In the wake of the global phenomenon which was director Peter Jackon's sprawling 'Lord Of The Rings' movie trilogy Swedish musicians vocalist / drummer Jake Samuel, guitarist PONTUS NORGREN and guitarist / bassist Marcus Jidell founded the Tolkien inspired THE RING in 2003. Samuel (a.k.a. Jakob Samuelson) has a track record with acts such as YALE BATE, TOTEM, JET SET BABY, GRAND SLAM, JETLAG, TALISMAN, TREASURELAND and JEKYLL & HYDE. Norgren has issued solo product and also boasts a tradition with GREAT KING RAT, JEKYLL & HYDE and DAMAGE DONE. Jidell is another JEKYLL & HYDE veteran.

Like Jackson, the trio conceived a tryptychal concept piece, the first album on the Italian Scarlet label, 'Tales From Midgard', including a the MIDNIGHT BLUE, RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and CORNERSTONE credited Doogie White adding guest vocals to the track 'Voices Of The Fallen Kings'.

THE RING's touring line-up for 2004 comprised Jakob Samuel on vocals, Pontus Norgren and Marcus Jidell on guitar, GASTON, TUMBLEWEED TRAIL and E-TYPE's Johan Dereborn on bass and QOPH drummer Federico De Costa. In this formation the band lent support to MOTȪRHEAD and SEPULTURA German dates during December. Marcus Jidell joined Danish Rockers ROYAL HUNT in early 2005.

Norgren and Samuel achieved national acclaim in in February 2006 when it was revealed they were members of spoof Rock band THE POODLES. The band won one of the four qualifying rounds in Sweden's competition to find an entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest with their '80s styled track 'Night Of Passion'. THE POODLES in fact comprised a cast of seasoned veterans and, alongside Norgren and Samuel, involved bassist Pontus Egberg of LION'S SHARE repute and drummer Christian Lundqvist.