THE POODLES

THE POODLES
Biography, Discography, and Musical Legacy

1. The Resurgence of Swedish Hard Rock and the Emergence of THE POODLES

In the early 2000s, the status of hard rock in the global music scene was undergoing a period of transformation following the rise of grunge and alternative rock. Particularly in Scandinavia, and notably in Sweden, there was a budding movement to fuse the aesthetics of traditional 1980s melodic hard rock and glam metal with modern production. Emerging within this trend as the most commercially successful entity and the symbol of the genre's resurgence was THE POODLES.

THE POODLES was not just a mere rookie band. Its founding members consisted of veteran musicians who had already established firm positions in the Swedish metal and hard rock scene, giving the band the aspect of a "supergroup" right from its inception. The musical style of THE POODLES was characterized by catchy, anthemic choruses, heavy guitar riffs, and a flamboyant visual image, successfully reviving the excitement of 1980s arena rock in the 21st century.

2. Pre-formation History: Background of the Members and the Foundation of a "Supergroup"

To understand the success of THE POODLES, it is necessary to detail the backgrounds of the individual members. They were already known as seasoned professionals in the Stockholm music scene.

2.1 Jakob Samuel - Vocals

The band's frontman, Jakob Samuel (real name: Karl Erik Jakob Samuelsson), started his career as a drummer. In the early 1990s, he served as the drummer for Talisman, one of Sweden's leading hard rock bands. Talisman was a legendary band formed by Marcel Jacob and Jeff Scott Soto from Yngwie Malmsteen's band, and Jakob Samuel cultivated top-level musicianship there. He also participated in the power metal trio The Ring, where he worked alongside Pontus Norgren, who would later become his bandmate in THE POODLES. His sense of rhythm as a drummer, combined with his soulful and wide-ranging vocal style, were his major assets.

2.2 Pontus Norgren - Guitar

The original guitarist, Pontus Norgren, was also a key figure in the Swedish scene. Like Jakob Samuel, he had a history of playing in Talisman, and he also demonstrated his skills in projects such as Humanimal and The Ring. His playing style was technical yet maximized the melody of the songs, forming the backbone of THE POODLES' early sound.

2.3 Pontus Egberg - Bass

Bass player Pontus Egberg was known as a former member of the heavy metal band Lion's Share. Lion's Share was a band that aimed for a more orthodox and heavy metal sound, and Egberg's addition brought a solid bottom end and metal credibility to the sound of THE POODLES.

2.4 Christian "Kicken" Lundqvist - Drums

The drummer, Christian Lundqvist, commonly known as "Kicken," is a former member of the melodic rock band Treat. Treat was one of the bands that led the Swedish rock scene in the 1980s, and Lundqvist's drumming, inheriting that DNA, was an indispensable element for the sense of scale in the "arena rock" that THE POODLES aimed for.

3. Biography

3.1 2005–2006: Formation and the Impact at Melodifestivalen

The formation of THE POODLES began very much as a project. It all started in late 2005 when Jakob Samuel was approached by a songwriting team with an offer to perform the song "Night of Passion" at Melodifestivalen.

Melodifestivalen is a national music television show used to select Sweden's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, the largest music competition in Europe. It enjoys extremely high viewership in Sweden, meaning success there translates into becoming a national star overnight.

To perform this song, Jakob Samuel reached out to his former associate, drummer Christian Lundqvist, and with the addition of Pontus Norgren and Pontus Egberg, the band's lineup was complete. Initially, it was an impromptu project formed solely for the contest, but the chemistry generated through rehearsals transformed them into a permanent band.

At the 2006 Melodifestivalen, they performed "Night of Passion." Mats Levén, a talented singer and friend of Jakob, also participated as a backing vocalist. Combining the edge of hard rock with the accessibility of pop, the song captivated viewers, and the band advanced to the final selection, ultimately finishing in 4th place. Although they missed out on the victory, the exposure was massive, and "Night of Passion" reached number 2 on the Swedish singles chart, becoming a massive hit and earning a platinum disc certification.

3.2 2006–2007: Debut Album "Metal Will Stand Tall" and European Expansion

Following their success at Melodifestivalen, the band began working on their debut album. In May 2006, their 1st album, Metal Will Stand Tall, was released in Sweden.

• Album Success and Development: This album reached number 4 on the Swedish album chart, cementing the band's popularity. It included the hit single "Night of Passion" as well as the title track "Metal Will Stand Tall," proudly declaring the resurgence of melodic hard rock.

Following their domestic success, THE POODLES sought to enter international markets. They signed a contract with the German label AFM Records, and the album was released across Europe on January 19, 2007. This prompted the band to actively pursue tours and festival appearances not only within Sweden but throughout Europe. In 2006, they performed at the Sweden Rock Festival, one of Sweden's largest rock festivals, proving their capabilities in live performance.

