Hi! How have you been?
I’m great, thanks!
Can you tell us more about Steps into Shadow?
We started writing this album three years ago, so it has taken quite a while to complete. A lot of the early material was scrapped because it simply didn’t capture the feeling we were searching for, or didn’t work within the context we had in mind. Rather than rushing the process, we kept refining the songs until the album felt complete as a whole.
Like our previous album, we wanted every track to stand on its own while still contributing to a larger journey. We wanted every song to feel different from the next — something we hope listeners will experience as they move through the record from beginning to end.
At the same time, we found ourselves drawn toward more traditional songwriting, taking more influence from traditional hard rock than from classic death metal. The riffs, structures, and melodies became more direct, hopefully without losing heaviness and intensity.
Did any particular event inspire you to write this album? Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
The album Steps into Shadow is dedicated to the Swedish working class and to the ongoing struggle for emancipation in an era marked by weakening democracy and the return of fascist ideas. The title track explores both the societal and personal decline imposed on ordinary people when those in power work to undermine unity and solidarity. At the same time, the song carries deeply personal themes, reflecting our complicated relationship with Ådalen – the industrial region in northern Sweden where we grew up.
The events of Ådalen in 1931, when Swedish troops opened fire on a striking workers’ demonstration during a labor conflict, served as a mood board and an important historical backdrop while writing the album — not only as a reminder of how violently the ruling class has responded to workers’ resistance in the past, but also as a lens through which to understand the tensions of the present day. The album imagines history beginning to circle back on itself: to a time when the working class may once again be pushed to rise up against those in power in defense of dignity, solidarity, and a future worth fighting for.
Granted, in the actual lyrics this is all presented in a rather abstract way. Personally, I believe all good art should be open to interpretation. But this is what we had in mind when writing this album.
Are there any plans to release a new music video for one of the tracks?
Not right now, but maybe in the future. We’re not particularly concerned with the usual expectations placed on a rock band when it comes to marketing strategies or social media trends. Our main goal is simply to release the album and let people engage with it on their own terms—whether that means connecting with it or dismissing it entirely.
To be honest, there’s already so much noise out there, and a fair amount of low-effort creativity dressed up as something grand. We’d rather stay slightly under the radar than add to that.
That said, music videos are still something we enjoy, so we might return to them eventually. Over the past few years, Erik and I have created a couple of animated videos—most notably two for Behemoth—but since we work quite slowly and each project takes a great deal of time and focus, we’re not prioritizing that at the moment.
Can you describe the recording and writing process for the album?
The first year or so was largely spent gathering and testing ideas, gradually shaping the album’s narrative. As with our debut, we worked from the small studio we have built in the basement of my house.
Initially, Erik and I recorded a demo version of the entire album and shared it with the rest of the band. Once everyone gave it the green light, we moved on to recording the “real” drums and guitars, before scheduling sessions with the other members.
Because we all live quite far apart and have a range of other commitments, the process took time—but it was also rewarding to watch the album slowly take form as Magnus and Petter contributed their parts – amazing players as they are.
For this record, we ended up using Arvid Sjödin from the band Floating to handle lead vocals. That final piece was added late in the process, and in my opinion it elevated the album in a fantastic way.
What was it like working with Awakening Records, and how did that relationship develop?
Awakening Records reached out to us about a year ago, so we’ve had them in mind throughout the final stages of recording. They come across as a hard-working and very dedicated label, operating at exactly the right scale for us as a band. On a larger label, we would likely get lost in the noise, whereas with Awakening we have a real opportunity to grow our audience in a more organic way.
It’s also the first time I’ve released music through a label based firmly in the Chinese market, which will be interesting to follow.
That said, Awakening is currently handling the release on CD only, so we’ll continue looking for options to bring the album out on vinyl as well.
To what extent did each musician influence the album?
Erik and I write most of the material, including parts for the other members, but always with their individual strengths in mind—and we actively welcome their input. By now, we have a good understanding of what each of them can bring to the table. Of course, both Petter and Magnus are capable of far more complex playing than what is heard on Steps into Shadow, but we trust that they understand the artistic intention behind it and what we’re aiming to achieve.
Are there any plans to go on tour?
No, not right now. Even one rehearsal would be a major undertaking at the moment, so a full tour is out of the question, sadly. That said, I think all of us would like to try these songs in a live setting at some point. We’ll just have to see when and how that becomes possible.
What else is happening in the world of GOLD SPIRE?
Our main focus right now is getting everything ready for the June release through Awakening Records, while also continuing to look for possibilities for a vinyl edition.
After that, we’ll consider our work on Steps into Shadow complete. Once it’s out in the world, it won’t really belong to us anymore—we just hope it finds its way to a few listeners who take it in, make it their own, and let it mean something beyond us.
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