EDGE OF SANITY

Influential Metal act out of Finspång consisting of Dan Swanö, a major force on the Swedish music scene known for his production and involvement in other acts as diverse as UNICORN, PAN-THY-MONIUM, GODSEND, WOUNDED KNEE and NIGHTINGALE among others. EDGE OF SANITY came together in 1989 upon the disbanding of Swanö's Crossover outfit BREJN DEDD. Guitarist Sami Nerberg was previously with Punk act F.Z.Ö. while Swanö and bassist Anders Lindberg had been in another Punk band by the name of ULANBATOR. The group was completed by guitarist and songwriter Andreas 'Dread' Axelson and drummer Benny Larsson.
EDGE OF SANITY debuted with the 1989 demo tape 'Euthanasia' with 'Kur-Nu-Gi-A', 'The Dead' and 'The Immortal Rehearsals' all following throughout 1990, since which the band managed to sustain a stable line-up. The act signed to the Black Mark label in 1990 recording their debut 'Nothing But Death Remains' at the legendary Montezuma Studios in January 1991, home previously to THERION, HEXENHAUS, BATHORY, CANDLEMASS and CREMATORY among others. Production credits went out to the band and label mentor Börje 'Boss' Forsberg.
A further demo followed in 1992, billed 'Dead But Dreaming' upfront of a second Black Mark album 'Unorthodox'. These sessions included ex-BREJN DEDD man Anders Mareby o. A projected EP, 'When All Is Said', announced for 1993 release, included the MANOWAR cover version 'Blood Of My Enemies'. However, this EP never emerged and EDGE OF SANITY set to work on a third full-length opus, 'Spectral Sorrows', the band tackling 'Blood Of My Enemies' once again. Their 1994 EP 'Until Eternity Ends', assembled from outtakes from 'Spectral Sorrows', contained a version of THE POLICE's hit 'Invisible Sun'.
The band maintained their industrious cycle of releases with the 'Purgatory Afterglow' album in 1994. Do not be fooled by the one credited track on 1996's 'Crimson' album, the song is over 40 minutes in duration. Anders Mareby guested o once again whilst OPETH's Mikael Akerfeldt donated vocals and lead guitar solos. Japanese versions added an exclusive track, 'Murder Dividead'.
Despite a prolific recording schedule various members of EDGE OF SANITY found the time to work on other projects. Guitarist Andreas 'Dread' Axelson contributed to LUCKY SEVEN and also sang lead vocals on MARDUK's first demo 'Fuck Me Jesus' and debut-album 'Dark Endless'. Drummer Benny Larsson also recording with OPHTHALAMIA under the pseudonym 'Winter', whilst Swanö sang lead vocals for Danish Metallers MACERATION on their 'A Serenade Of Agony' album using the pseudo-name of Day Disyraah.
In 1996 Swanö and OPETH vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt created a retro Metal jam project entitled STEEL. Never intended as a serious venture, STEEL nevertheless attracted the attention of Near Dark Productions who issued two STEEL tracks on a picture disc single in 1998.
The 'Infernal' album, released in February 1997, witnessed Andreas Axelson taking over main songwriting duties. Axelson also handled lead vocals on 'The Bleakness Of It All' and 'Helter Skelter'. The second 1997 EDGE OF SANITY album 'Cryptic', arriving in December, found Swanö no longer involved and his position was taken by PAN-THY-MONIUM and DARKIFIED vocalist Roberth 'Robban' Karlsson. In this line-up featuring vocalist Karlsson, Axelson and Nerberg sharing guitar duties, bassist Lindberg, and Larsson behind the drumkit, EDGE OF SANITY did their final tour.
Meanwhile Swanö created the project band BLOODBATH with Mikael Akerfelt and KATATONIA men Blackheim and Jonas Renske in 2000. As 2001 came around Swanö had instigated yet another new band project entitled KARABOUDJAN.
EDGE OF SANITY marked a return to action in 2003 with the album 'Crimson II'. This outing would feature the DEAD SUN, PAGANIZER, DERANGED and BLODSRIT credited Rogga Johansson as guest vocalist alongside erstwhile WITHOUT GRIEF frontman Jonas Granvik. Guitar solos would be donated by MEMORY GARDEN's Simon Johansson and MERCYFUL FATE's Mike Wead whilst Clive Nolan of British Progressive Rock band ARENA contributed lyrical input.
Immediately after the release of this album EDGE OF SANITY was disbanned yet again. Swanö and Johansson would collaborate further, manifesting the RIBSPREADER project that same year and later on DEMIURG as well. Meanwhile Axelson was involved with THE DEADBEATS and THE DONTCARES as well as TORTYR and his new band TORMENTED, also including 'Cryptic' member Karlsson, who in turn has been quite active in FACEBREAKER, DEVIAN, GAST and SCAR SYMMETRY.