3.3 2007–2008: 2nd Album "Sweet Trade" and Collaboration with E-Type

Without a moment's delay after their debut, the band entered the studio for their second album. In late 2007, the album Sweet Trade was released.

Musical Style of "Sweet Trade": Enlisting producers like Mats Valentin, as they did for the previous record, the band's sound became more refined. Tracks such as "Seven Seas" and "Streets of Fire" beautifully merged the catchy melodies and heavy performances characteristic of THE POODLES, and the album was praised for establishing the band's identity.

Return to Melodifestivalen (2008): In 2008, THE POODLES returned to the Melodifestivalen stage. This time, it was not alone, but as a collaboration with the famous Swedish eurodance musician E-Type under the moniker "E-Type & THE POODLES." The song they performed, "Line of Fire," was a unique track blending E-Type's danceable beats with THE POODLES' hard rock sound.

• Results: They participated in Heat 1 held in Gothenburg on February 9, 2008, receiving 102,438 votes to finish 3rd and advance to the "Second Chance" round. However, they did not reach the final. Nonetheless, this collaboration generated significant buzz and further raised the band's profile.

3.4 2008: Departure of Pontus Norgren and Arrival of Henrik Bergqvist

Though the band's activities seemed smooth sailing, shocking news broke on April 22, 2008. Guitarist Pontus Norgren, who had anchored the sound since formation, departed from the band. The reason for his departure was to join the Swedish power metal band HammerFall. While Norgren's departure was expected to be a major blow, the band immediately found a successor.

The newly joined member was Henrik Bergqvist. Officially joining the band in 2008, he brought a different, more bluesy and raw rock feeling to the band compared to Norgren. This lineup change marked the beginning of the band's "Chapter 2."

3.5 2009–2010: "Clash of the Elements" and Live Album "No Quarter"

With the new lineup featuring new guitarist Henrik Bergqvist, the band released their 3rd album, Clash of the Elements, on May 20, 2009.

Characteristics of "Clash of the Elements": This album features collaborations with external writers such as Mats Valentin and Rob Wells, expanding the variety of songs. It demonstrated the band's musical maturity, containing grand ballads like "One Out of Ten" and tracks incorporating symphonic elements like "I Rule the Night." It reached number 5 on the Swedish album chart.

Live Album "No Quarter": To document their prowess as a live band, their first live album and DVD, No Quarter, was released in 2010. Released through Frontiers Records, this work captured THE POODLES' energetic stage performance in its entirety, with songs like "Too Much of Everything" and "Caroline" performed with the distinct power of a live show. It also included a drum solo and call-and-response with the audience, serving as a document that captured the band's momentum at the time.

3.6 2011–2013: Peak with "Performocracy" and "Tour de Force"

Entering the 2010s, the band's momentum did not wane. In April 2011, they released their 4th album, Performocracy. The title was a coined word combining "Performance" and "Democracy," representing THE POODLES' stance of appealing to the masses through entertainment. This album reached number 1 on the Swedish chart, marking the pinnacle of their commercial career.

Subsequently in 2013, they released their 5th album, Tour de Force. True to its title, this album was a powerful work featuring tracks like "40 Days and 40 Nights," showcasing their stable songwriting capabilities.

3.7 2014: Departure of Pontus Egberg and Arrival of Johan Flodqvist

In 2014, another major lineup change occurred. Pontus Egberg, who had handled bass duties since the band's formation, departed. He would subsequently join the band of legendary heavy metal artist King Diamond. In an interview, guitarist Henrik Bergqvist acknowledged that Egberg's departure was a significant change, but noted that welcoming Johan Flodqvist as his successor stabilized the band. Flodqvist was a different type of player than Egberg, bringing a new groove to the band.

3.8 2015–2018: "Devil in the Details", "Prisma", and Dissolution

Under the new system with Johan Flodqvist, the band released their 6th album, Devil in the Details, in 2015. Serving as their first release after transferring to the label Gain (under Sony Music), this work incorporated modern sound production while keeping the characteristic melodies of THE POODLES alive. Tracks like "The Greatest" and "House of Cards" are included.

Cover Album "Prisma" and Arrival of Germain Leth: In January 2018, the band released their first-ever cover album, Prisma. This album was created around the concept of "a hard rock band covering pop masterpieces," featuring Adele's "Set Fire To The Rain," Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and Depeche Mode's "It's No Good," among others. Around this period, bass player Johan Flodqvist was replaced by Germain Leth, a bassist from Argentina. He had been participating in the band since around 2017 and was involved in the production of Prisma.

