Abstrakt Algebra

After the legendary Candlemass saw its career collapse, chief songwriter and bassist Leif Edling turned for relief to a fresh undertaking he titled Abstrakt Algebra. He assembled singer Mats Leven, formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen's band, guitarists Mike Wead of King Diamond and Hexenhaus plus Simon Johansson from Fifth Reason and Memory Garden, and drummer Jejo Perkovic. With this roster Edling intended to start fresh by leaving behind the slothful doom long tied to his name in favor of a quicker, highly technical power metal approach. Those efforts surfaced on the group's self-titled 1995 album, yet the results proved insufficient to prevent him from attempting another run with Candlemass a few years afterward, this time bringing drummer Perkovic along.