

A
guitarist of the classic metal/hard rock school Lars was first
discovered by Mike Varney (Guitar Player Magazine and Shrapnel
Records ) 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 (1988), No Surrender
(1989) and the all instrumental Electric Voodoo (1991).
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 were never released due to contractual problems 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 made 4 albums with his own band Baltimoore. As guitarist
Nikolo Kotzev left Baltimore Björn joined forces with Lars And
recorded 1995’s album 'Astral Groove', which was blues
based and quite different from Lars previous releases. More or
less Astral Groove came out of jamming ideas but the band split
up very soon.
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 the
autumn of 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 (Jean Michel Jarre) Rob Johnson (Magnitude 9),
Erik Norlander (Lana Lane, Rocket Scientists) Pär Lindh (Pär
Lindh Project) 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 the
year of 2000 Lars put together a progressive band called
'Condition Red', the debut album features keyboard maestro
Derek Sherinian (ex- Alice Cooper/Dream Theater) and Lars’
friend Alex Masi (on additional guitars). 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 (ex-Lion’s Share/Section A etc…),
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 (Yngwie
Malmsteen), Vitalij Kuprij, Lance King, Rene Janssen(Ayreon),
Benny Jansson (Tears of Anger/Beyond Twilight) 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 (Tomorrow's Eve) and Björn Jansson (Ride The Sky / Tears
Of Anger), with additional guitar from Anand Mahangoe (Sphere Of
Souls) and keyboards from Mistheria (solo, Bruce Dickinson,
Angel Of Eden).
2008 saw
Mattsson gearing up for the accessible symphonic and prog metal
of 'Dream Child'. Joining Lars was new vocalist, the
female powerhouse Adrienn Antal whose soaring voice 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 5 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
19th 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.