Carl Johan Grimmark (born October 14, 1977) is a Swedish guitarist. He has appeared with several influential Christian metal bands including Narnia, Saviour Machine, and Rob Rock. He recently joined the band Beautiful Sin in 2006, he has also played with Jerusalem on some occasions including Sweden rock in 2015. He also has been a special guest guitarist on fellow Narnia bandmate Christian Liljegren's side projects Divinefire and Audiovision. He recently recorded his debut solo album that is set to be titled Grimmark, where he also handles the lead vocals. Grimmark's style of playing, especially on Narnia's earlier work, is often compared to the neo-classical metal stylings of Yngwie Malmsteen[1], or under a more broad genre, neo-classicism.
Carl Johann Grimmark | |
|---|---|
 Grimmark in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | October 14, 1977 |
| Origin | Huskvarna Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Genres | Heavy metal Progressive metal Power metal Neo-classical metal Christian metal |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Website | Official Website Official Myspace |
Grimmark is the main composer in Narnia, and on their album The Great Fall most of the lyrics were written by him. On their other albums the lyrics have been written by their vocalist Christian Liljegren. Grimmark is also given credits as a producer on several of Narnia's albums.
Grimmark has become a highly acclaimed guitarist in the Christian hard rock music genre as more people are exposed to his solid technical abilities, which can be exemplified by the fact that he is credited for playing every instrument on Narnia's first album, Awakening, and his unique approach towards incorporating a neo-classical sound into his music.
Discography edit
German Pascual edit
- The New Beginning (2012)
Fullforce edit
- One (2011)
Narnia edit
- Awakening (1998)
- Long Live the King (1999)
- Desert Land (2001)
- The Great Fall (2003) (Not released in Japan)
- At Short Notice... Live in Germany (2006)
- Enter the Gate (2006)
- Decade of Confession (2007)
- Course of a Generation (2009)
- Narnia (2016)
- From Darkness to Light (2019)
Saviour Machine edit
- Legend Part III:I (2001)
- Live in Deutschland (2002)
- Rarities/Revelations (2006)
- Legend Part III:II (TBA)
Various edit
- Guitar Odyssey: Tribute to Yngwie Malmsteen (2001)
- Return to Fantasy: A Tribute to Uriah Heep (2003)
Sanctifica edit
- Negative B (2002)
Rob Rock edit
- Eyes of Eternity (2003)
- Holy Hell (2005)
- Garden of Chaos (2007)
- The Voice of Melodic Metal - Live in Atlanta (2009)
Locomotive Breath edit
- Train of Events (2003)
System Breakdown edit
- 102 (2003)
Divinefire edit
- Glory Thy Name (2004)
- Hero (2005)
- Into a New Dimension (2006)
- Eye of the Storm (2011)
Audiovision edit
- The Calling (2005)
Flagship edit
- Maiden Voyage (2005)
Planet Alliance edit
- Planet Alliance (2006)
Deep Effect edit
- Deep Effect
Grimmark edit
- Grimmark (2007)
Solo effort by guitar phenom Carl Johan Grimmark, best known for his work with melodic metal band Narnia. Grimmark handles vocals himself on this outing.
Empire 21 edit
- Empire 21 (2014)
Members:
Ricard Hulteke: Vocals
CJ Grimmark: Guitars & Key's
Andreas Ålöv: Bass
John Svensson: Keyboard
Tobias Enbert: Drums
Genre: Melodic Rock/Metal
Origin: Jönköping, Huskvarna, Gothenburg & Borås, Sweden