STARMEN (Sweden) formed in 2018 as a high-energy tribute to the rock heroes of the ’70s and ’80s, complete with bold, color-themed stage personas and their signature star-shaped makeup.
Their first three albums — Kiss the Sky, Welcome to My World, and By the Grace of Rock ’n’ Roll — were released via Melodic Passion Records and distributed worldwide through Sound Pollution Distribution, earning praise from hard rock fans and critics for their authentic, melodic sound. The band quickly cemented their position in the rock world with their own musical DNA.
Fronted by Kristian Hermanson (Red Starman), the band’s primary lead vocalist, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist, alongside Jonatan Samuelsson (Gold Starman) on bass and vocals, Andreas Lindgren (Purple Starman) on lead guitar and vocals, and John Hector (Silver Starman) on drums and vocals, Starmen combines strong melodies, tight musicianship, and a powerful stage presence.
On June 9, 2023, the band unleashed their fourth studio album, Starmenized, a collection of self-penned, hook-filled melodic hard rock wrapped in retro superhero-inspired visuals. The release was accompanied by a series of cinematic music videos and praised for its high production values and powerful songwriting.
On November 29, 2024, Starmen celebrated their first five years with the release of The Best of Starmen – Volume 1, a 20-track compilation capturing fan favorites and deep cuts from their growing catalog. Alongside the compilation, the band announced the upcoming release of their fifth studio album in 2025.
That fifth album, Starmenized II, delivers a mix of previously unreleased but top-tier tracks from the Starmenized sessions and the brand-new single Born to Rock, written and performed by Jonatan Samuelsson.
Produced by Kristian Hermanson, mixed and mastered by CJ Grimmark (Narnia), and featuring artwork by Samuelsson, the album is set for release November 28th, 2025.
”The world that STARMEN create is an incredible world of good taste, harmonies, fantastic solos, rich ornaments and eared melodies”
Via Nocturna (Portugal)
”Just when I thought the Swedish har rock and melodic rock/metal scene had started to show signs of stagnation, out of the blue came these unknown STARMEN”
Glory Daze Music (Aus)
”Engaging, f*cking exiting! An explosive debut that revives a unique genre and far from extinction”
Metalhead (Ita)
”STARMEN gives us old school melodic hard rock/glam rock. And it is pure poison, it is also not possible to shake this off. Once the album has kicked off with ”Dreaming”. It is a bit like a slap in the face”
Rockfarbror (Swe)
Starmen make original music with a great passion. After the two first albums, the band has cemented their position in the rock world and has found their own musical DNA.
The third album “By the Grace of Rock’n’Roll” was released February 26th in Japan, and March 12th in the rest of the world.
Lineup:
Red Starman (Kristian Hermanson): Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Gold Starman (Jonatan Samuelsson): Bass, leaad vocals
Purple Starman (Andreas Lindgren): Lead guitar, vocals
Silver Starman (John Hector): Drums, vocals
Stockholm, October 24, 2025 Swedish hard rock band Starmen continues their journey toward their fifth studio album Starmenized II with the release of their brand-new single and music video “15 Minutes of Pain”, out today on all digital platforms. Following the...
Stockholm, September 26, 2025 Swedish hard rock band Starmen follows up the success of Starmenized (2023) with their fifth studio album, Starmenized II. The first single and music video, Trouble, is released today. Since their formation in 2020, Starmen have cemented...
Starmenized II
Album
(2025)
Shared #2 POSITION in Sweden Rock Magazine’s “The Jury”. (4 reviewers on 9 international releases.)
#1 POSITION in RockNytt’s “Best of the year according to Andreas Östlund”
Name
Magazine, Country
Starmenized
Album
(2023)
Shared #2 POSITION in Sweden Rock Magazine’s “The Jury”.
(4 reviewers on 9 international releases.)
#1 POSITION in RockNytt’s “Best of the year according to Andreas Östlund”
Welsh Gene
PowerPlay, UK
Jurgen Will
Rock It, Germany
“Since the great melodies also fit perfectly into the overall picture, I am absolutely thrilled and forgive STARMEN for perhaps appearing a bit artificial with the make-up.”
