The ‍Rise of Ola Englund: A Metal Icon in the Making

Although Ola Englund joined The Haunted 17 years‌ after its inception, his presence has become synonymous with the band, overshadowing even the original members like bassist Jonas Björler and drummer Adrian Erlandsson, who were part of the legendary Swedish death metal group At the Gates.

How ‍Englund Became a Household Name in Metal

Englund’s ascent to fame can be ​attributed to his‍ savvy use of ‍social media. As the dawn of⁢ platforms⁤ like YouTube, he has been producing gear reviews, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content that⁤ have ⁢transformed him into a prominent influencer in the music community. With over 2,300 videos on his channel, his reach is undeniable.

His standout video, Boss Metalzone – worst distortion Pedal​ Ever?,‌ has garnered ‌an‍ impressive 3.8 million⁣ views, while‌ another popular piece, Visiting Dimebag’s Guitar Vault, has attracted over 2.5 million viewers. in total, eleven of his videos⁣ have surpassed the million-view mark.

From Underground to Influencer

“Creating content for ⁤my YouTube channel has been pivotal in my career,” englund reflects. Before his online presence, he played in lesser-known bands. “People ⁣started recognizing‌ me from my videos, appreciating my music and riffs.Many⁢ were curious, asking,⁢ ‘Who is this guy?’”

In 2007, after struggling ‍to gain traction⁤ with his previous bands Subcycde‌ and Facing Death, Englund launched his death/thrash project, Feared, incorporating their tracks into his amp-testing videos. By 2010,he had built a loyal following,leading fellow musicians to offer him their ⁢gear for reviews.

“Musicians began⁢ reaching out, saying, ‘It would be ⁢awesome if you could demo my amplifier,’” Englund recalls from his home in Stockholm, just before heading to a music convention in China to promote his Solar Guitars brand. “I found myself driving across Sweden,picking up and returning rare amps for reviews. I was likely one of the first guitarists to do this.”

A Career Shift​ and New Opportunities

Recognizing the potential of his channel, Englund left his accounting job to fully commit to music and video ⁤production. In⁤ 2012,popular YouTuber ‍Ben Eller introduced him to Chris Barnes,the frontman ⁢of Six‍ Feet Under,who was⁢ in search of a new guitarist. after watching Englund’s videos, Barnes invited ⁢him to join the band.

Englund toured extensively with Six Feet Under⁤ throughout 2012 and co-wrote two tracks for their⁣ 2013 album, Unborn. However,shortly after its release,he made the decision ‍to join The Haunted,stepping in‌ for⁤ founding member Anders Björler.

“I had a fantastic experience with six Feet Under, but it ⁢made more sense for me to join The haunted ⁤as they are‍ also based in Sweden,” Englund explains.

Returning to Roots with The Haunted

Englund’s debut album with The Haunted,Exit Wounds (2014),marked a‌ return to their melodic death metal roots,contrasting ⁢with the more mainstream sound of their previous album,Unseen (2011). However, following its release, the band scaled back their⁣ activities as Björler and Erlandsson focused on reviving at the Gates.

What ⁢initially seemed like a setback for Englund turned into a fortuitous possibility. He ended up composing three-quarters of the music⁣ for The Haunted’s 2017‌ album, Strength in​ Numbers, ⁢while also dedicating time ‍to his YouTube channel, which had grown to over⁢ 380,000 ​subscribers by 2019.

“My channel has never experienced a meteoric rise,” Englund notes,⁣ now boasting over 900,000 subscribers. “It’s been a consistent journey with steady growth. I didn’t have a ​sudden spike in views that I couldn’t maintain, which frequently enough leads to ⁣subscriber loss. I ⁣just keep doing what I ‌love and continue to attract viewers.”

New Music and Inspirations

Along with enhancing his channel, Englund has collaborated with guitarist Patrik Jensen and Björler on new material for The Haunted’s tenth⁣ album. The result, Songs of Last Resort, is a powerful blend of death-thrash, drawing inspiration from metal legends like Entombed, Carcass, Slayer, Testament, and Pantera.

“Pantera is probably my biggest influence,” Englund shares. “I discovered them‌ along with bands like Bolt Thrower and Testament early in my ⁢metal journey. dimebag was a revelation for me. After falling in love with Pantera, I went out and got a black Dime Washburn. His guitar work was something to aspire to, even if I never thought I could reach⁤ that level.”

THE HAUNTED SWEDEN ROCK 2024 – YouTube

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Ola Englund: The Journey of‌ a Metal Guitar Virtuoso

Ola Englund may ⁣have joined The ⁣Haunted long after‍ its inception, but his influence and recognition in the metal community⁣ have far surpassed that of ⁤many original members, including Jonas Björler⁤ and Adrian Erlandsson, who were part ‌of the iconic ⁤Swedish death metal band ⁤At the Gates.

