The Swedish death metal band Sacreligious step into this week’s Meet The Band spotlight. The quintet’s debut album is Brutality Incarnated. Let’s meet Sacreligious.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Sacreligious.
Sacreligious: We began in 2024 and the line up consists of Felix (Vocals), William (Guitar), Hugo (Guitar), Filip (Drums) and Nellie (Bass). At the start of the band William was playing drums and Nellie bass, we were constantly changing members as we were looking for the perfect lineup. In the summer of 2025, after the first Sacreligious gig, the line up was finished. Sacreligious was a thrash band in the beginning, but we always leaned towards death metal. But we quickly found out that we wanted to play heavier and something that resonates more with what we like, for example Dismember, Suffocation and Sanguisugabogg.
Describe the songwriting process for Brutality Incarnated.
We all brought ideas to the rehearsal space where the songs are often refined by the rest of the band, with the songs being finished before the lyrics come in. Sometimes one present a song that is almost finished and other times the songs are made by jamming with each other. We often focus on energy within the songs. The lyrics are mainly written by our singer when the instrumentals are finished.
How was it recording at the legendary Studio Fredman?
At first we were a bit starstruck, but quickly we loosened up and focused on the album. Fredrik Nordström (Studio Fredman) also had his own inputs about the record, for example maybe a riff could be played in a slightly different way to help forward the feeling we were looking for.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
When our drumming Filip Staberg (who was fifteen at the time of the recording) finished the whole eight track record (approximately 30 minutes of music) in a single day.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
The day before the vocals were recorded, we had a gig at a venue in Gothenburg. It was pretty tense to go directly from the studio to the venue, and then right back in the studio. Sadly this affected our singers’ voice as well.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
Fast, scooped and brutal, with a old-school approach on the production.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
The lyrics are mainly focused on anti-religion and war, but our song Hellscape is about the corruption of power in the upper class.
What led you to go the independent route for the album release?
We want our music to be completely owned by us. We also want those who want to support us, to actually support us rather than a company already making lots of money.
What are your goals and expectations for the record?
Our only goal is to show our art to a larger crowd.
What has been your most memorable Sacreligious live show?
When we played at The Abyss, our expectations were already pretty high, but we weren’t prepared for how good the crowd was. We completely sold out of all the merch we had brought and delivered a great set.
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
We are already planning a Europe tour at the beginning of 2027 and have lots of other good shows and festivals coming up.
How is the metal scene in Gothenburg these days?
The underground metal scene in Gothenburg, is growing rapidly and fusing with the already pretty large hardcore scene.
Who are your top 5 all time favorite Swedish death metal bands?
Entombed, Dismember, Grave, At the Gates and Merciless.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
Warhammer, reading and history.
What’s currently in your musical heavy rotation?
Nile – Those Whom The Gods Detest, Morbid Angel – Altars Of Madness and Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Check out our brutal debut releasing 25 September on all streaming platforms.
(interview published September 26, 2026)
