Andre Andersen

Andre Andersen was born on December 16th in Moscow, Russia. He studied piano since he was 5. He is a mix of Danish and Georgian Royal blood and is a musical genius who can virtually play any instrument, compose, write lyrics and produce all at the same time.  At the age of 14 Andre discovered a different genre of music aside from classical, by accidentally getting Deep Purple's “In Rock”. From that point on, he started to combine his classical chops with the rock form in every piece of music he writes. Andre speaks of Mozart and Paganini's work as his biggest inspiration aside from people like Rick Wakeman and Jon Lord, who invented the "rock approach" to the keyboards. His musical influences are mainly the classics and the rock/hard rock scene that he studied and grew up with.  Lyrics come easy to a guy who can read fifteen books in two weeks.  In 1984 he moved to Denmark. After awhile he built his own working place - Mirand Studio (now expanded and removed to a recently established North Point). Having an opportunity to record all of his ideas without watching the clock, he started to create a whole set of compositions and songs where the elements of classical music, progressive and straight hard rock were mixed to create a unique signature sound.  Andre reinforced and polished his "invention" by working with countless projects until the day when ROYAL HUNT was formed and the final pieces - the music and musicianship of every individual - would fall into place.  All of this makes Andre a powerhouse force that drives the entire ensemble forward like a bulldozer.

Mark Boals

Mark Boals was born on December 5th in Youngstown, Ohio, USA. His journey to become a singer started at age 5, when he began recording himself on his father’s tape recorder. He sang solos in the Church where his mother played the piano and his father, the trumpet. With his ear glued to the radio, he discovered his love for all genres of music. Picking up the bass guitar at age 11, he played and sang along with his favorite albums, joining local bands and playing in clubs by age 14. Marks first professional gig was as a bass player on Ted Nugent´s first European tour. Later he moved to Los Angeles - to find more music opportunities - where he joined Yngwie Malmsteen`s Rising Force, which led eventually to 6 albums and numerous successful tours. In March of 2000, Mark won the #1 Best Vocalist Award in the “Burrn! Magazine” reader’s poll in Japan along with other assorted nominations which he received. In recent years Mark recorded 3 solo albums as well as 3 studio albums and one live dvd with his own band, “Ring Of Fire”; beside that he has also recorded and toured with many other renowned artists – the latest project album is  entitled “The Codex”, which Mark recorded with Magnus Karlsson. In the summer of 2007 Mark started looking for a serious, permanent band situation and Royal Hunt became a perfect opportunity for a singer to exploit and expand his vocal abilities (beside the obvious benefit of becoming a member of a mighty joyful/heavy partying  bunch :-)

Per Schelander

Per Schelander, was born on November 15th. Fifteen years later he picked up the bass and very soon he was playing with people almost twice as old as himself.  His friend told him about a guy named Billy Sheehan, and this became the turning point of Per’s career.  He decided that music was the thing and bass was the instrument.  Per started studying music seriously at the age 18.  The first two years in Sweden, before embarking to Los Angeles to attend the Musicians Institute.  He graduated from MI in ‘93 and headed home to Stockholm to join “House of Shakira”, the band with whom he has recorded four studio albums with rave reviews of the critics and fans alike.  His role in “House of Shakira” evolved pretty fast from just being the bass player to writing the majority of both music and lyrics.  Back in Stockholm he also worked as an ensemble teacher in various music schools between ‘94 and ‘99.  During this period Per got his nickname Per$y by the fact that he was always broke, but relentlessly showed up in style to all the shows.  Being a creative person in general, Per$y found a new way to express his more theatrical side in the futuristic rock act “Spyke” that created a buzz when they entered the club scene in Stockholm in the year 2000 and two years later they released their debut album Divine. Decadence.  Ready for a challenge, Per saw a new opportunity to express himself when he heard that Steen had left ROYAL HUNT. Since “House of Shakira” opened for Royal Hunt on the Paradox world tour, and the bands got along really well, Per called Andre and asked if there were any chance that they would tour together again – but this time in the same band!

Marcus Jidell

Marcus Jidell was born In Stockholm on September 11th.  Raised in a big family where everybody played music, it came natural to him to start playing an instrument himself, so he picked up cello at the age of 8. A bit later he had been chosen to be a member of the Stockholm Opera children’s choir as well.  Marcus was about 14 when he fell in love with the sound of electric guitar - after listening to albums by Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen.  Promptly he locked himself in the cellar in his parent’s house during his entire teen years... to practice.  At the age of 19 he joined his first metal band “Jekyll & Hyde”, recorded three albums with them and did a long string of shows.   Since then he has been recording / touring with different artists, such as Bruce Kulik (KISS), Meja and The Ring, doing studio sessions and crafting his chops. When Marcus heard about the opening in ROYAL HUNT in November 2004, he immediately saw the possibility to unfold his creativity in such a diverse musical environment... a couple of months later he was heading for the NorthPoint Studio in Denmark to record his first album with ROYAL HUNT – Paper Blood.  His understanding of ROYAL HUNT’s complexity to play, yet simple to sing-along compositions, brings the band lavish guitar solos and solid rhythms.

Allan Sorensen

Allan Sorensen was born on 24th of April in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Kickstarted by his parents at the age of 4, Allan got his first drum-kit as a present. In the beginning he was influenced by the Danish rock and pop artists, but soon after he discovered the world of metal from bands like; AC/DC, Kiss, Saxon, Dio etc. During his teens, Allan hooked up with Mikkey Dee (Motorhead) in the rehearsal studio.  Mikkey became his great teacher and an inspiration of Allan's future career. His talented skills as a drummer were soon discovered by Danish metal band Narita, where he recorded two albums followed by the project Prime Time.  In  late 1996, Allan joined Royal Hunt to record the world acclaimed album “Paradox”, followed by a world tour with the band before becoming a full time member. After several albums and tours, Allan and the band parted company in the summer of 2000 (but, as usual, in the “Hunters Tradition” – staying in touch at all times). Then, Allan joined Cornerstone. He recorded four albums with them and played two European tours.  In 2004 Allan was invited by Andre to record Royal Hunt´s  “come back” album – “Paper Blood” and due to it´s success it was decided – once again – to join forces, starting with recordings of a “Paradox II” to complete the circle.