Metal artist’s are mostly seen on stage, or at a “meet & greet”, and when you read an interview it is mostly about upcoming or just released material. All fantastic in every form possible, but sometimes it’s nice to learn something more about the people behind the music!
Sweden has proven itself to be a breeding ground for musicians in general and metal artist’s in perticulair. From all genres, all sizes and all kinds of line-ups, Sweden is known for their innovative way of approaching their music as well as their loyalty and devotion to the scene and fan bases.
One of the household names in Swedish metal is that of drummer Anders Johannson. Son of famous jazz musician Jan Johansson, brother to Stratovarius keyplayer Jens Johansson, and proud father of Karl and Niklas Johansson (Tungsten, Harkla a.o.)! I had the honour to have a talk with Anders about his carreer and other things besides the music!
Hi Anders, First of all thank you for taking time for Maizter Underground. Its a huge honour for us! How are you doing?
Hello there! Thanks for having me! Doing very well, thank you.
People may know you as the former drummer of metal legends as Hammerfall and Yngwie Malmsteen. But you didnt pop out of the ground and became a rockstar instantly. What can you tell me about your youth and live in Sweden at that time?
When I was a kid there were hardly any rockbands that made it outside of Sweden. The prognosis of being a rockstar was slim to none. I really wanted to travel and see the world so I thought there must be a way to combine the music with this urge. I practised all sorts of different music styles so I could join any band. The style of music was not so important. I had my goals set to join ABBA but when I was sort of ready they quit playing. I played in local bands with friends and when our town’s biggest and badest metal band (Silver Mountain) suddenly needed a drummer I asked if I could join. They first were reluctant, me being only 17 and having short hair. But after trying out they were happy. We did a lot of local things and recorded an album but I felt progress was too slow. During this time I suffered thru technical engineering school which I really hated. This just convinced me that was not for me. Also during this period I was in the Swedish navy. Not my cup of tea back then. Nowadays I can more appreachiate things like this. I guess you change with age.
How come you play the drums?
It was when my father played back in the 60s. I saw their drummer. An outgoing and energetic person. Egil Johansen. His son is a famous singer in Sweden. The son is named after my father Jan btw. Egil always had a joke. His kit sparkeled. And I thought being a drummer is the absolute coolest thing one possibly could do. All other instruments didn’t intrerest me at all.
During the 1980’s you joined the band of Swedish Yngwie Malmsteen in America. You were in your early 20’s by than and you moved from Sweden to the USA. How was that?
It was really awesome. It was like chartring new territories on a map. No one really from Sweden had done this before. This was before the band Europe and all the other bands that came later. No one had met Swedish people or even heard of the country. Our language freaked people out as well as our different behaviour.
If im not mistaking, you were part of Yngwie Malmsteen Rising Force for about five years. What made you decide to quit the band?
Things in the band went sour after changing record company and manager. The situation of being in the band started to tend to be more and more like a hired gun. And the usual thing with money. We got just enough to get by. I thought after five years things should at least be as good so we could get something more permanent in the States if we wanted. Not just our bills paid. There was never any bad blood with Yngwie though. He is less developed when it comes to contracts and such. But a terrific guy in general.
By this time you’ve made a name for yourself as an energetic, talented and passionate drummer. This undoubtedly changed your life. Can you tell me more about the way people treated you, and what the effect was on your personal life?
I never really thought so much about it. In music shops and rock clubs I notice that people treat me differently. With more respect. But after three minutes they realize I’m just like any other person. This is the case with almost all musicians really. They are just normal people with a passion. Then you have the real rockstar types but they are usually cool when you are with them one to one. Usually these types are shy or have some psychological issues. They would be the same if they were working in an office but no one would think much of it. Or they would get fired.
All most people see, are the show’s you played and the videoclips that you were part of. Obviously it asks for a lot of determanation and practicing to maintain this high standards. Can you tell me how much time and effort you put in on a daily/weekly basis?
It varies a lot these days. I try in periods to to do one hour a day but things get in the way. But as a kid it was as much as possibly possible. Hours every day. Even x-mas night etc.
During the years you have used several drumkits from several makers. Are the drums you use today more or less the same that you used when you started your career? Or do you use custom drums etc nowadays?
After joinong Yngwie’s band I got endorsed by Pearl and Sabian. Then the kits took a big step up. After that they have held the same quaallity more or less. Top brands are all good. I have Tama now. Nothing custom or special.
Let’s circle back to your career. After your time with Yngwie Malsteen you joined Swedish Hamerfall. A succesfull period followed. What can you tell me about you joining Hammerfall and that period in general?
It was a fun period. I first joined as a session guy but stayed for 15 years. We did a lot of things I hadn’t done before. Traveled to different counties. Being on Swedish game shows etc. Played huge festivals as a normal thing. With Yngwie’s band we never really did the big festivals more than one off here and there. Hammerfall was based in Gothenburg which is only three hours from where I live. So it was very practical as well.
