, "Prisoner of War," caught the attention of a radio station in New Jersey, where it quickly climbed into the local hit charts. That unexpected transatlantic buzz proved to be the catalyst the band needed: CBS Records, hearing the buzz, extended them a recording contract. Their self-titled debut album arrived in 1983 on the CBS label and moved roughly ten thousand copies within Sweden itself. Beyond their home country, the band cultivated audiences in Japan, Germany, and the United States, establishing themselves as a cross-border heavy metal act. Over the following years they would also work with Epic Records, broadening their international footprint further.

Peak Years and International Touring

The mid-1980s represented 220 Volt's commercial zenith. After the debut, the band delivered Powergames in 1984 and Mind Over Muscle in 1985, both on CBS, before shifting to Epic for 1988's Eye to Eye. Their 1985 U.S.-market compilation Electric Messengers, issued by Epic, underscored the label's confidence in their American appeal. On the live front, the band secured two notable support slots that showcased their growing stature: a twelve-date run with Nazareth in 1984 and a seven-concert tour alongside AC/DC in 1986. These high-profile pairings helped cement their following in Germany, Japan, and the United States, markets where they had already built a foothold. The 1987 release of the Heavy Christmas EP and the Young and Wild compilation further extended their catalog during this fertile period, giving fans a broader cross-section of their songwriting.

Disbandment, Reunion, and Later Releases

The original run of 220 Volt came to an end in 1992, and the band went quiet for a decade. In 2002 the original lineup reunited and immediately began organizing concerts in Jämtland and other Swedish venues. That same year they issued Volume 1, a compilation blending fresh material with highlights from their Sweden Rock 2002 performance; the physical pressing was capped at one thousand copies, though a digital version later appeared on iTunes. In 2005 the band put out Made in Jämtland, their first live album, documenting those regional gigs. Drummer Peter Hermansson departed at the close of 2008 but rejoined in 2012 and has remained in the lineup since. A notable 2009 release, Heavy Christmas – Revisited, offered updated takes on the classic single plus three additional tracks, with former frontman Jocke Lundholm returning to the mic and Björn Höglund of Hoven Droven contributing on drums. The band also saw the 1997 album Lethal Illusion, recorded between 1989 and 1992, receive a digital release in 2009, and they followed with Walking in Starlight in 2014.

A Band in Constant Motion: Lineup Evolution

220 Volt's personnel history reads like a rolling roster. The founding duo of Drevin and Karlsson has been the constant anchor, but the supporting cast has turned over repeatedly. Early bassist Tommy Hellström and drummer Pelle Hansson gave way to Mike Krusenberg and Peter Hermansson, while the lead vocal chair cycled through Christer Nääs, Jocke Lundholm, and others. After the 1992 split, several members briefly assembled a side project called Voltergeist in 1992–1993, adding guitarist Peter Olander and vocalist Per Englund to the mix. Post-2002, Nääs returned on vocals until 2008, followed by Anders Engberg (2013–2015), Göran Nyström (2016–2024), and most recently Fredrik Nordh from 2024. Bass has seen Mats Vassfjord since 2016, while the drum chair has included session players like Björn Höglund, David Wallin, and Peter Lundgren at various points. Hermansson, who has been on hiatus since 2020 due to injury, remains a listed member. This perpetual reshuffling has kept the band's sound in flux while the twin-guitar core has held steady.