Interview Sacreligious

Emerging from Gothenburg’s thriving underground, Swedish death metal newcomers Sacreligious channel old-school brutality through a modern lens. Vocalist Felix discusses their debut album Brutality Incarnated, Studio Fredman sessions, songwriting, live intensity and international ambitions.

1. Sacreligious was formed in Gothenburg in 2024, a city with an enormous legacy in death metal. How much does your hometown and its extreme music history influence the band's identity and sound?

Naturally we have all been inspired by the Gothenburg death scene but musically we’re not that close to it.

2. You draw inspiration from classic Swedish death metal bands such as Entombed and Dismember, while also taking influence from newer acts like Sanguisugabogg. How do you balance those old-school and modern influences without simply sounding like a copy of either?

We have an old school attitude while also being influenced by the modern death

3. Before the album, you released two demos that were recorded and produced by the band yourselves. What did you learn from those early recordings that helped you approach the debut differently?

We understood to a greater degree what it means to record music which helped us prepare for the album.

4. Brutality Incarnated was recorded, mixed and mastered at Studio Fredman. What was the experience like working at such a legendary Gothenburg studio, and how did that environment affect the final sound of the album?

We felt a bit nervous at first which affected us negatively but quite quickly that nervousness let go and we became much more focused.

5. The album combines a raw and filthy death metal character with a high production standard. How important was it for you to preserve that underground feeling while still achieving a powerful and clear production?

It was very important for us to keep that old school feeling while still keeping up with modern quality. We want a sound that is noticeably human in a world infested with ai.

6. Looking at the tracklist, songs like “Occasion for War,” “Trench Raid” and “Consume the Flesh” immediately suggest violent and intense imagery. What subjects or ideas tend to inspire your lyrics?

The lyrics are mostly inspired by personal interests and observations of today’s political environment.

7. How does the songwriting process usually work within Sacreligious? Does a song typically begin with a guitar riff, a drum idea, vocals, or does the whole band build it together during rehearsals?

 Usually, the songwriting begins with either of our guitarists showing up with a new riff or song idea that the band then perfects together with the lyrics usually being the last thing to reach completion.

8. With two guitarists, William and Hugo, how do you approach creating riffs and arrangements together? Do you divide responsibilities between the two guitars, or do you develop most parts collectively?

Both guitarists contribute with riff ideas that they then arrange together with some input from the rest of the band.

9. Your live shows have taken you to venues, skateparks and festivals around Gothenburg and beyond. What have those experiences taught you about performing death metal, and how important is physical energy to a Sacreligious show?

The most important thing for a Sacreligious show is for the band to give of an insanely high level of energy that leaves the audience stunned.

10. Brutality Incarnated is being released independently on September 25, the same day you play a major show in Stockholm. What makes that particular day important for the band, and what are you hoping to experience with the album finally out in the world?

We had that show planned for like a year in advance and all of our preparations for the album would be completed in time so decided to make it our release show. The goal with the album is to show our music to the world.

11. Sacreligious is still a young band, but you have already built a presence in the Swedish underground. Looking beyond the release of Brutality Incarnated, what would you like to accomplish next, both in Sweden and internationally?

We want to reach out international audiences and experience new countries and venues.

sacreligiousband Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree