ITP V.025 ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: R.I.P. RAGNE WAHLQIST (VOCALIST, GUITARIST OF HEAVY LOAD)

 

 

 

 RAGNE WAHLQIST, vocalist, guitarist of Swedish power metal warriors HEAVY LOAD died 1/7/2025 at 69, as no cause of death has been given. 

HEAVY LOAD unleashed "RIDERS OF THE ANCIENT STORM", 10/6/2023 via NO REMORSE RECORDS.

FROM HEAVY LOAD: 

IN MEMORY OF RAGNE WAHLQUIST

JAN 23rd 1955 - JAN 2nd 2025

STYRBJÖRN WAHLQUIST

My beloved big brother, the musical genius, my life companion, mentor and inspiration has passed away - suddenly and unexpectedly leaving me in a state of shock and deepest grief. My heart is in shatters.

We shared the same artistic passion, vision and fervor, always creating our music together. We inspired each other and developed our music, sound and artwork together; although, he often acted as my mentor. These last years we have been extremely inspired. And, even more so this last year during which we have worked passionately and intensely with our forthcoming album. It is quite far developed. Three songs are completed and mixed and many more are almost done. All are recorded in our own studio which was built by Ragne and me during two years.

When Ragne passed away he was waiting for me to come to the studio to resume our recordings and mixing after our short break during New Years Eve. Just about thirty minutes after having spoken with Ragne on the phone about what we should do in the studio during the day, I received a phone call from a family member who had just found him lying unconscious in the garden and informed me that they had called for an ambulance.

We, the others in Heavy Load, are determined to finish the album and let Ragne's, and our music, reach out to the world. I know, in the depth of my heart, that this is what he wants us to do. In addition, we intend to go on with new albums and new concerts in the same spirit as Ragne.

Ragne I love you and I feel that you will always stand by me, and be with me.

When I compose and play I do it with your heart. When I sing, I sing with your heart.

All my love to all of you, our dear friends around the world.

Styrbjörn Wahlquist

NICLAS SUNNERBERG

We love you Ragne, you are so deeply missed. A friend, a mentor, a father figure, a brother – I only knew you for around ten years, but in that time, you became all this and more.

Your humor, humility and your unwavering integrity made you someone everyone wanted to have close. You believed in me from the start and gave of yourself without expecting anything in return. Your care shone through in every conversation.

I am grateful for the time together and for everything you taught me. I miss our conversations as much as I miss standing side by side with you, playing and exchanging smiles when Styrbjörn pulled off some extraordinary or unexpected drum fill. It's crystal clear to me, in memory.

I will never forget the times we shared and how you made every moment feel meaningful. You were a true role model, someone to look up to and be inspired by. Your lyrics always hit hard, and now after you're gone they somehow cut even deeper into my heart.

We are absolutely devastated by this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, the rest of the band, and especially your brother, whom I also hold so dearly in my heart.

Ragne, you were a legend – and to me, you always will be.

TORBJÖRN RAGNESJÖ

After just having talked to Styrbjörn about Ragne, with tears running and my voice trembling while trying to talk, I am trying to digest all of this.

Ragne, a dear childhood friend and cousin of mine, as well as an extremely inspiring and creative soul, is gone. I get the shivers down my spine just by writing this very sentence here and now, since it is too much in an emotional sense. And I wonder how much more awful this must be to his wife and daughters, as well as Styrbjörn. My thoughts go unreservedly to them in a time like this.

I cannot stress how much fun and good times we have had together, Ragne, Styrbjörn and I, while growing up, with our childhood families with parents, siblings, cousins, lots of relatives and friends having birthdays, christmases, wonderful midsummer weekends in the Stockholm archipelago together. The list can be made much longer...

I will cherish my time with him, both as a cousin and friend, and as well as a band member. He was always encouraging when I felt I wasn't 'good enough', always a kind word while things were hard, always a good friend.

I salute you Ragne, your friendship and your musical legacy!

You will live on in our memories and your music!

EDDY MALM

Ragne Wahlquist was an enormous role model for me as regards rock music. He was a brilliant guitarist, songwriter and singer. He inspired me immensely. Moreover, he was an incredibly good friend. It was always a pleasure to spend time with him. Sometimes we celebrated Midsummer Eve in the garden of his residence in Åkersberga and sometimes we celebrated New Years Eve - indoors. I have so many fantastic memories from our time together in Heavy Load. It was so incredible outstanding with a gigantic back line and home made pyrotechnics. This spectacular extravaganza came about because of Ragne's and Styrbjörn's visions and efforts. Ragne, I am going to miss you enormously. Rest in peace my very good friend.

From your dear friend Eddy

FROM KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL: 

I just learned that my friend Ragne Wahlquist of the legendary Heavy Load passed away and crossed the rainbow bridge up to Valhalla. I am completely devastated! Ragne and me go back a long way. Since the creation of KEEP IT TRUE Festival l Heavy Load was one of my main goals to have them reunite. I called Ragne every few months for many years to persuade him. One day he invited me to his amazing villa close to Stockholm then. I spent a weekend with him and his family and this was the foundation of the reunion. We could finally have two shows at KIT, which for me was a similar big achievement like the Cirith Ungol reunion. He was such a kind soul in private but a total perfectionist when it came to his music, he had so many visions that were so over the top, but he always wanted the best for his fans, which he loved dearly. The meet and greets the brothers did at several KITs were legendary. I am proud he called me a real friend. He sent me a heartfelt message at Christmas Eve....and now he is gone....heartbreaking. The KIT family will never forget you and all who read this, take your chances to see legendary bands like Heavy Load, our time is very limited. Farewell my friend!!

 FROM CANDLEMASS: 

My/our dear friend Ragne Wahlquist is dead and I'm heartbroken. A wonderful person and musician is gone, and also the creator and forefather of swedish heavy metal with his mighty Heavy Load! He was an inspiration to me and Candlemass and he will be sadly missed. Our summer garden parties will not be the same anymore

Rest in Peace my friend Ragne "Valhalla Warrior" Wahlquist.

Leif Edling and Candlemass

 FROM OPETH: 

RAGNE WAHLQUIST, 1955-2025. REST IN PEACE

It is with heavy heart we say farewell to Heavy Load frontman/singer/guitarist Ragne Wahlquist. His passing is so recent, and as I’m writing this I haven’t been fully able to fathom this terrible loss. I first met Ragne during one of the infamous kubb-tournaments (hosted by Peder & Ewa. Thank you!) together with his brother (and Heavy Load drummer) Styrbjörn Wahlquist, as well as members of Candlemass and Ghost. Fredrik and myself representing Opeth (with somewhat inconsistent results).

Ragne was a marvelous character. Witty, sharp, poetic, determined and just a superb and inspiring person and musician. He was my friend. A friend I lament I didn’t have the time to get to know better. I texted with the brothers on new years day wishing them both a ”happy new year” and got a ”thanks” and a beautiful poem back from Ragne. Little did I know that was the last I was ever going to hear from him. We met on numerous occasions and always ended up in inspiring conversations. I (on behalf of Opeth) extend our warmest condolences to Styrbjörn and the rest of the Wahlquist family as well as to his friends and fans.

Heavy Load are Sweden's first proper Heavy Metal band and also contributed to the scene outside of their own music by operating Thunderload studios and hence being responsible for hosting recordings for Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen and Morbid, among others. Ragne also authored the two epic books ”The Wahlgaard saga pt 1 & 2”. A project I know he was incredibly fond and proud of, and is well worth investigating. Ragne (nor Styrbjörn) never compromised with anything related to his artistry and creativity. Despite the hardship that comes with this stance in the commercial world of music and art, it certainly demands ones respect.

I experienced this determination when Ragne and Styrbjörn kindly invited me over to Thunderload studios to hear a rough mix of their latest masterpiece ”Riders of the ancient storm”. It was incredible! Just to sit there and eat cinnamon rolls and drink coffee with these two legends of heavy metal would have been well (or more than) enough for me. But to then get a pre-release listening to their first record since 1983!? It was awesome to the point of absurdity. The brothers were so proud (as they should be) and lingered on my every comment to the music that flowed through the speakers. They treated me with such respect and warmth that day (and every other time we met). I will never forget it.

Ragnes music will surely continue to shake the very foundations of Valhalla! He will be sorely missed! - Mikael

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ R.I.P.