After your period with Hammerfall you started a band of your own with your sons Niklas and Karl. Soon after that joined by leadvocalist Mike Andersson. The band is called Tungsten. What can you tell me about the forming of this band and how things are going at the moment with the band?
I thought after being in other peoples bands it would be an idea to try to do something myself. I asked the best musicians I could think of. We all live close by so it is practical. We are four people so it is easy in cars (enough space). We tought of having a second guitar player at first but: the more chefs… the worse the soup
Right now we are about to release album five. Doing videos and planning the release.
During all these years of shows, festivals, studio’s and so on, what was the best show or venue you ever played?
There are very many cool places. Cool for different reasons. Sometimes the catering might be spectacular. Sometimes the backstage area. Sometimes just the vibe you personally might have that day. All arenas are cool just because there are a lot of people and it feels like a huge sports event. The small clubs are cool too. You can see the people’s faces. I really don’t have a favourite place. I like playing in continental Europe. The small villages. Or the bigger but still nice cities. One might go to a café during the day. Having Apfelstrudel with some strange chocolate drink. That sort of thing. Playing an alp town in Switzerland, with mountains all around. Or like we did with Manowar, playing on the Norwegian islands of Svalbard, way above the arctic circle, that was really cool. Playing Hawaii with Yngwie was also special.
Next to playing in famous bands, you also play as a duo with your bother Jens. What can you tell me about that?
When our father was turning 80 (even though this was imaginairy… he died when he was 37) they asked if we could play on Swedish TV. We said yes… I borrowed an uptight contra bass from Per Stadin the bass player in Silver Mountain. Practised by myself for a few hours. Only two songs. Hadn’t played bass before really. We didn’t even rehearse together before. Like an *sshole I messed up. Of course. But after this we rehearsed and started playing gigs. Nowadays it is a natural ting.
Throughout the years, you played with wellknown artists and bands. Till this day people can approach you to play drums for their musical projects. Is there anyone you played with during this time that impressed you from the start or inspired you in a way you didnt imagine?
Here are some people in general, not just session work though.
CJ Grimmark and Narnia. They impressed me. Playing with greats like Jonas Hellborg impressed me. John Sykes impressed me too. Marty Friedmann… his dedication inspired me, great musician. Unorthodox and very talented. Hammerfall’s dedication. Joey DeMaio’s intrepid dedication and talent. Yngwie of course. Eric Adams…what a pure talent that guy is. Hulkoff. Björn Olsson, Owe… The list goes on… there is a lot of talent out there for sure.
You build your carreer up from the ground till the point it is now. Looking back, are there any things you regret or would have done differently?
Not really and careere moves. Hard to change your personallity I realize. I wish I would have tried to be more outgoing back during the time in Yngwie’s band. Met more people. Kept in contact. Maybe I wish I wouldn’t have been complainging to myself as much in different situations as I did. But hard to change now. Just learn the lesson. Try better now. I wish I would have been even more “in the now”. I still was a lot and tought about it, but even more so.
Besides music, what do you like to do with your spare time?
Go to the gym and do martial arts.
Ham radio
Fixing cars
Shooting rifles
Astronomy
Gadgets in general
You have traveled the world and seen alot. When you’re on tour, do you get the time to visit the country itself aswell? And if so, what made the biggest impression on you?
Yes, I get out. When musicians say they just see airports and hotels they say this because they don’t have the drive to get out. They are lazy. The odd (for me) places. China’s rural areas. South america. Alaska. Hawaii. Svalbard. Japan. Soviet union before the fall. Syria before the war. India. Really happy I got to see all this.
When you started playing drums, did you ever imagined it would end up the way it did? And what if it did not work out, what would you have become?
Noo way! Never thought it was possible.
I was planning reluctantly to become a civil engineer. Glad I didn’t. I’m an ordinairy engineer now though but never worked as one.
After all this looking back, lets take a look to the future. What are youre plans for the coming months? Musicwise that is.
To play with Tungsten and my brother. There are gigs lined up for both bands.
Is there anything else you wish to add?
No, you covered a lot. Very nice questions. Interesting and a bit unusual in an great way!
Well, the honour is hours! Thank you once more for making time for us, and on behalf of Maizter Underground I wish you all the best in all your endavours!
Together with Jens, Anders is preparing for a local Swedish tour as Bröderna Johansson. During these concert’s Jens and Anders play at historical, pitoresque and/or intimate venues bringing jazz music as was played by their father Jan Johansson. Enriching their concert’s with anekdotes and a laugh. More information and tickets can be found here!
Tungsten currently is gaining momentum prior to the release of their 5th studio album, Ashes. After releasing several brand new single’s (accompanied by (lyric) video’s) Ashes will be released on October 9th, 2026 by Perception Label. Furthermore Tungsten is known for their energetic live performances, wich they will display once more this summer during several festival’s, followed by a joined-headliner tour in the fall. To top it all off, Tungsten will embark on a clubtour in the latest stages of 2026 in order to celebrate the release of Ashes. More information and tickets can be found here!