Peter Hollecker
My Revelations, Germany
”This is a super fun album flowing with infectious melody that sticks for days. High quality songwriting, excellent musicianship, and swaggering showmanship that I think eclipses many of the 70s and 80s classic rock heroes that they claim as inspiration. Starmen are true rockstars! If you like melodic hard rock or haven’t dusted off those old classic rock albums in a while, this album is for you.”
Sean Bailey
The Metal Resource, The Netherlands
”A pure and genuine tribute to what once was.”
Sweden Rock Magazine, Sweden
“A great album, and an album that shows Starmen are not slowing down.“
Therapy Through a Lense, UK
“Once again you’d have to say that Starmen have succeeded massively with Starmenized”
Sentinel Daily, Australia
“A work of art.“
Rock-Garage, Germany
“One thing is certain, however, and that is that it is not too early to tell Starmenized is a real time bubble that will easily cross the centuries and bring with it happy memories of a sweet, watered-down era. It is gems like this that keep the 80s alive.”
Rockportaal, Netherlands
“An album made up of ten songs of authentic explosive rock, with catchy choruses and virtuoso solos on a thunderous rhythmic base supported by keys that transport us to the last century.”
Stereophonic Magazine, Spain
”This is dynamic, melodic hard rock at its finest from Sweden – the right sound for a musical journey through time!”
Er Em Online, Germany
”Getting those good time feelings going.”
The Median Man, UK
“Magnificent melodic hard rock from Sweden as a successful tribute to the 70s/80s AOR and melodic hard rock glamor era.”
FFM Rock, Germany
”There is certainly something added to Scandinavian drinking water as those Northern Europeans have not just cornered the market in this style of rock, they’ve driven a bloody great flag into the middle of it, declaring it their own.”
Rockposer, UK
“This is definitely not a copy (of Kiss)! This is how 70s glam rock should sound today: modern, technically perfect and still breathing the spirit of the Good Old Times. The Swedes aren’t reinventing the wheel, they don’t have to and that’s a good thing.”
John Torronto
Bleeding For Metal, Germany
“Starmen haven’t reinvented rock but they know what the fans want in this genre and they deliver exactly that!”
The Maloik Rock Blog, Sweden
“Everything is just right: sound, groove, vocals, guitars, rhythm section, hooks…”
Jens Wilkens
Power Metal.de, Germany
”“Starmenized” showcases a band more concerned to show their 1970’s and early 1980’s roots beyond Kiss.”
Metal Addicts, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Soundcheck
Rock It, Germany
“The album simply meets all expectations of a classic/glamrock fan. Good, melodic sound, rocking beats, and just good mood. You get what you expect: fun of rock music! So, let’s get Starmenized…“
Streetteam Berlin, Germany
By the Grace of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Album
(2021)
#2 POSITION in Sweden Rock Magazine’s “The Jury”. (4 reviewers on 9 international releases.)
”Andreas Lindgren is a really excellent solo guitarist in the Blackmore-/Malmsteen-school”
Sweden Rock Magazine, Sweden
”Don’t let the gimmick fool you. These boys are really extraordinarily good.”
Metal Temple, USA
Welcome to My World
Album
(2020)
”The world that STARMEN create is an incredible world of good taste, harmonies, fantastic solos, rich ornaments and eared melodies”
Via Nocturna, Portugal
”Just when I thought the Swedish har rock and melodic rock/metal scene had started to show signs of stagnation, out of the blue came these unknown STARMEN”
Glory Daze Music, Australia
”Engaging, fucking exiting! An explosive debut that revives a unique genre and far from extinction”
Metalhead, Italy
Kiss the Sky
Album
(2020)
”The band has kept this passion and taste for classic hardrock from bands like these and in addition developed their own, fresh 2020-sound.”
Glory Daze Music, Australia
”To be completely honest, this album is in the top 3 this year already, and then I have only listened to it for half a day.”
The Maloik Rock Blog, Sweden
”Musically the band is more than convincing and shows a more unique sound.”
Arrow Lords of Metal, The Netherlands
Press photos 2022: Anna Lisa Hellqvist
High resolution images
High resolution images
MANAGEMENT:
MELODIC PASSION
melodicpassion.com
management@melodicpassion.com
E-MAIL:
starmen@jonomusic.com
Def Leppard, Fair Warning, Eclipse, Whitesnake, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Gotthard and Gathering of Kings, Nestor, etc.
Download all photos for the Starmenized-era.