Dissolution Announcement: Less than a year after the release of Prisma, on December 20, 2018, the band officially announced their dissolution. In the statement, THE POODLES noted, "After a journey of more than 12 years, it is time to bring the ship to port," citing transitions to other music projects and personal reasons as motives for disbanding. It was an amicable split, filled with gratitude toward fans worldwide.

3.9 2025–2026: Announcement of Reunion

After a long silence, on September 18, 2025, the band announced through their official website and media that they would reunite in 2026. This reunion commemorates the 20th anniversary of their 2006 debut album, Metal Will Stand Tall. Notably, it was announced that both original guitarist Pontus Norgren and Henrik Bergqvist, who supported the subsequent golden era, are on board for this reunion. In 2026, live performances are scheduled at festivals and major stages across Sweden and Europe, raising expectations that their past hits will be performed in front of fans once again.

4. Member Transition (Members)

The history of THE POODLES is also a history of talented musicians changing places. The profiles and tenure of the major members are summarized below.

4.1 Final Lineup (At Dissolution in 2018)

Name (English)	Role/Part	Tenure	Remarks
Jakob Samuel	Vocals	2005–2018, 2026–	Original member. Former drummer of Talisman.
Christian Lundqvist	Drums	2005–2018, 2026–	Original member. Commonly known as "Kicken". Former member of Treat.
Henrik Bergqvist	Guitar	2008–2018, 2026–	Joined in 2008 as Norgren's successor.
Germain Leth	Bass	2017–2018	From Argentina. Supported the band right before dissolution.

4.2 Former Major Members

Name (English)	Role/Part	Tenure	Remarks
Pontus Norgren	Guitar	2005–2008, 2026–	Original member. Departed to join HammerFall. Scheduled to participate in the 2026 reunion.
Pontus Egberg	Bass	2005–2014	Original member. Departed to join King Diamond.
Johan Flodqvist	Bass	2014–2017	Joined as Egberg's successor. Participated in "Devil in the Details".
Emil Lindroth	Keyboards/Vocals	(Live Support)	Known as a live support member.

5. Discography

The discography of THE POODLES has been treated with particular care in the Japanese market, with almost every album containing unique bonus tracks for the Japanese Edition. This demonstrates the high popularity of THE POODLES in Japan and the band's consideration for the Japanese market.

5.1 Studio Albums

Details, track lists, and special notes for each album are described below.

1. Metal Will Stand Tall

• Release Year: 2006 (Sweden), 2007 (Europe/Japan)
• Label: Lionheart International (SWE), AFM Records (EU), Marquee/Avalon (JP)
• Overview: The shocking debut work. Reached number 4 on the Swedish chart due to the massive hit of "Night of Passion."
• Characteristics of the Japanese Edition: Released with an Obi strip, many are now out of print and have become collectors' items. SHM-CD reissues also exist.
• Main Tracks:
  1. Echoes from the Past
  2. Metal Will Stand Tall
  3. Night of Passion (Melodifestivalen entry song)
  4. Song for You
  5. Kingdom of Heaven

2. Sweet Trade

• Release Year: 2007
• Label: Lionheart International, AFM Records, King Records (JP)
• Japanese Release Date: October 24, 2007 (KICP-1268)
• Overview: The second work produced following the success of their debut. Characterized by more refined melodies.
• Tracks (Selection):
  1. Flesh and Blood
  2. Streets of Fire
  3. Seven Seas
  4. Walk the Line
  5. Thunderball
• Japanese Edition Bonus Track: Flesh and Blood (Live Version)

3. Clash of the Elements

• Release Year: May 20, 2009
• Label: Lionheart International, King Records / Nexus (JP)
• Japanese Release: KICP-1443
• Overview: The first album after the guitarist switched to Henrik Bergqvist.
• Tracks:
  1. Too Much of Everything
  2. Caroline
  3. Like No Tomorrow
  4. One Out of Ten
  5. I Rule the Night
  6. Give Me a Sign
  7. Sweet Enemy
  8. 7 Days & 7 Nights
  9. Pilot of the Storm
  10. Can't Let You Go
  11. Don't Rescue Me
  12. Heart of Gold
  13. Dream to Follow
  14. Wings of Destiny
• Japanese Edition Bonus Tracks: 15. I Rule the Night (Acoustic Version), 16. I Rule the Night (Live Version)

4. Performocracy

• Release Year: April 15, 2011
• Label: Frontiers Records, King Records (JP)
• Japanese Release: April 18, 2011 (XATW-00122932)
• Overview: A monumental work that reached number 1 on the Swedish chart.
• Japanese Edition Bonus Track: Includes 1 track (often cited as "Don't Tell Me," but the song title is not explicitly specified in the source; however, it is confirmed that one track is included).

