Johan K.
I really see myself as a happy person. But of course, I have been depressed sometimes. What I usually think about is thinking positive thoughts and taking walks in the woods where I can clear my brain of negative thoughts. Best of all is the music. When I get to play drums. Live, rehearsal, alone, studio etc. The music never disappoints me!
On Friday, March 13, 2020, Wolf released "Feeding the machine". We had a tour booked in Europe. There had been rumors of a virus that was deadly. We did not understand how serious it was until one day we found out that the rest of the tour was canceled. We started to feel sick, strangely sick, nothing you recognized. We came home and the whole band was infected with Covid-19. I hovered between life and death. Thanks to my wife, I survived this terrible viral disease. The way back was long, and I thought a lot about the meaning of life. I'm glad I'm alive today!
About Me
Powerhouse metal drummer…Proficient pop drummer…Sensitive all-around player. Regardless of style – technical and progressive or laid back and groovy – Johan Koleberg delivers exactly what the song needs. And he does it with precision and taste. Fagersta-born Johan Koleberg started playing drums at the age of 8. Like a lot of musicians of his generation, he started out as a Kiss fan, emulating Peter Criss’s “meat and potatoes” kind of playing before developing chops that his childhood hero could only dream of. After a few years of taking lessons, Johans drumming influences grew to the likes of drum gods such as Neil Peart (Rush), Jeff Porcaro (sessions and Toto) and Terry Bozzio (sessions, Frank Zappa, UK) Vinnie Appice, (Dio, Black Sabbath). Deen Castronovo (Journey). Phil Rudd (AC/DC). Dave Grohl.
At the age of 23, Johan moved to Stockholm where he joined AOR heroes Talk Of The Town at their peak, getting a taste of both nationwide and international success. An easy-going lad who likes the good things in life (without overdoing them), he had no problems finding new gigs when the band broke up. One of Scandinavia’s most accomplished rock and metal drummers, Johan soon became an in-demand player. Several bands followed – most notably progressive metal band Lion’s Share, with whom he released four albums and toured with acts Dio, Motörhead, Manowar, U.D.O., Saxon, Sweet and Dee Snider. Koleberg then joined critically acclaimed AOR band Ignition before joining the new line-up of glam rockers Zan Clan. Zan Clan played headline gigs, arena gigs and at festivals, sometimes sharing the stage with bands Whitesnake and Queensryche. The new Zan Clan album ”We Are Zan Clan – Who The F**k Are You?!” was released in April 2005 and enjoyed rave reviews from all over the world. Johan Koleberg has also laid down drum tracks for the long-awaited comeback album by ex- WASP guitarist Randy Piper’s Animal. In addition to his full-time commitments Koleberg joined Therion 2008 until 2016 and made 3 albums, several headline tours and festivals around the world..
Leaving Therion to join Hammerfall as a session drummer while ordinary drummer, due to family reasons. ”Built to Tour 2017” started in Europe and then USA. The festival summer was mostly headline shows.
2019 it was time to join the Swedish heavy metal band WOLF! Played drums on the album “Feeding the machine”. The upcoming tour had to be canceled after half the run because of Covid19.
​
After many years Koleberg finally had the time to have his own drum studio called Koleberg Recording. During covid19 the studio has been busy with lot of recordings.
Koleberg has done several sessions as well as touring and performing with some of Sweden’s biggest names and others such as U.D.O Kee Marcello, Jan Johansen, Carola, Christer Björkman, Mats Ronander, Treat, Martina Edoff, Tony Martin (ex Black Sabbath) Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Journey) and many others.
