Drain STH: The Story of Stockholm's Most Underrated Rock Pioneers
Long before the world had fully embraced the idea of women dominating heavy rock, Drain STH was quietly rewriting the rules from their home base in Stockholm, Sweden. Known simply as Drain in their native country, the band adopted the suffix S.T.H. — standing for Stockholm — specifically for the North American market, and it was there that they would make their most lasting impression.
The roots of Drain STH stretch back further than most fans realize. Guitarist Flavia Canel and drummer Martina Axén first played together in a punk outfit called Livin' Sacrifice, a raw and energetic act that eventually evolved into a harder sound. That band transformed into Aphrodite, which ultimately folded in 1990 following the departure of vocalist Malin Ekholm. Undeterred, Axén and Canel joined bassist Anna Kjellberg in a new project called Ragdoll, which itself underwent further changes before the pieces finally fell into place. The addition of vocalist Maria Sjöholm, a former guitarist from Necro Nancy who had made the transition to frontwoman, completed the lineup that would become Drain. Signing with MVG Records in 1994, the band was fully assembled and ready to make their mark.
Musically, Drain STH occupied a fascinating space in the 1990s rock landscape, blending the raw emotion of grunge with the heaviness of alternative metal and hard rock. Their debut EP Serve The Shame, released in 1995, introduced audiences to a band that was unafraid to be both brutal and melodic. Their full-length debut Horror Wrestling, released in 1996 and later expanded in 1998, cemented their reputation as a serious force in heavy music. The record captured a band hitting their stride, delivering a sound that was simultaneously aggressive and deeply emotive.
It was on the road, however, where Drain STH truly proved their worth. Their live performances earned them coveted spots on the second stage of the legendary Ozzfest in both 1997 and 1999, sharing audiences with some of the biggest names in rock and metal. They toured relentlessly alongside titans such as Type O Negative, Machine Head, Megadeth, Godsmack, and even Black Sabbath, earning the respect of peers and fans alike with every blistering performance.
Their 1999 album Freaks Of Nature represented both a creative peak and a fascinating set of collaborations. The track Black was co-written by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi — who would later marry vocalist Maria Sjöholm — lending the record a connection to rock royalty. Equally surprising were two tracks, Simon Says and Right Through You, co-written by pop hitmaker Max Martin, demonstrating the band's willingness to push creative boundaries. Simon Says even found an unexpected second life as the entrance music for Extreme Championship Wrestling wrestler Simon Diamond, embedding the band into the fabric of late-1990s pop culture. Freaks Of Nature reached number 25 on the US Heatseekers chart and number 26 in Sweden, while the single Simon Says peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
The recognition the band deserved, though sometimes slow in coming from the broader public, was enthusiastically granted by those who paid close attention. In Metal Edge magazine's 1999 Readers' Choice Awards, Drain STH were voted both Female Performers of the Year and Most Underrated Band — a bittersweet honor that perfectly captured their position in the rock world. They were beloved by those who knew them, yet perpetually on the cusp of the mainstream breakthrough they so richly deserved.
Despite the momentum they had built, Drain STH disbanded in 2000, leaving behind a legacy that feels more significant with each passing year. The members scattered into various new projects: Axén eventually joined Snake River Conspiracy before pursuing solo work, Canel launched Anotherday and later managed Sonic Syndicate, Anna K played with Hanzel und Gretyl, Revolting Cocks, and Opiate for the Masses, and Sjöholm stepped away from music entirely following her marriage to Iommi. Though their time together was brief, Drain STH left behind a body of work that stands as a testament to the power of four musicians who refused to be defined by anything other than the sheer force of their music.