Mayhem. Mystique. Metal. Few bands embody these elements as completely as Dark Funeral, the black metal legends hailing from Sweden. We caught up with Lord Ahriman, the band’s guitarist and founding member, during their North American tour with Morbid Angel and Grave. Here’s what he had to say about Swedish metal’s global mystique, the band’s upcoming album, touring life in 2025, and his thoughts on everything from politics to gun control.
“Yeah, We’re Swedish… Mostly.”
Dark Funeral proudly reps Stockholm, Sweden, but not everyone in the band was born there.
“We’re mostly Swedish,” Ahriman says, “but we have one guy from Germany. The rest of us are Stockholm-based.”
Sweden’s metal scene is often regarded with a kind of mythic reverence in the U.S.—and Ahriman understands the sentiment.
“Sweden has a great music scene in general, not just metal. But yeah, we’ve made a real imprint on the metal map.”
Bands That Inspire—and Obsess
When asked if any particular region holds musical mystique for him, Ahriman pointed to American death metal.
“Bands like Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse… they’ve always done it right. There’s a lot of great music from the States.”
But picking one favorite death metal album? That’s not so easy.
“I don’t really do favorites. I get into a record and obsess over it for months, then drop it for years. It all depends on the mood.”
This obsessive listening habit isn’t a phase—it’s part of how Ahriman connects with music. He describes himself as someone who sticks with what he loves and doesn’t jump from trend to trend.
On Tour with Old Friends
Right now, Dark Funeral is hitting stages across North America with Morbid Angel and Grave—a tour that feels like a reunion.
“Grave is from the Stockholm death scene too. We’re not exactly from the same era, but we came out of the same scene. Ola (from Grave) is from Gothenburg, I’m from the north—we both moved to Stockholm to focus on our music.”
Four weeks into the tour, the energy has been strong and consistent.
“New York and Portland were definite highlights. But overall, every show’s been great. The chemistry between all the bands is right where it should be.”
And what about the wild, chaotic tour life so many associate with extreme metal?
“That was us when we were younger,” he laughs. “Now we keep it professional. We want to give people a killer show every night.”
New Music on the Horizon
Fans have been waiting patiently for the next Dark Funeral release—their last full-length album dropped in 2009. So, is a new one finally coming?
“Yes, it’s planned for next year. We’re still writing, but things are moving forward.”
As for whether producer Peter Tägtgren (of Hypocrisy) will be involved again?
“Nothing is confirmed yet, but I’ll definitely talk to him.”
This will also be the band’s first album on their new label, and while it’s still early days, Ahriman says things feel solid.
“So far, so good. It’s our biggest and strongest label yet. They’re backing us fully, and that feels great.”
New Music on the Horizon
Fans have been waiting patiently for the next Dark Funeral release—their last full-length album dropped in 2009. So, is a new one finally coming?
“Yes, it’s planned for next year. We’re still writing, but things are moving forward.”
As for whether producer Peter Tägtgren (of Hypocrisy) will be involved again?
“Nothing is confirmed yet, but I’ll definitely talk to him.”
This will also be the band’s first album on their new label, and while it’s still early days, Ahriman says things feel solid.
“So far, so good. It’s our biggest and strongest label yet. They’re backing us fully, and that feels great.”
A Message to the Fans
Before wrapping up, Lord Ahriman left a message for the band’s U.S. supporters:
“It’s great to be back in the States. We hope to see as many of you as possible at the shows. This tour is absolutely killer, and we’re proud to be a part of it. Don’t miss it.”
Dark Funeral continues to stand at the forefront of black metal, blending relentless power with a sharp sense of purpose. Whether it’s on stage or in the studio, they remain committed to pushing the genre forward—on their terms.
Catch Dark Funeral on tour and stream wherever you get your music
Watch the full video interview below.
Interview by The Mighty Zee | Editing by Capital Chaos TV
Categories: Dark Funeral, Interviews
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