Gear Factor is back with an exciting new episode for 2025, featuring the incredibly talented YouTuber and guitarist of The Haunted, Ola Englund. This episode promises to be a captivating journey into the world of rock and metal, showcasing the artistry and dedication of one of the genre’s most dynamic figures.

For those unfamiliar with Gear Factor, this series has brought together over 100 rock and metal musicians who share their unique musical journeys. They reveal the first guitar riffs or drum parts they ever mastered, their cherished tracks from their youth, and memorable pieces from their discographies, culminating in insights about their latest albums. Each episode serves as a deep dive into the evolution of these artists and the sounds that shaped their careers.

We are particularly excited to kick off this season with Ola Englund, whose engaging personality and insightful interviews, especially through his series Coffee With Ola, have attracted nearly 900,000 subscribers on YouTube. His knack for sharing nerdy gear insights and his diverse creative expressions make him a beloved figure in the music community.

Englund hails from Sweden and is recognized as a leading figure in the death metal scene, passionately dedicating his craft to this genre. He has released eight albums with his long-standing band, Feared, and has been a pivotal part of The Haunted since 2013. Additionally, fans might remember his contribution to Six Feet Under’s acclaimed album Unborn in 2013, further showcasing his versatility as a musician.

Prepare for an exciting announcement as The Haunted has unveiled their upcoming album, Songs of Last Resort, marking their first release in eight years—stay tuned for more details later in this article!

Englund reflects on his early days learning the guitar, crediting Nirvana as a significant influence. He shares, “With Nirvana, I could play most of their songs using just three chords.” He fondly remembers borrowing his brother’s guitar and attempting to play ‘Come As You Are,’ which became one of the first songs he learned.

As is often the case with extreme metal musicians, Englund’s story begins far from his current status. His enthusiasm for playing guitar was truly sparked by Pantera, which also introduced him to the challenge of mastering pinch harmonics.

He recalls, “One day, I accidentally created a pinch harmonic,” realizing that the term ‘pinch’ refers to the technique of pinching the string. This moment sparked laughter and a newfound understanding for the guitarist.

In this episode, viewers can expect to hear a plethora of Pantera influences, as Englund was even considered to join the band during discussions about celebrating their legacy.

READ MORE: Guitarist Ola Englund Reveals Philip Anselmo Considered Him for New Pantera Lineup

Be sure to watch the full Gear Factor video below, where you can experience more of Englund’s favorite riffs, discover the first riff he composed for The Haunted, and much more!

Connect with Ola Englund on his social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.

Discover Ola Englund’s Favorite Guitar Riffs with The Haunted

Unveiling The Haunted’s New Album Songs of Last Resort

The Haunted is set to release Songs of Last Resort, their first album since the 2017 record Strength in Numbers. This highly anticipated album will drop on May 30 through Century Media.

The opening track titled “Warhead” sets the tone for the album.

Explore The Haunted’s New Track, “Warhead”

Vocalist Marco Aro describes the song as “an aggressive statement about the absolute horrors of the world we now have to live in!” This powerful message resonates deeply in today’s climate.

Guitarist Jensen adds, “When we were crafting this song, I knew we were onto something special for the album. The main riff struck me while I was at work, prompting me to take the afternoon off to capture that inspiration and record it before the feeling faded. The lyrics reflect on individuals in power being ‘warheads,’ thriving off the chaos of war. The intro sound effects were collaboratively created with Örjan Örnkloo (ex-Misery Loves Company), who also contributes to ‘To Bleed Out’ and the title track ‘Letters of Last Resort.’ I believe this song has all the makings to become a staple in our live performances for years to come…”

Don’t miss out on securing your copy of the new album at The Haunted’s official webstore, where you can find all the detailed information about the record right below.

Tracklist for Songs of Last Resort:
01. “Warhead” (03:39)
02. “In Fire Reborn” (03:18)
03. “Death To The Crown” (02:56)
04. “To Bleed Out” (04:29)
05. “Unbound” (03:34)
06. “Hell Is Wasted On The Dead” (02:53)
07. “Through The Fire” (03:01)
08. “Collateral Carnage” (04:03)
09. “Blood Clots” (01:30)
10. “Salvation Recalled” (03:26)
11. “Labyrinth Of Lies” (03:30)
12. “Letters Of Last Resort” (04:06)