Royal Hunt

Royal Hunt is a Danish progressive metal group formed in 1989 by keyboardist André Andersen. Their music blends melody with progressive and symphonic elements. The band found its biggest audience in Japan and Europe during the mid-1990s, when American vocalist D.C. Cooper sang on the albums *Moving Target* and *Paradox*.

The lineup has changed many times over the years. In 2007, Mark Boals took over as lead singer from John West. In 2011, following fan and promoter requests, the band reunited with D.C. Cooper for a tour covering their first four albums. Cooper then became the permanent vocalist again, singing on *Show Me How to Live* (2011), *A Life to Die For* (2013), *Devil's Dozen*, *Cast in Stone*, and *Dystopia – Part 1*. Songwriting for *Dystopia – Part 2* was completed in October 2021, and the album was released on 28 October 2022.

For festival appearances in 2024, the band scheduled a temporary lineup featuring former vocalist Mark Boals and drummer Daniel Rasch Nielsen (from Statement), covering for D.C. Cooper and Andreas Johansson due to scheduling conflicts. This lineup performed at Leyendas Del Rock in Spain on August 7 and at Jailbreak Festival in Denmark on August 17. The band was crowdfunding toward recording a new EP in 2025.

In Japan, Royal Hunt is well known for the song "Martial Arts," used as entrance music for professional wrestler Masahiro Chono.

Current members are André Andersen (keyboards, piano, keytar, rhythm guitar), D.C. Cooper (lead vocals), Andreas Passmark (bass), Jonas Larsen (lead guitar), and Andreas "Habo" Johansson (drums). Former members include vocalists Henrik Brockmann, John West, and Mark Boals; bassists Steen Mogensen and Per Schelander; drummers Kenneth Olsen, Allan Sørensen, and Allan Tschicaja; and guitarists Jacob Kjaer and Marcus Jidell.