5. Tour de Force

• Release Year: May 2013
• Label: Frontiers Records, Marquee / Avalon (JP)
• Japanese Release: MICP-11096
• Overview: A work showcasing the band's mature period. Includes tracks like "40 Days and 40 Nights."
• Tracks:
  1. Misery Loves Company
  2. Shut Up!
  3. Happily Ever After
  4. Viva Democracy
  5. Going Down
  6. Leaving the Past to Pass
  7. 40 Days and 40 Nights
  8. Kings & Fools
  9. Miracle
  10. Godspeed
  11. Now Is the Time
  12. Only Just Begun
  13. En För Alla (Swedish version of "One for All")
• Japanese Edition Bonus Track: Leaving The Past To Pass (Acoustic Version)

6. Devil in the Details

• Release Year: March 2015
• Label: Gain / Sony Music, Avalon (JP)
• Japanese Release: MICP-11214
• Overview: The first album after the bass player switched to Johan Flodqvist. A more groovy approach can be observed.
• Tracks (Standard):
  1. Before I Die
  2. House of Cards
  3. The Greatest
  4. Crack in the Wall
  5. (What the Hell) Baby
  6. Everything
  7. Stop
  8. Need to Believe
  9. Alive
  10. Life Without You
  11. Creator and Breaker
  12. Borderline
• Japanese Edition Bonus Tracks: 13. Racing, 14. Daisy Chains
• *Additionally, "Never Enough," which was included as a Japanese bonus track during this period, was later released digitally worldwide in 2023.

7. Prisma

• Release Year: January 26, 2018
• Label: Gain / Sony Music, Avalon (JP)
• Japanese Release: January 24, 2018 (MICP-11394)
• Overview: The first cover album of their career. Revived genre-transcending masterpieces with hard rock arrangements.
• Tracks:
  1. Crazy Horses (The Osmonds cover)
  2. Maniac (Michael Sembello cover - from the movie Flashdance)
  3. Love Is Gone (David Guetta & Chris Willis cover)
  4. It's No Good (Depeche Mode cover)
  5. Don't You Worry Child (Swedish House Mafia cover)
  6. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John cover)
  7. Call Me (Blondie cover)
  8. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac cover)
  9. Set Fire To The Rain (Adele cover)
• Japanese Edition Bonus Tracks: 10. Soldier of Fortune (Deep Purple cover), 11. It's No Good (Extended Version)

5.2 Live Albums

No Quarter

• Release Year: 2010
• Label: Frontiers Records
• Format: CD, DVD
• Overview: A live album recording the Clash of the Elements tour. Documents the enthusiastic stage of that time.
• Tracks:
  1. Too Much of Everything
  2. Caroline
  3. Seven Seas
  4. Metal Will Stand Tall
  5. Like No Tomorrow
  6. One Out of Ten
  7. Lullaby for Jimmy (Precious as a live performance of an unreleased studio track)
  8. Drum Solo
  9. Echoes From The Past
  10. Thunderball
  11. I Rule the Night
  12. Night of Passion
  13. Flesh & Blood
  14. Line of Fire

5.3 Singles

Main single works (Important in Swedish domestic charts, etc.):

• Night of Passion (2006) - Platinum certified.
• Metal Will Stand Tall (2006)
• Song For You (2006)
• Seven Seas (2007)
• Line of Fire (2008) - Under the moniker E-Type & THE POODLES.
• Raise the Banner (2008) - Official support song for the Swedish delegation at the Beijing Olympics.
• Cuts Like A Knife (2011)

6. Musical Style and Influences

The musical style of THE POODLES fuses elements of melodic hard rock, glam metal, or AOR.

1. Vocal Harmonies: In addition to Jakob Samuel's powerful lead vocals, thick backing choruses by all members are a defining feature. This shows influences from Def Leppard and Queen.
2. Song Structure: Many songs follow the traditional pop song structure of "verse-bridge-chorus" and are radio-friendly. This was a major factor in their acceptance by non-metal fans as well.
3. Production: While basing their sound on the 1980s, they utilize modern digital recording technology to ensure a clear and loud production with effective low ends. Especially from "Clash of the Elements" onward, the introduction of synthesizers and orchestration was carried out.

7. Conclusion

THE POODLES was instrumental in pushing hard rock back into the mainstream in mid-2000s Sweden. Moving beyond their origin as an "engineered band for Eurovision," they continued to release high-quality albums over a 12-year period, building a firm fan base in Europe and Japan.

While their dissolution in 2018 was regretted by many fans, the announcement of a reunion celebrating the 20th anniversary of their formation in 2026 shows that the story of THE POODLES is not over yet. The 2026 stage, featuring both old and new guitarists Pontus Norgren and Henrik Bergqvist, will not only be the culmination of THE POODLES' career but will also serve as an important event for the Swedish hard rock scene.