In a recent article, I stated that this is the decade of solo albums, and here is one more great release to add to that list. The album at hand, titled “Bad Bones,” comes from former H.E.A.T., NEW HORIZON, and SKID ROW singer Erik Grönwall, and is his first studio release of entirely original material since his recovery from a very serious health issue, leukemia. The album came out on May 22nd, 2026, via Greenwall Entertainment.
It’s always surprising to experience the art that comes out of pain, as sometimes that art is gloomy and dark, and other times it is vibrant and lively because each one of us processes trauma in different ways, and the end results are as varied as we are to each other. And “Bad Bones” is definitely an album born from a time of uncertainty and anguish, yet it is a veritable celebration of life. The melodies are bright and uplifting, the atmosphere is radiant and hopeful, while the vocals are emotional and intense. This leads to a collection of ten songs that are melodic and bursting at the seams with rockish energy and plenty of feel-good vibes.
Rooted in melodic rock, the album delivers big time on hooks, catchiness, and earworm melodies through its thirty-five minutes of playtime. There are also some orchestral swells in the background that add some drama and theatricality to the fold. However, the emphasis falls on the vocals as this is undoubtedly a vocally driven album, and it feels like, through these songs, Erik Grönwall is reclaiming his voice and his spot on the metal scene as a versatile singer with a rather recognizable sound. As such, the music draws from his work with his former bands without ever feeling like a rehash of any of those bands, but something entirely its own. It’s also an exorcism of his battle with such a nasty illness, which is reflected in the poignant and candid lyrics.
Getting to the nitty-gritty, the opening duo “Born to Break” and “Bad Bones” are high-energy tracks that perfectly set the stage for what this album subsequently delivers – melodic rock of the highest caliber but with a personal touch. Songs like the moody “Praying for a Miracle,” rock ballad “Who’s the Winner,” and the energetic “Hell & Back” feel like diary pages put to music as the uplifting melodies and soaring vocals are grounded by introspective lyrics. On the other hand, tracks like the melodic mid-tempo “Lost for Life,” catchy banger “Twisted Lullaby,” and the gritty “Save Me” are life-affirming anthems carried by crunchy guitars, groovy rhythms, and powerful vocals.
I really appreciate the way the songs build on each other’s energy and intensity, giving the album a neat sense of momentum. This also gives Erik Grönwall space to showcase his full range and vocal flexibility. His vocal delivery ranges from a rock style on something like the title track, or a rougher style on “Hell & Back,” all the way to a deeply emotional and delicate performance on “Who’s the Winner,” but especially on the haunting closing “Written in the Scars.” He even sounds bluesy (and a bit playful) on the sleazy “How High.” Point is, this album hinges so much on his vocals, and I do believe he delivers the performance of his life on “Bad Bones.”
To reiterate an earlier point, “Bad Bones” is not just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Swedish singer but also a celebration of life, and you hear his joie de vivre in every note, melody, and even lyric on this album. The polished production elevates it by highlighting the all-around wonderful performances that give so much vibrancy and frenzy to these songs. Bottom line is that “Bad Bones” is a stunning album that can put you in a good mood instantly with its energy and melodies while pulling at the heartstrings with how authentic and vulnerable it can be at times.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Born to Break
- Bad Bones
- Praying for A Miracle
- Who’s The Winner
- Lost for Life
- Twisted Lullaby
- Save Me
- Hell & Back
- How High
- Written in The Scars
Line-up
- Erik Grönwall – vocals
- Philip Näslund – guitars
- Anders Wikström – guitars
- Erik Mårtensson – guitars
- Fredrik Thomander – bass
- Pedro Moyà – drums
- Jona Tee – keys
Label
Greenwall Entertainment
