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 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.