Lars Eric Mattsson

Lars Eric "Lasse" Mattsson is a Finnish guitarist, songwriter, and producer known for his contributions to the neoclassical metal genre. He was heavily influenced by classic hard rock bands like Jimi Hendrix and Richie Blackmore as well as guitar virtuosos like Al Di Meola. In 1985, he was discovered by Mike Varney of Guitar Player Magazine and Shrapnel Records. After playing with several local hard rock bands, Mattsson released his first EP, Can't Go On Without Your Love, in 1987. He then signed with Black Dragon Records and released three albums: Eternity (1988), No Surrender (1989), and Electric Voodoo (1991).

Lars Eric Mattsson
Origin	Åland, Finland
Genres	Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Occupations	musician, composer, record producer
Instruments	electric guitar
Years active	1990s–present
Labels	Lion Music, Black Dragon Records
Formerly of	Condition Red, Mattsson, Book of Reflections, Vision
Website	larsericmattsson.com

In 1992, Mattsson formed the band Vision with Swedish singer Conny Lind, recording the album Lars Eric Mattsson's Vision. However, the label's bankruptcy prevented the release of their follow-up album, and the band eventually split up. Mattsson briefly quit music, but in 1996 he recorded Till the End of Time with Vision, which received positive reviews. In 2000, he formed the progressive band Condition Red, and in 2003, he released Power Games, an album featuring ex-Balance of Power singer Lance King. That same year, Condition Red released their second album, II.

Mattsson continued to release albums throughout the 2000s, including Book of Reflections (2004), a progressive metal concept album/metal opera titled War (2005), and Dream Child (2008), which featured a new female vocalist, Adrienn Antal. He also re-released a remastered version of No Surrender + Live (2009) with bonus live tracks. Mattsson's music is influenced by classical music, classic hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock/metal.

Discography

Lars Eric Mattsson

• Can't Go On Without Your Love (4 track EP)(1987)
• Eternity (1988)
• No Surrender (1989)
• Electric Woodoo (aka The Exciter) (1991)
• Obsession (1998)
• Earthbound (2005)
• No Surrender+Live (2009) (20th Annivessary Reissue)
• Aurora Borealis: Concerto For Orchestra & Electric Guitar (2011)
• Epicentre (2013)
• Hot and Able (1983-85) (2014)
• Let Me Rock You (1984-87) (2014)
• Eternity - 25th Anniversary (2014)
• No Surrender - 25th Anniversary (2014)
• Songs From a Different Room (2015)
• Never Coming Home (4 track EP)(2016)
• Sand and Blood (2017)
• Vicky's Eyes (single) (2018)
• Into the Unknown (2019)
• Evolution (2023)
• Burning Bridges (2024)

Mattsson

• Another Dimension (2000)
• Power Games (2003)
• War (2005)
• Dream Child (2008)
• Tango (2010)

Lars Eric Mattsson's Vision

• Lars-Eric Mattsson's Vision (1992)(25th Anniversary Remaster released 2017)
• Till The End of Time (1997)(20th Anniversary Remix released 2017)
• The Best Of (2000)
• On The Edge (2004)
• II:1993(2017)
• Live+ (2017)

Condition Red

• Condition Red (2000) (Reissued new version in 2014)
• Condition Red 2 (2004) (Reissued new version in 2014)
• Tomorrow Never Knows (2015) (single, Beatles cover)
• Illusion of Truth (2016)

Book of Reflections

• Book of Reflections (2004)
• Chapter II: Unfold the Future (2006)
• Relentless Fighter (2012)

Astral Groove

• Astral Groove (1995)

Eli

• Darkness Will Fall (2008)

Roadhouse

• Them Changes (single) (2015)

Tributes

• Warmth in the Wilderness - A Tribute to Jason Becker (2001)
• Warmth in the Wilderness - A Tribute to Jason Becker II (2002)
• Beyond Inspiration - A Tribute to Uli Jon Roth (2001)
• Blackmore's CastIe - A Tribute to Deep Purple and Rainbow (2003)
• Give Us Moore - Gary Moore Tribute (2004)
• The Spirit Lives On - The Music of Jimi Hendrix Revisited vol. I (2004)
• The Spirit Lives On - The Music of Jimi Hendrix Revisited vol. II (2004)
• Shawn Lane Remembered vol I (2004)
• Embrace the Sun - Japan Earthquake Benefit Album (2011)
• Lion Music Presents: Johann Sebastian Bach - Interpretations (2015)
• Lion Music Presents: W. A. Mozart - Reincarnated (2015)
• Lion Music Presents: Antonio Vivaldi - A New Season (2016)
• Lion Music Presents: L.V. Beethoven - Ode to Perfection (2017)
• Lion Music Presents: G.F. Handel - Baroque Passion (2017)

Others

• "Various Artists - Dream Ballads (2001)
• Lalu - Oniric Metal (2005)
• Iron Mask - Shadow of the Red Baron (2010)

Sources

• http://www.progpulse.com

External links

• Lars-Eric Mattsson's official homepage
• Lion Music
• Lars Eric Mattsson discography at Discogs