DESTINY from Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s first real progressive heavy metal bands. The band was formed in 1982 and released their debut album in 1985. Destiny has always been active and have never split up, although there have been one or two lineup changes over the years. This year Destiny celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a digital worldwide release of the band's back catalog, which means that several albums that were previously discontinued now will be available for the first time in many years.

Photo by Lillian Christiansson

Destiny's founder Stefan Björnshög , the band's bassist and main composer, has for several years been thinking about how to best take advantage of the new opportunities that digital distribution offers. About a year ago he ran into Magnus Högdahl, who had just started the record label 44 Skull Records that specialize in digital distribution. After a short discussion about the music industry they exchanged contact information and soon after that Magnus returned with an offer from 44 Skull Records. A few meetings later, it was clear that this was the solution to Stefan's thoughts on digital distribution.

44 Skull Records has now signed a digital distribution agreement with Destiny. The plan is to release Destiny's back catalog on the sub-label Gothenburg Legacy Records, while the anniversary album The Incompatibility Of Philosophical Terminology will be released on 44 Skull Records.

First up this spring are Destiny's two latest albums Future Of The Past and "Beyond All Sense 2005, and one or two digital singles from the anniversary album. The agreement does not apply to CD, vinyl or other physical formats.

The anniversary album The Incompatibility Of Philosophical Terminology is Destiny’s first album since 2005, and when the band hits the stage this coming fall it will be the first time since 2006. In other words the anniversary year 2013 is nothing short of a big comeback for the legendary Gothenburg band. And because it is an anniversary Destiny also plans a big, as yet undisclosed, happening in November 2013.

Destiny today consist of singer Jonas Heidgert, bassist Stefan Björnshög, guitarist Michael Åberg, drummer Roger Christiansson and keyboardist Carl Dahlberg.

Another completely new album, Global Warming, is almost completed and will be released in 2014.

More on Destiny here.