Bjorn Englen Signature & Picture Custom Guitar/Bass Pick (by Pick Guy)

Bjorn Erik Englen was born on October 9, 1971 in the city of Vaxjo, Sweden. He started his musical career as a drummer in 1984. Despite drums being a natural choice, within a couple of months he switched to bass guitar. In 1993 Bjorn re-located to Los Angeles, California and in 1994 became the bass player for the multi-platinum selling band QUIET RIOT (the first Heavy Metal group to ever reach No. 1 album on Billboard).

Shortly thereafter, in the spring of 1995, he formed the group SOUL SIGN which has since then toured the US and Europe. The current line-up includes Ted Nugent/Malmsteen vocalist Mark Boals, and is currently working on their forthcoming album.

In the late 90s and early 2000s Bjorn worked extensively as a sought after L.A. session bassist recording at many of the major studios with countless name artists incl. members of Elton John, Heart, The Supremes, Alice Cooper, Sweet, Paul Rodgers & many more.

From 2004-2006 he joined forces with MSG/Survivor vocalist ROBIN McAULEY touring throughtout the US, as well as recording and performing as the band Bleed.

For the next five years from 2007-2012 Englen came to be the bass player for neo-classical guitar icon YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, touring all over the world incl. America, Europe and Asia in front of audiences as big as 60.000 people.

In 2010-2013 he also did numerous performances with Scorpions guitar legend ULI JON ROTH. Since 2011 Bjorn has been touring worldwide with guitar/keyboard virtuoso TONY MACALPINE. In 2011 he was concurrently working with three of the biggest guitar gods of all time!

In 2012 Englen became a member of The Official Dio Band DIO DISCIPLES (featuring longtime Dio members Craig Goldy, Simon Wright & Scott Warren). Managed by Wendy Dio the group has since then toured worldwide with more to come.

Throughout his career Bjorn has also spent some time educating upcoming bass players and musicians through numerous clinics & master classes worldwide incl. major schools like Musicians Institute & L.A. College of Music, as well as clinics for EBS amps & Carvin guitars.

He estimates having played about 2000 live shows and performed on over 50 albums.

His latest project, power metal group, BLACKWELDER's debut album has received sky high reviews everywhere and reached the top of the charts. Because of the strong material and powerful, famous line-up the band has been rated the new "metal super group" by countless major magazines and websites worldwide.