Gothenburg, Sweden's METAL MONARCHS - a tribute to heavy metal featuring members of HAMMERFALL, DREAMLAND and DRAGONLAND - will reunite for a run of shows in 2013.

Following a lengthy hiatus, the band are ready to roll once again, stating: "Now it's time to take the classic metal to the masses again."

Formed in the fall of 2003 by Oscar Dronjak (Hammerfall) and Mats Rendlert (Dreamland), with Jesse Lindskog (Dragonland) and Eric Rauti (Dreamland) joining shortly thereafter. Dan Cardesjö (THE BREEDING) was enlisted on vocals, and this five-some performed numerous times together throughout 2004. Dan was replaced by Jonas Heidgert (Dragonland) in the beginning of 2006, expanding the number of songs the guys could execute extensively with his wide vocal range.

The object was - and still very much is - to play songs they love from their favourite bands, trying to come as close to the original as possible. That includes the little nuances in tone in guitar solos, drum fills, the wailing on the vocals etc. Being the die-hard heavy metal fans they are, having enjoyed listening to the songs thousands of times collectively, this is very important. And that is where the tribute aspect comes in. The name Metal Monarchs is a play off of MANOWAR's Kings Of Metal, but instead of referring to themselves, it's the songs being performed that the monicker is aimed at.

Metal Monarchs lineup:

Vocals: Jonas Heidgert (Dragonland, DESTINY)

Guitar: Oscar Dronjak (Hammerfall)

Guitar: Eric Rauti (Dreamland, TORCH)

Bass: Mats Rendlert (Dreamland, SANDALINAS)

Drums: Jesse Lindskog (Dragonland)

Updates to follow.