BIOGRAPHY of
A guitarist of the classic metal/hard rock school Lars was first discovered by Mike Varney (Guitar Player Magazine and Shrapnel Records ) in 1985. After playing and touring with various local hard rock bands Lars recorded and released the 4 track vinyl EP “Can’t Go On Without Your Love” in 1987. Soon after this Lars
signed to Black Dragon Records, a French indie label for which he recorded 3 albums Eternity (1988), No Surrender(1989) and the all instrumental Electric Voodoo (1991). Eternity and No Surrender were released in Japan by FEMS , while the instrumental Electric Voodoo was picked up by Leviathan Records in USA and released under the Title “The Exciter”in 1992, and then in 1995 it was released in Korea by SKC.
In 1992 Lars teamed up with Swedish singer Conny Lind who had been in Los Angeles working with Alex Masi and together with Drummer Tony Mattsson and Bass player Michael Ahlskog they formed the band VISION and recorded 1992 ‘s album Lars Eric Mattsson’s VISION which went down very well specially in Japan where
It was once again released by FEMS and in Europe by Roadrunner. The year after VISION recorded a follow up album, which were never released due to contractual problems and the band eventually split up. Around 1994 when Lars was found playing in cover bands doing blues classics and Hendrix covers Lars got in contact with another Swedish singer Bjorn Lodin, who had made 4 albums with his own band Baltimore. As guitarist Nikolo Kotzev left Baltimore Bjorn joined forces with Lars And recorded 1995’s album ASTRAL GROOVE,
which was blues based and quite Different from Lars previous
releases. More or less ASTRAL GROOVE came out Of Jamming ideas but the band split up very
soon.
In 1996 Lars wanted to give VISION a second chance and recorded the VISION Album
“Till the End of Time” which was his most laid back melodic almost AOR release
ever. The album got very good reactions and was a living proof that melodic hard rock
still had an audience. Singer Randolph Reymers made his debut as lead singer after having
sung backing vocals on several albums before VISION.
As VISION was taking a break from recording Lars went into in studio at the end of august
1997 with a bunch of new songs which definitely will show that hard work pays off. This
new album was Lars finest hour with his best guitar playing ever as well as some of his
better compositions. Add to that singer Bjorn Lodin who never sounded this good before!
The reviews of “Obsession” were excellent, Progression magazine of USA called the album 1998’s best guitar album and it was clear to everyone that Lars had taken a major step forward, but Lars felt it was just the beginning of a new era. In the autumn Lars begun writing for another album and just to make things more interesting Lars invited some Friends and well known musicians to guest on the project. These included : Patrick Rondat (Jean Michel Jarre) Rob Johnson (Magnitude 9), Erik Norlander (Lana Lane, Rocket Scientists) Pär Lindh (Pär Lindh Project) Esa Pietilä and more… in January 2000 “Another Dimension” was released and soon became Lars biggest success this far, both artistically and commercially.
After completing “Another Dimension” Lars recorded an album with the progressive project “Condition Red” which was also released in the year of 2000. On this album Lars was joined by musicians such as Alex Masi and Derek Sherinian. A follow up to this album will be released during 2003. In 2001 Lars re-released his debut album “Eternity” in a completely new version and also participated on “Warmth in the Wilderness – A tribute to Jason Becker” with 3 songs, one together with Mark Boals. Lars is also featured on the second volume of this album with the songs “Colors”. In 2002 Lars started working on the new MATTSSON album, this time joined by singer Lance King (Balance of Power/Empire). “Power Games” is Lars most complex release this far.
