Most people outside of Scandinavia probably aren’t aware there is a glam metal revival going on. Yes, from the lands of black metal and melodic death metal we are seeing a resurgence in bands that name-check Michael Monroe and Hanoi Rocks in interviews, but in reality are directly inspired by Skid Row, Poison and the rest of the Sunset Strip glam bands.  Here are three bands to know.

Crashdiet formed in 2000 in Stockholm Sweden and essentially kicked off the glam rock revival in their home country. Referring to their style as Sleaze Rock, which described both their music and their look, the band found inspiration in arena rock bands like KISS, Skid Row, and W.A.S.P. After finally securing a solid lineup the band self-released a 500 unit pressing of a demo that saw them signed to Universal in 2004. There is a long running story that the band were signed after a label executive saw the band outside a liquor store. The story, I’m sure, comes straight out of the Universal PR staff’s offices, but having worked for Universal for 15 years, I believe there is probably some truth to the tale. At least in their look being a big of a part as their tunes. Sadly, in 2006, Dave Lepard, vocalist and founding member committed suicide at the age of 26. The band soldiered on with new vocalist H. Oliver Twisted (Ollie Herman of Reckless Love; see below) on vocals for one album before naming a full-time replacement in Simon Cruz. The band soldiered on through all of the ups and downs and is still together today, having released four albums.

This Finnish quartet, which began as a Guns ‘N Roses cover band, started in 2001 under the name Reckless Life. When the G’NR concept didn’t work out – and other than Steel Panther, when does a cover band gig work out – the band changed its name to Reckless Love and started writing original material. Making the change to original music proved the right move when they won a local battle of the bands competition. The band soldiered on despite some member changes and other life challenges that they finally overcame when they signed their major label contract with Universal Music in 2009. The band has released three albums, Reckless Love (2010), Animal Attraction (2011), and Spirit (2013). Each of the band’s albums charted on the Finnish charts with both Animal Attraction and Spirit reaching the top ten. The band has toured to support each release, but have never performed in the states. The video for On the Radio, however, was filmed in Los Angeles.

By far the youngest of the new wave of Scandanavian hair metal (NWOSHM?) Santa Cruz are currently riding high off of their latest release. Starting the band in their teens, Santa Cruz avoided the cover band circuit (they must have learned from Reckless Love) and cut straight to the demo stage. Recording two demos, Anthems for the Young ‘n’ Restless and a self-titled EP, Santa Cruz signed a deal with Finnish label Spinefarm Records, which was once the home of Children of Bodom and Nightwish. In 2012, the band released their debut album Screaming for Adrenaline.