Takida

Takida, a hard rock outfit from Sweden performing in English, achieved swift acclaim after inking a deal with Ninetone Records during 2005, following five years of self-released efforts. Three consecutive platinum-certified albums topped the Swedish charts: Bury the Lies in 2007, The Darker Instinct in 2009, and The Burning Heart in 2011. Their sixth studio effort, A Perfect World from 2016, reclaimed the summit, while Sju in 2019 opened doors in Germany, and Falling from Fame in 2021 ushered in their third decade of activity.

The group originated in Ånge, Sweden back in 1999, featuring Robert Pettersson handling vocals and piano alongside guitarists Tomas Wallin and Mattias Larsson, bassist Fredrik Pålsson, and drummer Kristoffer Söderström. Taking their moniker from a figure in the anime Nagareboshi Gin, they produced initial demos including the five-track Old in 2000 and T2 later that same year. Additional recordings followed with Takida in 2001, Gohei in 2003, and Thorns in 2004 prior to securing their contract with Ninetone Records, the Universal Music Group label established by Patrik Frisk.

Their Ninetone debut arrived in 2006 via the successful single "Losing" and Make You Breathe, which reached positions two and seven respectively on Swedish rankings. Bury the Lies, their next release in 2007, achieved even greater heights by launching at number one and yielding the tracks "Curly Sue" and "Halo." September 2009 brought The Darker Instinct as their third album, coinciding with an inaugural headlining Swedish tour, after which The Burning Heart appeared on Se7en Records in 2011.

A compilation titled A Lesson Learned: The Best Of emerged in 2012, succeeded by the fifth album All Turns Red in 2014. Looking internationally by 2016, Takida partnered with The End Records to issue A Perfect World in America, featuring "Don't Wait Up." Collaboration with Ryan Star emphasized infectious melodies and hooks, resulting in another chart-topping performance in Sweden along with extensive streaming numbers. Sju from 2019 broadened their reach outside Scandinavia, followed by the 2020 anthology Demo Days marking two decades. The single "Goodbye" surfaced early in 2021, preceding the eighth album Falling from Fame.