Bjorn Englen

Bjorn Englen
Bjorn Englen
Origin Vaxjo, Sweden
Genres Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Rock
Years active 1984–present
Labels Grand Mercy Records
Associated acts Soul Sign, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio Disciples, Uli Jon Roth, Tony MacAlpine, Quiet Riot, Robin McAuley

Bjorn Englen (born Björn Erik Englén in Växjö, Sweden) is the bass player for Soul Sign, Dio Disciples and Tony MacAlpine. Bjorn has also played bass for Yngwie Malmsteen, MSG/Survivor vocalist Robin McAuley, Scorpions guitar legend Uli Jon Roth and Quiet Riot.[1]

Biography

Bjorn Englen started his musical career in Sweden in 1984 and relocated to Los Angeles, CA in 1993. In 1994 Englen was hired to play bass for heavy metal group Quiet Riot. He did pre-production work and promotion for the album Down to the Bone as well as 22 shows in a 1995 tour supporting the album.

Soul Sign

Shortly thereafter Englen formed his own group Soul Sign. Soul Sign did special promotional tours and shows of Europe and the US in 2010 and 2011 for the forthcoming album "Life In The Dark", which was released worldwide in the fall of 2011. The band's current line-up also features Malmsteen/Roth vocalist Mark Boals. The band toured in Scandinavia in May 2013.

Bjorn toured the U.S. in 1996 as the hired bassist for Wrestless Natives. He has recorded/composed music and toured as a member of Heaven & Earth with members of Foreigner, Heart, Dio and Sweet (1999—2000), Bleed (2004—2006) and Takara (2002—2008).

In 2004 to 2006 he performed throughout the US with MSG/Survivor vocalist Robin McAuley, and in 2010-2013 with Scorpions guitar legend Uli Jon Roth.

Yngwie Malmsteen

From 2007 to 2012 Englen played bass for Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. They toured and performed in Europe and the U.S.[2] in 2007 & 2008. A sold out tour of Japan was completed in April 2009.,[3] and a tour of Russia and Israel in April 2010. Another US Tour supporting the album "Relentless" was done in October and November 2011. Bjorn decided to leave Yngwie's band in 2012 due to unfortunate scheduling conflicts.

Tony MacAlpine

Since July 2011, Bjorn has played for guitar/keyboard virtuoso Tony MacAlpine (Steve Vai, Planet X). Several shows were done in the US and a 27 shows in 17 countries European Tour started on Feb 21st, 2012 in Manchester, UK and ended on Mar 23rd in Moscow, RU.

DIO Disciples

Since October 2012 Bjorn is a member of the Official DIO band Dio Disciples featuring Craig Goldy (Dio, Guiffria) - guitar, Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC, UFO) - drums and Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell) - keyboards of Dio's band with Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest) and Oni Logan (Lynch Mob) on vocals. In Oct/Nov 2012 the band did a 24 date US Tour in support of Dio's latest release "The Beast of Dio Vol. 2". In March 2013 DIO Disciples head-lined at the Monsters of Rock cruise in the Caribbean Sea as well as finished a Brazil/Mexico/Texas Tour in June 2013 partially together with Nazareth. The band performed in the US & Canada in July, September and October of 2013.

Bjorn has also taught bass and ensemble at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood from 1996 to 1997 and through clinics and master classes worldwide since 1994, including Los Angeles Music Academy (L.A.M.A.). and Carvin Guitars.

He has played over 1500 live shows and on over 30 albums. He has also recorded/performed with members of Foreigner, Deep Purple, Kiss, David Lee Roth, Dio, Ozzy, Elton John, Rainbow, Journey, Korn, Dream Theater, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Heart, Judas Priest, Guns N' Roses, John Norum, Sweet, Jeff Scott Soto, The Beach Boys, Blue Murder, Steve Vai, George Lynch, Vixen, Berlin, Buddy Guy, Chaka Kahn, Paul Rodgers, Saga etc.

Press

Bjorn Englen was featured in a two-page article of Bassiste Magazine in March/April 2010, a cover featured article in Basista Magazine in April 2012, a 3 page article in Soundquest Magazine in June 2012, interview in Rock N Roll Industries Magazine in July 2013, as well as full-page and back cover ads in Bass Player magazine in 2010-2012 promoting the Carvin SB5000 bass and Spectraflex cables, as well as full page ads in various magazines promoting EBS amps & pedals.

Gear

He endorses Carvin basses (mainly custom built SB4000 & SB5000 and Icon 4 fretless), wireless systems & accessories, EBS amp systems & pedals (featuring the Fafner II amp, NEO-line cabinets, MultiComp/MultiDrive Pedals), Mari Strings, Spectraflex cables, Hipshot Bass Xtenders & hardware, Pick Guy custom guitar picks and Gator pedal cases.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=1709
  2. ↑ http://www.leahsrockreport.com/2008/10/101008-yngwie-malmsteen-house-of-blues.html
  3. ↑ http://www.udo.jp/Artist/DPYM/news.html#090121

External links