The Rise of a‌ YouTube Sensation

Englund’s rise to fame can ⁢be traced back to his innovative use of social media. As the early days of YouTube, he has been producing engaging content, including​ gear reviews, interviews, and⁣ live reports, which have established him as a ​leading figure in the online music scene. With over 2,300 videos on his channel, his ⁣impact is meaningful.

His most viewed ⁣video, Boss Metalzone – Worst Distortion Pedal ever?, has amassed over 3.8 ​million views, while another hit,⁣ Visiting Dimebag’s Guitar Vault, has attracted more than 2.5 million viewers. In total, he boasts eleven videos with over a​ million views each.

Transforming Passion into Recognition

“Creating‌ content ⁤for my youtube channel has been crucial to my success,” Englund reflects. Before his online presence, he played in underground bands. “People began‌ to recognize me from my videos, appreciating my music and riffs. Many were curious, asking, ‘Who is this guy?’”

In 2007, after struggling to gain traction with ​his ​previous bands Subcycde⁤ and Facing Death, Englund launched his‌ death/thrash project, Feared, incorporating their tracks into‍ his amp-testing videos. By 2010, he had cultivated a dedicated following, leading fellow musicians to offer him their gear for reviews.

“Musicians started reaching out,‍ saying, ‘It would be great if you⁢ could demo my amplifier,’” Englund recalls from his home in Stockholm, just⁤ before heading to a music convention in China to promote his Solar Guitars brand. “I⁣ found myself driving across Sweden,picking up and returning rare amps ‍for reviews. I was likely one of the first guitarists ⁣to do this.”

A Career Shift and New Opportunities

Recognizing the potential ⁢of his channel, Englund left his accounting job ⁢to fully ‍commit to music and video production. In 2012, popular​ youtuber Ben Eller introduced him to ⁤Chris Barnes, the ⁣frontman of⁤ Six ⁤Feet Under, who was in search of‌ a new guitarist.After watching‌ Englund’s videos,Barnes invited him to⁢ join the band.

Englund toured ⁤extensively with Six Feet Under throughout 2012 and co-wrote two⁤ tracks​ for their ‌2013 album, Unborn. Though, shortly after its release, he made the decision to join The Haunted,⁣ stepping in for founding member Anders Björler.

“I had ‌a fantastic experience with Six Feet Under, but it made more sense for ‍me to join The Haunted since they are also based in Sweden,” Englund explains.

returning ‌to Roots with the‍ Haunted

Englund’s debut album ‍with The Haunted, Exit Wounds (2014),⁤ marked a return to their melodic death‍ metal roots, contrasting with ‍the more mainstream sound of ‍their previous album, ⁢ Unseen (2011). However, following its release, the band scaled back their activities as Björler and Erlandsson focused on‍ reviving At the ‌Gates.

What initially seemed like a setback for Englund turned into a fortuitous opportunity. He ended up composing three-quarters of the music for The Haunted’s​ 2017 album, Strength in Numbers, while also dedicating time to his YouTube‌ channel, which had grown⁢ to over 380,000 subscribers by‌ 2019.

“My channel has never experienced ⁤a meteoric rise,” Englund notes, ‌now boasting over 900,000 subscribers. “It’s been a consistent journey with ⁢steady growth. ⁤I didn’t ‍have a sudden spike in views that⁤ I couldn’t maintain, which often leads to subscriber loss. I just‌ keep doing what⁤ I love and continue to attract viewers.”

New Music and ​Inspirations

in addition to enhancing his channel, Englund has collaborated with guitarist Patrik Jensen and Björler on new material for The ⁢Haunted’s tenth album.The result, Songs of Last Resort,‍ is a powerful blend of death-thrash, drawing‍ inspiration from metal legends like Entombed, Carcass, Slayer, Testament, and Pantera.

“Pantera is probably my biggest influence,” englund shares. “I discovered them along with ⁢bands like Bolt Thrower and Testament early in my metal journey. Dimebag was a revelation for me. After falling in love with Pantera, I went out and got a black Dime Washburn. His guitar work was something to aspire to, even if I never thought I could reach that level.”

THE ⁢HAUNTED SWEDEN ROCK 2024 – YouTube

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As a guitarist, ‌is it essential ⁣to aim for a level beyond your current skills?

Absolutely.I’ve always enjoyed pushing my ​limits⁣ and working hard. It keeps me sharp and prevents complacency.

Some musicians thrive on touring while others prefer studio work.You seem to enjoy recording.

I’ve always been ​passionate about crafting riffs and songs, which is why I enjoy writing original content for my YouTube channel. Early on, I noticed that many YouTubers who played ⁤covers faced⁣ shutdowns or⁢ demonetization. This motivated ​me to focus solely on original⁣ material, allowing me creative freedom without restrictions.

