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In 1999 FALCONER recorded a demo as a solo project by Stefan Weinerhall (ex-MITHOTYN), and Mathias Blad was found to do the vocals as a session member. The demo got them a contract with Metal Blade. Stefan’s old MITHOTYN pal Karsten joined on drums and the project became more of a band.
The debut album “Falconer” was released in March 2001. The response to the album was better than the band had expected. By the time the album was released, FALCONER didn’t have any plans whatsoever to promote it live, allowing them to function in this reduced line-up. But with success came the wishes from the fans to see the band in concert, so they started considering the idea.
Exactly one year after the last recording session FALCONER returned to the studio to record “Chapters From A Vale Forlorn”, which was released in March 2002. Joining the band’s touring line-up were Anders Johansson on second guitar and Peder Johansson on bass. In order to play live more they had to get a new vocalist, since Mathias had a tight schedule at work and couldn’t give the band more time. They split amicably in November 2002.
Kristoffer Göbel, also the vocalist in the band DESTINY, got to fill his shoes. In November 2003 the new album “Sceptre of deception” was released. After its release the band embarked on a small tour of Europe.
More problems soon arose as Anders and Peder left/got fired from the band, leaving no one unsatisfied with that decision. They argued they had to travel too far to rehearse, while the band needed a bass player who always attended rehearsals and a “real” lead guitarist. In September 2004 the whole line up was complete again with Jimmy Hedlund (guitar) and Magnus Linhardt (bass).
In May 2005 “Grime vs. grandeur” was released, but it wasn’t the typical FALCONER album. Although the record was great, most opinions were that it didn’t fit under the FALCONER moniker. Slowly the band started to realise this, too. As the song writing for a next album progressed, folk music and epic metal found it’s way back into the band’s style more and more. Stefan felt that to do this material justice, it had to be sung by former member Mathias Blad.
In November 2005 Mathias’ return was official, just by the time most of the new material was finished. So does this mean there won’t be any live activity in the future since the first split with him was because of this matter? Well, the band will play live, but pick the gigs worth rehearsing for.
The new album “Northwind” was recorded in February/July 2006, and will be released during the fall, with the first edition containing a bonus of 4 Swedish traditional songs and a recording documentary video.
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