Maninnya Blade

One of Sweden's first homegrown heavy metal bands, Maninnya Blade emerged out of the small northern town of Boden in 1980 and featured Leif Eriksson handling vocals and guitar, Nicke Johansson on lead guitar, Jan "Blomman" Blomqvist on bass, and Ingemar Lundberg on drums. Future Hexenhaus and King Diamond guitarist Mikael Vikström (aka Mike Wead) was briefly involved with the group before relocating to Stockholm, and his replacement, Jerry Rutström, arrived in time to participate in Maninnya Blade's self-financed and released debut single, "Barbarian" (b/w "Ripper Attack"), in 1984. By the fall of 1985, the band felt ready to try their luck in the Swedish capital and, once there, were soon recording their debut album, Merchants in Metal, for release through Killerwatt Records in 1986. The disc received some positive reviews for its raw, aggressive brand of heavy metal, but naturally proved far too abrasive for mainstream tastes; consistent touring throughout Sweden helped to raise Maninnya Blade's profile somewhat, but didn't put much dough in their pockets; and when the bandmates made the ill-fated decision to cram into a communal house, internal tensions and musical differences (if not arguments over house-cleaning duties) quickly led to their breakup. Some members subsequently teamed up with old friend Mike Wead to found thrash metal band Hexenhaus, but the Maninnya Blade name would also occasionally be resurrected in years to come, for the release of the odds 'n' sods collection A Demonic Mistress from the Past in 2001 as well as a reunion gig or two. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide