Lets embark on a journey through the Swedish mythology and nature in this frostbitten interview with the up-and-coming Melodic Death Metal beast Northborn.

Northborn

The Headbanging Moose: First of all, thanks a lot for your time to chat with us. Can you please begin by introducing Northborn to our readers? When and how did the band start, and what changed since your inception?

Northborn: A frosted thanks that you gave us the opportunity to do this interview. Northborn is a passion project that aims to capture both the world mythos, no matter from what corner of the world the inspiration comes from, and to combine this with the blistering melodic death metal that ruled Finland during the early 2000s. Every song’s goal is to capture the feeling it’s written around to create something majestic and unique.

The band started when Björn had a writer’s frenzy and didn’t know what to do with all his ideas. Hence, he took contact with skilled musicians that looked for similar music he wrote and quickly he founded a burning core that became the frozen force that stands before you today.

And what has changed? Well, the concept of the band has evolved at record pace since we have such a great dynamic within the group. We all have honed our vision with the band, yet there’s room to grow. A band is never finished in its evolution.

THM: You have just released your debut self-titled album this year. What’s the general concept behind the album, and is it exactly the way the band was expecting it to be, or are there any elements you wish you could have done differently?

Northborn: The concept behind the album is partly to show the world that a new melodeath force has been born, hence the name of the album. We present ourselves at the same time that our debut now is “borned”. The concept grew with the songs, I’d say, but every song was chosen carefully to fit in a greater theme of myths and epic melodeath history. We had no clear view on what to expect when the album was released, but since it’s self-made, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished. And as for the future, we now have an ever clearer vision of what we want to evolve and try out. I cannot reveal it yet, but things are already moving in the shadows.

THM: The opening track Hymn of the North Star spans over six minutes and sets a majestic tone for the album. What went into the composition of this specific track to make it the definitive introduction to Northborn?

Northborn: We all decided that the listener would be introduced to a wall of symphonic melodeath the second they played the album, and we also saw that this particular track was a great representation of what Northborn has to offer. Björn spent a great deal to make all the parts flow seamless throughout the song, and the result speaks for itself in grandeur and epicness. Other songs were discussed, but Hymn of the North Star spoke strongest towards our vision when the song list was created.

THM: Songs like Yokai of the Lake hint at distinct cultural folklore. What drew you to include a Japanese mythological entity (Yōkai) alongside the otherwise heavily Nordic, winter-focused themes of the record?

Northborn: Since Northborn is founded with the world mythos as a vital core to its sound, it was only natural to expand the sound beyond the Scandinavian melodeath scene. Björn is a huge fan of eastern mythology and its richness and variety from the Nordic tales he grew up with. Japanese melodies and stories blended perfectly together towards Yokai of the Lake. It just came natural to him. When the rest of the band heard it, it was a given that it needed to be included on the album. We’re glad it did since it shows a variety we want to incorporate in the future. So rest assured that this is not the last song that derives from the Nordic melodeath sound.

Album Review – Northborn / Northborn (2026)

THM: You signed with Art Gates Records to release this debut. How did this partnership come about, and how have they helped you bring your vision of heavy Nordic music to a global audience?

Northborn: Björn is already a member of the Art Gates Records family due to his other band, Havamal. He knows the CEO and the crew well from before, and he spoke highly about the label with the rest of the members from an early stage. It was a given to speak to them when the band was in its early stages, and it has been a great cooperation since then. We cannot thank them enough for unleashing us onto the world.

THM: One of the main characteristics of your musicare the heavy influences from early 2000’s titans like Children of Bodom, Norther, and Ensiferum. How do you balance paying homage to these legends while establishing a unique voice for Northborn?

Northborn: All three of them are a huge inspiration to us, so we’re humbled that you mention them when speaking about our music. What’s important for us is to carve our own legacy in both melodies, stories, and variety while maintaining the core elements these legends brought to the scene. Our sound is both inspired and evolved, so to say. We want the audience to have that foundation when listening to us, while at the same time seeing the evolution towards the future our music does and will represent.

THM: Björn’s role handles both vocals and keyboards. How do you approach arranging the symphonic and keyboard layers so they amplify the aggression of the guitars without overpowering them, and how do the vocals are added into the mix?

Northborn: A song is written with a melody in mind, and while we iron out the song, we find the places where the instruments need to amplify the feeling that song is based around. Every section and instrument has a purpose, and that purpose needs to be clear through the dominant instrument in that section. It’s a thin line to balance, but our own studio master Tobey proved to be a musical wizard in this subject. The vocals have the same purpose as the instruments. But at the same time I think the vocals have an added role since they tell the verbal story to the listener. The music and the vocals enhance each other towards the end goal of the song. Usually the vocals grow from the melodies, yet a general concept of the song already exists from the first tones.

THM: How has the local Swedish metal heritage shaped your specific musical identity? I mean, coming from the land where Melodic Death Metal was born, it’s quite obvious such a unique style has a strong influence on your music, but are there any other elements from the Swedish culture that have a huge impact on your sound?

Northborn: Swedish melodeath and the Swedish metal scene are a great foundation for all of us. And since we all come from different musical backgrounds it just enhances the uniqueness of the sound Northborn presents. I’d also say that the majesty of our Scandinavian nature and mythological history have impacted the foundations of the band greatly since it gives a natural feeling of somber glory you hardly find anywhere else on Earth.

Northborn

THM: Any new bands worth listening to from the Swedish scene apart of course from Northborn? How’s your relationship with those bands or any other Swedish band?

Northborn: We have many friends in the Swedish scene since it’s a close community when starting out. It’s often passionate persons that you encounter, and since you have a common ground in metal it’s easy to kick off a conversation. And as for Swedish bands I’d recommend Riket, Eternal Evil, Zornheym and of course Havamal. We have a great relationship with all the bands mentioned here.

THM: Thanks again for your time! Please feel free to send your final message to our readers, and hopefully we’ll see you guys crossing the pond in the near future for some live performances in Canada and the United States!

Northborn: Thank you for having us! We would love to meet you guys after an awesome concert one day. Motherfrosters! Follow The Headbanging Moose, listen to our new album until your ears bleed frosted fire, and prepare for the musical darkness to come. Stay frosty!

Links
Northborn Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Bfan.link