Showing posts with label BESVÄRJELSEN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BESVÄRJELSEN. Show all posts

Thursday, 13 August 2026

Besvärjelsen - Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem - Tracklist

1.The Greatest Sin

2.Accelerating Hearts

3.Battles

4.Counting Flies

5.Drifters on a Quiet Stream 

6.The Mountain

7.Pulse

8.Interlude

9.Didn't Come to Party 

10.Black Wave

11.Oblivion


Members


Lea Amling Alazam – vocals

Staffan Vinrot – guitars, vocals (& accordion, violin, keys, keyed fiddle)

Andreas Bajer – guitars, vocals

Erik Bäckwall – drums

Marcus Lindqvist – bass


Review


Doom/Stoner Metallers Besvärjelsen return with their third full length album Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem and the band are on FIRE exploring their own great style of Forest Rock. A great take on the standard Desert Rock sound but Besvärjelsen add a grounded Mountain Rock vibe into their music. It’s not exactly Appalachian based but it’s fuelled by NORDIC passion. 


Besvärjelsen transform their music into a heavier dimension which comes across very early on within the excellent batch of opening tracks of THe Greatest Sin, Accelerating Hearts and Battles which is one of the strongest collections of tracks I’ve heard to open an album within a very long time. As Besvärjelsen fully set the scene for the album with massive stadium sized grooves and heartfelt vocals to match. The real standout from the very start is the emotional delivery from Lea Amling Alazam who has never been better with excellent support from Staffan Vinrot and Andreas Bajer along the way. 


The album does have a gloomy Grunge and Sludge based aspect which remains grounded and brilliantly heavy with flashes of Psychedelic Doom showing you that Besvärjelsen mean business with levels of that intense “Forest Rock” transforming into a great style of Meditative Doom Metal with echoes of Classic Blues Rock and vintage Hard Rock giving way into a subtle Heavy Metal presence. 


There’s levels of great distortion and amplified feedback with instances of pure soul that develops into wonderful sounding instrumental sounds that even bring a foreboding style of Prog Metal into the mix that channels the likes of Mastodon and Baroness along the way. One of the other main things that stands out on the record is the exquisite and emotionally charged lyrics which pull no punches throughout the album perhaps on tracks The Greatest Sin, Battles, Drifters On A Quiet Stream, The Mountain, Didn’t Come To Party and Oblivion. 


Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem is everything you want and wholly expect for a modern day Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal record. As on this form alone, Besvärjelsen can easily aim for the same great heights that King Buffalo and Howling Giant have achieved recently. This record has that similar type of emotionally charged and uplifting energy those bands are known for. 


Besvärjelsen are continuously finding new ways of developing their own great blend of Heavy Psychedelic music with some detours into Sludge Rock, Shoegaze and Occult Metal which gives this album a highly unexpected and sometimes slightly unorthodox style. This is one of my favourite things about the whole album as you don’t know what to expect with certain individual sections of the record. 


I’m ashamed to say this is my first time reviewing Besvärjelsen on the blog and I have no excuse for missing their other two superb records as they’re bloody brilliant in their own right as well. However, Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem is the record that sealed the deal for me. This record has a fearless attitude that allows the band to deliver one of the best Heavy Psychedelic records of the year. 


Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem is an absolute joy to fully experience with it’s non-stop style of classic tracks throughout. Besvärjelsen have delivered the goods with this album and I recommend to everyone to add this to your record collection at the very earliest opportunity. 


Awesome. End Of.


Words by Steve Howe


Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.


Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records.


Links


Friday, 10 July 2026

BESVÄRJELSEN reveal lyric video power ballad 'Drifters on a Quiet Stream' taken from forthcoming new album "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem"


Swedish forest rockers BESVÄRJELSEN unveil the beautiful lyric video 'Drifters on a Quiet Stream'. This power ballad comes in watercolour style with images bearing strange fruit as inspired by the album cover of their forthcoming third full-length "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" (Swedish and Latin for: "Into Oblivion").

"Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" is scheduled for release on August 28, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records. The album is available for pre-order here: https://spkr.store/collections/besvarjelsen


BESVÄRJELSEN comment: "'Drifters on a Quiet Stream' had the working title 'Elton' as Elton John was one of the musical inspirations for this song", drummer Erik Bäckwall reveals. "The intro and main riff was originally intended to be a part of another song. When I got our former bass player Johan to listen to the riff, he rather advised me to create a completely new song from this part. I am really glad now that I did that."

Lea Amling Alazam adds: "This track explores the ever-present companion of the self – the voice that follows you through life, both to comfort and to critique", the vocalist explains. "It is the quiet presence on your shoulder. When writing those lyrics, I revisited an old notebook and found a phrase I had once scribbled down: '...my ghost and I'. I'm not sure where I first came across this idea, but it stayed with me. It felt like a beautiful and honest way to describe living alongside your own anxiety, and I knew from the start that I wanted to build something around it."


Tracklist

01. The Greatest Sin
02. Accelerating Hearts
03. Battles
04. Counting Flies
05. Drifters on a Quiet Stream
06. The Mountain
07. Pulse
08. Interlude
09. Didn't Come to Party
10. Black Wave
11. Oblivion


Swedes are supposed to be cool, and musically, BESVÄRJELSEN sure live up to that stereotype in the best possible way. What the self-proclaimed forest rockers deliver on their third full-length "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" is so cool, in fact, that it's a hot early candidate for rock album of the year.

The 'forest rock' moniker is the Swedes' tongue-in-cheek answer to the term 'desert rock', which stylistically provides a great starting point to describe their particular musical brand. Being surrounded not by an abundance of sand but trees in their home province of Dalarna, it was also an obvious choice. On "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem", BESVÄRJELSEN keep a profound punk-infused attitude, but have broadened their sound with a wide variety of sonic colours including blues, ska, metal, jazz and everything around and in between as long as it fits the mood of the song.

Add exceptional vocalist Lea Amling Alazam, who developed her passion for punk and stoner rock at the local skate park when she was just 13 years old, to the band's plethora of riveting hooks and riffs, and you get an album that feels fresh and ready to deliver surprises for months if not years to come. If there is any justice, "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" should make BESVÄRJELSEN as famous as the iconic wooden Dala horses that every tourist who visits the country takes home to put on their shelves.

That BESVÄRJELSEN were on the road to greatness became apparent on their previous album, "Atlas" (2022). This record received the prestigious Swedish Manifestgalan Award for "Metal Album of the Year" by the Swedish Independent Music Producers and partners, which crowned a string of excellent reviews around the globe.

BESVÄRJELSEN were co-founded by guitarists and vocalists Andreas Bajer and Staffan Vinrot in 2014. Their musical vision was based on the idea to channel the spirit and traditions of the vast Dalarna forests into a contemporary urban context. On this ancient crossroads of Norse and Finnish cultures, the echoes of runes and gods, shamans and spirits still linger. While drawing heavy inspiration from local lore, mysticism, and the dark, old musical traditions of their homeland, the band name was found in the old Swedish word for "conjuring": BESVÄRJELSEN.

While the band's story has its roots in the past of the land, the present came boldly knocking to demand its due. With the discovery of Lea Amling Alazam and her captivating vocals, the plot took a fascinating twist: She had grown up with her feet in more than one world. Accordingly, the charismatic singer added a fresh approach by embracing melodies and phrases of the grunge and emo sounds that defined her youth as well as African and Middle Eastern music with characteristic bluesy undertones.

In 2015, BESVÄRJELSEN released their debut EP "Villfarelser", followed by the "Exil" EP in 2016. At the time, former DOZER and GREENLEAF drummer Erik Bäckwall joined the line-up as a permanent member. Although both EPs were self-financed and released with minimal promotion, they ended up well-received, and even got airplay on Swedish national radio.

The Swedes' debut full-length "Vallmo" (2018) merged crushing riffs and storming drums with increasingly sophisticated melodies and thoughtful themes, even earning the band a festival slot opening for DEEP PURPLE. This paved the way for BESVÄRJELSEN to record their sophomore album "Atlas" with producer and drummer Karl Daniel Lidén (GREENLEAF, DOZER, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX) in 2021.

With "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem", BESVÄRJELSEN have conjured 'Into Oblivion' twice, in both Swedish and Latin, but the spellbinding five-piece also deliver a cathartic rock album that will rank among the finest heavy releases of the genre and beyond in 2026

Line-up

Lea Amling Alazam – vocals
Staffan Vinrot – guitars, vocals (& accordion, violin, keys, keyed fiddle)
Andreas Bajer – guitars, vocals
Erik Bäckwall – drums
Marcus Lindqvist – bass

Guest musicians

Fred Burman (SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY) – lead & backing vocals on 'Accelerating Hearts' & backing vocals on 'Didn't Come to Party'
Pelle Andersson (LOWRIDER) – organ on 'Black Wave'

Recorded by Andreas Baier & Marcus Lindqvist at Glashuset, Ludvika (SE)
Mix & mastering by Karl Daniel Lidén at Tri-Lamb Audio Studios, Solna (SE)

Cover art by Björn Olars
Layout by Erik Bäckwall

Links



Thanks to All Noir PR for the details.

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

Stoner Metallers BESVÄRJELSEN unveil video single 'Didn't Come to Party' & details of new album "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem"


Swedish forest rockers BESVÄRJELSEN drop the first advance single from their third album "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" (Swedish and Latin for: "Into Oblivion"), accompanied by a slightly disturbing music video 'Didn't Come to Party' about that guy, the one nobody ever wants at their social gathering.

"Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" is scheduled for release on August 28, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records. The album is available for pre-order here: https://spkr.store/collections/besvarjelsen


BESVÄRJELSEN comment: "There's a scene in the Titanic movie that has always stayed with me, when the musicians keep playing as everything falls apart around them", vocalist Lea Amling Alazam muses. "This is one of my all-time favorite moments in cinema, because it captures something important about music: the devotion, the need to create, and to hold onto something beautiful, even in the face of disaster. Like, we're literally going under, but hey, let's play. Dance to the sirens. In this day and age, it's hard not to be affected by the chaos of the world. 'Didn't Come to Party' is not a political statement but rather a cry of frustration. We're living on this incredible planet, so why are we destroying it? Why war, why poverty, why harm the most vulnerable, when we have the resources to make life better for everyone? This quite reminds me of people who show up to parties just to ruin it for everyone else. Why is there such a drive to hurt, to dominate, to tear things apart in the pursuit of power? It's senseless."


Tracklist

01. The Greatest Sin
02. Accelerating Hearts
03. Battles
04. Counting Flies
05. Drifters on a Quiet Stream
06. The Mountain
07. Pulse
08. Interlude
09. Didn't Come to Party
10. Black Wave
11. Oblivion

Swedes are supposed to be cool, and musically, BESVÄRJELSEN sure live up to that stereotype in the best possible way. What the self-proclaimed forest rockers deliver on their third full-length "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" is so cool, in fact, that it's a hot early candidate for rock album of the year.

The 'forest rock' moniker is the Swedes' tongue-in-cheek answer to the term 'desert rock', which stylistically provides a great starting point to describe their particular musical brand. Being surrounded not by an abundance of sand but trees in their home province of Dalarna, it was also an obvious choice. On "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem", BESVÄRJELSEN keep a profound punk-infused attitude, but have broadened their sound with a wide variety of sonic colours including blues, ska, metal, jazz and everything around and in between as long as it fits the mood of the song.


Add exceptional vocalist Lea Amling Alazam, who developed her passion for punk and stoner rock at the local skate park when she was just 13 years old, to the band's plethora of riveting hooks and riffs, and you get an album that feels fresh and ready to deliver surprises for months if not years to come. If there is any justice, "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem" should make BESVÄRJELSEN as famous as the iconic wooden Dala horses that every tourist who visits the country takes home to put on their shelves.

That BESVÄRJELSEN were on the road to greatness became apparent on their previous album, "Atlas" (2022). This record received the prestigious Swedish Manifestgalan Award for "Metal Album of the Year" by the Swedish Independent Music Producers and partners, which crowned a string of excellent reviews around the globe.

BESVÄRJELSEN were co-founded by guitarists and vocalists Andreas Bajer and Staffan Vinrot in 2014. Their musical vision was based on the idea to channel the spirit and traditions of the vast Dalarna forests into a contemporary urban context. On this ancient crossroads of Norse and Finnish cultures, the echoes of runes and gods, shamans and spirits still linger. While drawing heavy inspiration from local lore, mysticism, and the dark, old musical traditions of their homeland, the band name was found in the old Swedish word for "conjuring": BESVÄRJELSEN.

While the band's story has its roots in the past of the land, the present came boldly knocking to demand its due. With the discovery of Lea Amling Alazam and her captivating vocals, the plot took a fascinating twist: She had grown up with her feet in more than one world. Accordingly, the charismatic singer added a fresh approach by embracing melodies and phrases of the grunge and emo sounds that defined her youth as well as African and Middle Eastern music with characteristic bluesy undertones.

In 2015, BESVÄRJELSEN released their debut EP "Villfarelser", followed by the "Exil" EP in 2016. At the time, former DOZER and GREENLEAF drummer Erik Bäckwall joined the line-up as a permanent member. Although both EPs were self-financed and released with minimal promotion, they ended up well-received, and even got airplay on Swedish national radio.

The Swedes' debut full-length "Vallmo" (2018) merged crushing riffs and storming drums with increasingly sophisticated melodies and thoughtful themes, even earning the band a festival slot opening for DEEP PURPLE. This paved the way for BESVÄRJELSEN to record their sophomore album "Atlas" with producer and drummer Karl Daniel Lidén (GREENLEAF, DOZER, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX) in 2021.

With "Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem", BESVÄRJELSEN have conjured 'Into Oblivion' twice, in both Swedish and Latin, but the spellbinding five-piece also deliver a cathartic rock album that will rank among the finest heavy releases of the genre and beyond in 2026

Line-up

Lea Amling Alazam – vocals
Staffan Vinrot – guitars, vocals (& accordion, violin, keys, keyed fiddle)
Andreas Bajer – guitars, vocals
Erik Bäckwall – drums
Marcus Lindqvist – bass

Guest musicians

Fred Burman (SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY) – lead & backing vocals on 'Accelerating Hearts' & backing vocals on 'Didn't Come to Party'

Pelle Andersson (LOWRIDER) – organ on 'Black Wave'

Recorded by Andreas Baier & Marcus Lindqvist at Glashuset, Ludvika (SE)
Mix & mastering by Karl Daniel Lidén at Tri-Lamb Audio Studios, Solna (SE)

Cover art by Björn Olars
Layout by Erik Bäckwall

Links


Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the details.