Review Eldfödd "Risen from the Flames"

Eldfödd, which means “fireborn” in Swedish, is a new band formed in 2025 by Sebastian Ramstedt, best known as the guitarist for Necrophobic, but also for his other great band called In Aphelion. He has gathered other deserved veterans of the Swedish scene around him, who have played or helped out in such illustrious bands as Firespawn, Witchery, Under the Church, General Surgery, Interment, In Aeternum, and countless others—a lot comes together in such a musical life. This first official sign of life from Eldfödd was released by the Norwegian label Edged Circle Productions, which also released In Aphelion's first EP. The four tracks, which clock in at just under 20 minutes and also include the two tracks from the “Beyond the Fire” demo released digitally in early March 2025, are available on CD, limited edition colored vinyl, and as a very limited edition box set (only 30 copies) with vinyl, tape, shirt, and other items. The latter of which is already sold out and is sure to be a much -in-demand collector's item.

INTERVIEW JOAKIM STERNER (NECROPHOBIC / UNHALLOW)

"In the summer of 1982, when I was at a summer camp, a guy there showed me Iron Maiden and I was hooked right away."

There was no specific reason for this interview, I had been carrying around the idea of doing a Necrophobic interview for a while. Since they say that the first experiences are among the most formative, it's also logical that "The nocturnal silence", Necrophobic's debut from 1993, made a lasting impression on me. Although it was by no means my first death metal album, it was one of the first that I got back then, along with bands like Unleashed, Obituary, Morbid Angel, Grave, Benediction, Bolt Thrower, Asphyx and Cannibal Corpse. Of course, it's difficult to filter out aspects like nostalgia, but when I listen to the album today with its outstanding songs, then one must definitely attest to the album being one of the strongest and most important albums in Swedish metal history, especially because it was already the anticipation of the fusion of death and black metal. And of course all albums of this band are exceptional, especially the last two captivate in a different, more refined way. Nevertheless, for this interview, I have concentrated on this debut album in particular. Drummer and founding member Joakim Sterner, who has another band called Unhallow at the start (more details in the interview), answered my questions.