The Swedish group Riket are this week’s featured Meet The Band artist. Their debut full-length album is 2026. Vocalist Johan “Flid” Fridell introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Riket.
Johan “Flid” Fridell: Riket started as a side project between me and Tobias (Jakobsson, guitar) while we were still active in Netherbird. It began as a way to explore something more direct and instinctive. Over time it grew into a full band with a clear identity, rooted in death metal and Swedish history. As Netherbird was laid to rest in 2023 we shifted the focus to Riket and things started to move for real. In some ways it is also a return to familiar grounds since I began playing death metal in the early ’90s, so it feels like I am closing a circle personally.
Describe the songwriting process for 2026.
The process is instinct first, structure later. We write a lot of material and let the strongest ideas surface. From there we shape the songs around the emotional core of each story rather than forcing them into a fixed formula. So we start out with riffs we like and assemble a basic song structure, then I write the lyrics and then we try the song out. We try not to make it too complicated, if it feels right it is right.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
The feeling of everything finally coming together. When the vocals were laid down, the songs stopped being ideas and became something real. We thought we had something good when we were writing these songs, but the finished album made us certain we have made something we feel is relevant. Now we will see if people agree with us.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
Restraint. Knowing when not to add more. The stories already carry weight, so the challenge is to support them without overcomplicating things. These days there are limitless options and things you can add in the studio, but we want to keep it as old school as possible so that we actually can play the songs live without any added on sounds. In some ways it is a return to how we did things in the early ’90s and I prefer that.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
At its core it is death metal, but not limited by it. There are elements of thrash, heavy metal, and even punk in there. It is raw, dynamic, and driven more by feeling than by genre rules. So I would say it is direct and very honest.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
We focus on real events from Swedish history, often where things went wrong. Failed expeditions, disasters, and moments where human ambition turned into disaster. It is less about history itself and more about the people inside those events.
How did you come to sign with Black Lion Records?
We have known Oliver, who runs the label, for many years. He actually released a Riket single already back in 2016. So the connection has always been there, and working together now felt like a natural step.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
To make something that feels honest and has weight. We are not chasing trends or numbers. If the album connects with people on a deeper level, that is enough. There is so much music coming out these days, and a lot of it is really well made, but we do think we bring something slightly different to the table by doing things very old school and where the ideas of the songs matter to ourselves deeply. Time will tell if it speaks to other people or not. That part is out of our hands!
How were the shoots for the two videos you’ve released?
Very different from each other, but both focused on serving the story of the song. We try not to repeat ourselves visually, just like we do not repeat ourselves musically. The response to the videos have been good, way above our expectations to be honest. We don’t have huge budgets so we try to do as much as we can ourselves and to the best of our abilites.
What has been your most memorable Riket live show?
Every show where things feel slightly out of control in the right way stands out. That tension is what makes live music real. We did a show just a few weeks back with our new guitarist Ture and we had only a few rehearsals to get him up and running. So that did add a level of uncertainty, that feeling of “risk” that makes a gig memorable. It went amazingly well, but that tension of not being fully “secure” is what makes live gigs so interesting. We do everything live, we have no click track or backing tracks, it is all happening in the moment, and that is what keeps me on my toes when we perform and I think I share that excitement with all the guys in the band.
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
We have shows coming up, including Inferno Festival in Oslo and the LG Petrov memorial show on a small but wonderful venue in Stockholm called Fredagsmangel. Beyond that we are actively looking to bring the album to as many stages as possible. We are planning on doing at least a shorter tour in central or eastern Europe during the year, and hopefully some other gigs as well.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
History is an obvious one. Beyond that it is a mix of everyday life, trying to stay grounded, and occasionally stepping away from music into movies or museums to keep perspective. I also enjoy video games and also to go out for a beer or three now and then.
Who are your top 5 all-time favorite Swedish death metal bands?
It is difficult to narrow it down, but bands like Entombed, Dismember, Grave, Desultory and At The Gates have all been important in shaping the scene we come from.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Just that 2026 is coming, and we are looking forward to bringing it to the stage. If you get the chance to see us live, that is where it all makes sense. Also: support your local underground scene, that is where the magic happens and why extreme metal still is a vital and evolving force of nature. Everything starts on the local stage with five people in attendance.
(interview published April 11, 2026)
Watch Riket – “1867 Storsvagåret” Video
