Lars Eric Mattsson

Lars Eric Mattsson is a guitarist, songwriter and producer living on the Åland Islands, Finland.

General information

Lars is a true veteran of the music business having played in bands and later as a solo artist since the late 1970s. Lars's first instrument was the bass, and it was not until he was over 20 years old that he switched to the guitar.
Initially influenced by the classic-hard rock of the late 60s and 70s like Jimi Hendrix, Richie Blackmore, Johnny Winter but also Al DiMeola, Lars later became one of the early developers of the neoclassical metal genre. Lars was discovered by Mike Varney in 1985. After playing and touring with various local hard rock bands Lars recorded and released the 4 track vinyl EP “Can’t Go On Without Your Love” in 1987. Soon after this Lars signed to Black Dragon Records, a French indie label for which he recorded 3 albums Eternity, No Surrender and the all instrumental Electric Voodoo. Eternity and No Surrender were released in Japan by FEMS, while the instrumental Electric Voodoo was picked up by Leviathan Records in USA and released under the Title “The Exciter” in 1992, and then in 1995 it was released in Asia by SKC.
In 1992 Lars teamed up with Swedish singer Conny Lind who had been in Los Angeles working with Alex Masi and together with Drummer Tony Mattsson and Bass player Michael Ahlskog they formed the band 'Vision' and recorded 1992's album 'Lars Eric Mattsson's Vision' which went down very well specially in Japan where it was once again released by FEMS and in Europe by Roadrunner. The year after Vision recorded a follow up album, which was never released due to the label's coming bankruptcy and the band eventually split up. Around 1994 when Lars was found playing in cover bands doing blues classics and Hendrix covers Lars got in contact with another Swedish singer Björn Lodin, who had released some albums with his own band Baltimoore. As the band split up Björn joined forces with Lars And recorded 1995's album 'Astral Groove', which was blues based and quite different from Lars previous releases. However the band split up too soon and Lars was actually considering quitting music completely for a while.
In 1996 Lars wanted to give 'Vision' a second chance and recorded the album 'Till the End of Time' which was his most laid back melodic- almost AOR - release ever. The album got very good reactions and was a living proof that melodic hard rock still had an audience. Singer Randolph Reymers made his debut as lead singer after having sung backing vocals on several albums before Vision.
As VISION was taking a break from recording Lars went into in studio at the end of August 1997 with a bunch of new songs which definitely showed that hard work pays off. This new album was Lars finest hour thus far in 'Obsession' with his best guitar playing ever as well as some of his better compositions. Add to that singer Björn Lodin who never sounded this good before! The reviews of 'Obsession' were excellent, Progression magazine of USA called the album 1998's best Guitar album and it was clear to everyone that Lars had taken a major step forward, but Lars felt it was just the beginning of a new era.
In autumn 1999 Lars begun writing for another album and just to make things more interesting Lars invited some friends and well known musicians to guest on the project. These included: Patrick Rondat Rob Johnson, Erik Norlander Pär Lindh Esa Pietilä and more... The new 70+ minute long opus consists of 14 new compositions jam packed with Intense musical ideas influenced by classical music, classic hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock/metal with lots of virtuoso performances from Lars and his guests. Soft melodic ballads and super tight odd meter riffing – it's all here!
In 2000 Lars put together a progressive band called 'Condition Red', the debut album features keyboard maestro Derek Sherinian and Lars’ friend Alex Masi. Lars next project was to record a new Mattsson album, this time with ex-Balance of Power singer Lance King, and the result,'Power Games' was released in 2003 and received fantastic reviews all over the world.
In 2003 Condition Red reformed to record and release their second album of progressive rock titled “II”, not too long after this Lars band from the 90-ies made a short comeback in 2004 with a new album “On the Edge”, however Lars major work in 2004 was the new super group 'Book Of Reflections' which include singer Andy Engberg, Vitalij Kuprij etc...but Lars biggest challenge this far was the progressive metal concept album/metal opera 'War' which was released in 2005 and which features: Mark Boals, Vitalij Kuprij, Lance King, Rene Janssen, Benny Jansson etc...
The same year also saw the first instrumental release in 10 years in the guise of the eclectic "Earthbound". Mattsson found a new vein of creativity and by 2006 had completed "Book Of Reflections II : Unfold The Future" with vocals by Martin LeMar and Björn Jansson, with additional guitar from Anand Mahangoe and keyboards from Mistheria.
2008 saw Mattsson gearing up for the accessible symphonic and prog metal of 'Dream Child'. Joining Lars was new vocalist, the female Adrienn Antal whosevoice saw Mattsson step out on a new path with its potent new sound for 2008.
2009 saw the re-release of a newly recorded and remastered version of' 'No Surrender + Live which came with five bonus live tracks from the Mattsson archives. The album was warmly greeted by press worldwide. The rest of the year saw Lars write the follow up to 'Dream Child'.
March 19, 2010 sees the release of 'Tango', the new album released under the Mattsson banner which again sees Adrienn Antal on vocals along with new addition of Status Minor vocalist Markku Kuikka. Lars spent countless hours putting together the intelligent and highly accomplished music which looks set to take the Mattsson name to a new fan base worldwide.
Never one to sit still Lars then set about composing the music for his next album, the all instrumental 'Aurura Borealis' which is set for release on April 18, 2011. This new album pushes the boundaries of a guitar with an orchestra context by delivering a very original take on the more traditional format used by the likes of Uli Jon Roth etc.
In 2012 Lars started working on his next album Epicentre, which was finished 12 months later and released in September 2013 as digital download only. This 18 track album sees Lars handling all the vocals as well while musically Lars seem to have gone for shorter more accessible songs while still incorporating some new influences.
As Lars was celebrating 25 years since his two first albums were released in Japan 2014 saw Lars releasing a number of reissues and new compilations of previously unreleased material, such as both Condition Red albums in new versions, the two compilations Hot and Able 1983-85 and Let Me Rock You 1984-87 each containing 16 tracks from Lars early days. Also released under 2014 were a new version of the second Book of Reflections album Chapter II - Unfold the Future as well as new versions of "Earthbound", "Eternity" and "No Surrender".
In September 2015 Lars released his first all-acoustic album Songs From a Different Room, an album that had been in the making since late 2008. The album's ten intimate tracks all feature vocals by Lars and some of his best guitar playing to date. Also released in 2015: Condition Red's Beatles cover "Tomorrow Never Knows" as single.
In 2016 Condition Red released its third album Illusion of Truth, a progressive concept album which saw Lars handling all guitars, bass and vocals, just like as on the Condition Red single released a year before. This year Lars also released a four-track EP "Never Coming Home", the title track was a remix of a 1989 "No Surrender" album out take paired with two live tracks "The Exciter" and "Eternity" as well as the previously unreleased 1989 version of the title track.
On November 16 Lars returned with his first all-electric rock album in four years, Sand and Blood, and as it is thirty years after his debut EP Can't Go On Without Your Love'', Lars decided to include a new recording of this classic. The album also features a guest appearance by Adrienn Antal singing the album's last song, "Still Here Waiting".
Craven, Andy, Lion Music, 2013
Bello, Linda, ProgPulse, 2015
Carey, Andy, ProgPulse, 2017

Discography