Alongside your work with​ The ⁤Haunted, you’ve released two solo albums and two albums based on riffs from‌ your show, Sunday with Ola.​ Do ‌you⁣ find the writing process easy?

Not always.‌ For‌ The‍ Haunted, creating an album feels like assembling a jigsaw puzzle⁣ with ⁤mixed pieces. You work through it, and eventually, the complete picture emerges. ​Reaching that point is ⁤incredibly rewarding, but it can be frustrating until everything falls into place.

Songs ‍of Last Resort is an intriguing title.Will this be the band’s final release?

Absolutely not. Letters of Last Resort is the concluding track, which reflects on letters sent home during wartime. The album title is ⁢merely a nod to that theme. ⁤Jensen took the lead on this album, feeling⁤ the need to create a series​ of heavy tracks, and he tuned down, which is not something ⁤we typically do. The songs are heavily riff-oriented and have a dark ‍tone. I contributed my part, but it wasn’t ⁤until Jensen completed his‌ songs that we felt the album was truly finished.

You⁤ were born in Stockholm in 1981. Did you have ⁤a happy childhood, or did challenges and conflicts shape your interest in ⁣aggressive music?

I had a wonderful upbringing. Coming from a musical⁢ family, my father played guitar and was a huge fan of Chet Atkins and that‌ chicken-pickin’ style.He never pressured ‍me to play but was always supportive. I picked up the guitar at 13 and took lessons. The first riffs I learned were Smoke on the Water ⁤and Proud Mary. while those⁣ were⁣ fun,​ I was more into rock and wanted⁤ to play‌ Nirvana songs.

That explains why your first⁢ guitar was a Fender Mustang. What was your first amplifier?

I worked hard‍ during⁢ the summer ‌when I‍ was 15 and saved up to buy a ’94 Mesa Boogie Rectifier with a cabinet. the ‌problem was, I had no idea how to set it up. I didn’t even use a boost as I⁣ didn’t know how. It sounded incredibly loud when I played ⁤it, but it wasn’t until I saw others plug into it with guitars that had EMG pickups ⁤that I realized, ‘Wow, that sounds very different.’

That’s when I⁣ began to understand that they were pushing the pre-amp. I started reading about guitars and learned how to use a Tube Screamer – you ⁤know, the Scott‌ Ian trick – to get the guitar ‌to really chug.

Have you ever played a seven- or⁢ eight-string guitar?

Steve Vai played the Ibanez Universe,and Meshuggah used seven-strings,so I went through that phase. I liked that you didn’t have to tune the ⁣guitar down; it was already in B. In 1997, I got the first production Ibanez RG7620. I actually traded my Washburn‌ dimebag for it. However, in 2008, I switched back to six-string guitars since I felt I ⁤was a much better guitarist with ​six ‍strings. It’s just one less string to manage, and I typically use standard D⁣ or drop-C tuning.

Stockholm has birthed ‍some legendary death metal​ bands,including Entombed,Opeth,and Dismember. Were you part of that scene?

I was born about a decade too late, but​ the scene they created was‍ unbelievable. They all used the Boss HM-2 pedal, cranked it up, and that became the iconic ‌chainsaw sound of Stockholm death metal. I appreciate that simplicity as it originated from kids in their rehearsal spaces wanting to create something heavy, so they turned the knobs all​ the way up and forged a new sound.

Even though you were younger than the members of bands from the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene,‌ did you feel a connection with ⁢In Flames, At the Gates, and The Haunted?

I loved all of that music.The name of my death metal band,‍ Feared, was‌ inspired by The Haunted; I always thought it was a cool name, and I was a fan from the very beginning. ​I enjoy strong melodies in ⁤heavy music, ⁣so joining them was a dream come true.

You transitioned from being a guitarist in Feared and a ‍budding youtuber to establishing⁢ yourself in‌ the online​ guitar community and joining Six Feet Under.‌ Can you identify the moment when your career began to⁣ take off?

My​ significant breakthrough occurred in 2012 when I attended NAMM for‍ the first time.⁤ Before that, I was just making videos and watching views‌ on⁣ a screen, ​unsure if they were genuine. At NAMM, people recognized me and expressed gratitude for my videos.It ⁤was an eye-opening experience. ⁢I thought, ‘Wow, these are real ​people, and many of them bought a specific amp as of me.’⁣ That realization boosted my confidence.

Was there a gradual progression from that point?

Things moved quickly. I was fortunate to have quit my accounting job, as a month later, Chris Barnes contacted me about the Six Feet Under position. I saw that as a fast track into the‍ touring world. One of my first shows with them was at the Wacken ⁤Festival in Germany, performing in front of 45,000 people.I was used to playing for 20 or 30 people in⁢ a pub. I went from zero‌ to being on a⁤ tour⁣ bus.

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Elevating ⁢Your YouTube Game: Insights from Ola Englund

To thrive on YouTube, constant ‍reinvention is key. ​How did you enhance your ⁣channel?

Until 2015, my content was purely focused on writing and performing music,‌ with no⁣ spoken commentary-just text on the screen. Then I took the plunge‍ and started speaking on camera, which felt incredibly awkward at first-and still does at times.However, this‍ shift ⁣transformed my channel entirely.Viewers became more engaged as they could finally connect with‌ the voice behind the‌ Swedish guitarist.

Innovative Content: The Birth of “Will It Chug?”

Your series on amplifiers and ⁤pedals, titled Will It Chug?, has gained significant popularity. What sparked that idea?

I noticed that many creators were producing⁢ similar​ performance and amplifier demos, just like I was. I thought, ‘If I want to stand ⁣out, I need to innovate.’⁣ So, I decided to ‌take various pieces of gear and challenge myself to make them sound metal. The first episode featured an Orange amp, ⁤which⁢ isn’t typically associated with metal tones. But​ with a Tube Screamer, it can ⁢definitely deliver a heavy sound.

BEST GUITAR ⁣STORE FOR METAL… – YouTube

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After your time with washburn, you ⁣founded Solar guitars in 2017. What motivated you to create ​your own brand?

I had a ⁣prosperous partnership with Washburn, were I contributed designs that were well-received.Though, as a social media influencer, I recognized the need for speed in the industry. the traditional processes at Washburn-designing, manufacturing, and distributing‌ guitars-were too slow, often taking‌ about ​a year before a customer could‌ actually purchase a guitar.This delay was frustrating, especially knowing there was demand for my designs.

once my three-year contract ended, I contemplated staying for another term, but ⁤I realized I could achieve ​much more by starting my⁢ own venture. A colleague from Washburn had just left, so I reached out to him, and we decided to establish a company that‍ would sell directly to consumers. we understood what the audience wanted as they communicated their needs to us. ‌I took my ⁤designs from⁣ Washburn,and together we launched Solar ⁤guitars ‍in late 2017,starting with 300 guitars ready for immediate sale. Our growth‍ has been rapid.

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Ola Englund: Navigating Change ‍and Creativity​ in the Metal Scene

To thrive on YouTube,​ constant reinvention is ‍essential.How did you elevate your channel?

Before 2015, my content was strictly focused ‍on music creation and performance, with no verbal commentary-just text on the screen. Then, I decided to start⁤ speaking on camera, which felt incredibly ‍awkward at first-and still does at times. However, this change significantly transformed my channel.Viewers became more engaged as ‍they could finally‍ connect with the voice behind the Swedish guitarist.

innovative Content: The Birth of “Will It Chug?”

Your series on amplifiers‍ and pedals, titled will It Chug?, has gained significant popularity. ‌What inspired ‌that idea?

I noticed that many creators were producing similar‍ performance and amplifier demos, just like ⁣I was. I thought, ‘If I want to stand ⁣out, I need⁣ to innovate.’ ⁤So, ‍I‍ decided to take various pieces​ of gear and challenge myself to make them sound metal.The first episode featured an Orange amp, which isn’t typically associated with metal tones. But with a Tube Screamer, it can definitely‍ deliver a heavy sound.

BEST GUITAR STORE FOR METAL…- ⁢YouTube

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Tragically, At the Gates vocalist ‌Tomas Lindberg passed away from cancer in September 2025. How⁤ has this affected you and your bandmates?

We shared a close‌ bond, and I have many fond⁢ memories of ‍him. The band had ‌been aware of his health issues for quite some time,and while we knew he wouldn’t be able to perform,he seemed⁢ to be improving. During​ our album‌ recording, he visited the studio, and everyone thought he was doing well.

He had undergone surgery and had a slightly altered voice, ​but his spirit remained unchanged. He was always upbeat, and we thought that even if he couldn’t continue with At the Gates, ⁤at ‌least he ‍would⁢ be okay. Then, in the spring, his condition suddenly worsened. Hearing about his passing was ⁢devastating, but it felt‌ like we had been in mourning as the spring.

Impact on The Haunted

How will Tomas’ passing influence The Haunted?

When At the Gates was touring, The Haunted had to coordinate‍ schedules ‍to avoid overlapping shows. Moving forward,‍ this might mean The haunted will have more opportunities to perform, and ⁣we may spend more time together as a band, reducing the gap between album releases.

we’re already in talks about a new album ⁣as there’s⁣ a strong ⁢desire within ‌the band. The vibe is incredibly positive. I’ve begun writing songs for the ‌next album because I feel a strong urge to create. I believe we’ll have a new album out sooner rather ⁣than later.