Destiny (band)
Swedish heavy metal band formed in 1980, known for dark rock.
Destiny is a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 1980 by bassist Stefan Björnshög and guitarist Magnus Österman. The band has released seven albums, with their debut Beyond All Sense appearing in 1985 and their latest, Climate Change, in October 2016. They categorize their music as 'mörk rock' (dark rock). Stefan Björnshög is the only remaining original member.
- formed
- 1980
- origin
- Sweden
- genre
- Heavy metal (mörk rock)
- years_active
- 1980–present
- albums
- 7
- founders
- Stefan Björnshög, Magnus Österman
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Gothenburg
- Genre
- Heavy metal
- Years Active
- 1980–present
- Label
- GMR Music Group
- Website
- destinymetal.com
- Current Members
- Jonas Heidgert / Stefan Björnshög / Michael Åberg / Veith Offenbächer / Kane Svantesson
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Destiny began when bassist Stefan Björnshög met guitarist Magnus Österman in 1980, initially forming a band called Hexagon before renaming it Destiny. After a 1982 demo with singer Therese Hanseroth, vocalist Håkan Ring joined. Their debut album Beyond All Sense was recorded in December 1984 at Studio Bohus in Kungälv, with main instrumentation recorded live in one day. The album was later re-recorded with Kristoffer Göbel in 2005.
The band's second album, Atomic Winter (1988), featured new singer Zenny Hansson and cover art by Derek Riggs, known for Iron Maiden artwork. It received positive international press, leading to a promotional tour in Germany and the Benelux area. The third album, Nothing Left to Fear, faced label disputes over cover art and recording, leading Destiny to sign with Active Records; it was released in June 1991.
After vocalist changes and a hiatus, the band released The Undiscovered Country in 1998, followed by Future of the Past in 2004. A re-recorded debut, Beyond All Sense 2005, included a bonus DVD. After years of inactivity, the band released Climate Change (2016), featuring new vocalist Jonas Heidgert and a mix of re-recorded and early songs.
Reader's Guide
Destiny's significance lies in their persistence through decades of lineup changes and shifting musical climates, maintaining a distinct 'mörk rock' identity. Their debut album, recorded in a single day, exemplifies early Swedish heavy metal. The band's association with notable figures like Derek Riggs (cover art) and tours with Savatage highlight their place in the international metal scene. Despite limited commercial success, their later album Climate Change received positive reviews, demonstrating enduring relevance. The band's history reflects the challenges of independent metal acts in the 1990s, with label disputes and resource constraints. Their legacy is one of resilience, with founder Stefan Björnshög as the sole constant member.
Did You Know?
- The band originally formed under the name Hexagon before changing to Destiny.
- Their debut album Beyond All Sense had its main instrumentation recorded live in a single day.
- Cover artist Derek Riggs, famous for Iron Maiden artwork, created the art for Atomic Winter.
- The band's latest album Climate Change was released in October 2016.
More in Swedish heavy metal musical groups 1-24
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