INTERVIEW: Metalheads, get ready for Rifforia
Photo: Rifforia is set to release Axeorcism on Metalville Records. Photo courtesy of the band / Provided by Metalville Records with permission.
Rifforia, the new Swedish metal band featuring Fredrik Johansson as bandleader and drummer, is ready to release its debut album, Axeorcism, March 15 on Metalville Records. This new band grew out of an old group called Tuck From Hell, which released the album Trashing a dozen years ago, according to press notes. Johansson and guitarist/bassist Marcus Bengts are still around from those early days, and they are now joined by Nils Patrik Johansson on vocals and Magnus Fredriksson on guitar.
Those two Johanssons are related. Nils Patrick (Astral Doors, formerly of Civil War) is the father to Frederik, so Rifforia is a family affair. Together they have recorded Axeorcism, featuring 10 head-banging tracks. Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Frederik to learn more about the recording effort. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How did Rifforia first form and start its journey as a band?
Rifforia was created in the ashes of my old band I had with Marcus Bengts. We are metal maniacs and have played together since we were 15. A couple of years ago we started working on Axeorcism and got my father to sing on it. He also wrote the vocals and lyrics to the songs. We recorded the album in 2023 and are really happy with how it came out.
What can fans expect from your debut album with Metalville?
It´s quite a unique sound, thrash metal with powerhouse hevay metal vocals. We are inspired by bands like early Metallica and Megadeth, but we still have a modern touch on our music and round things up with some black metal melodies as well. It’s fast, it’s heavy, it’s melodic, and Marcus really shred on the guitar.
What’s your hope with the new album? Are you trying to gather a larger international audience?
We do this for fun, but obviously it would be great to get some recognition. We are prepared to put in the work, hit the roads and see were it will take us. The reviews of the album have so far been really good.
Would you define the sound as metal or thrash metal?
Modern heavy thrash metal, if that’s a genre; that is what we play.
What’s it like working in a band with your father?
It´s great, no problems. I was raised on metal and hard rock, and we got pretty much the same view on things. He has taught me and Marcus a lot. He is a true professional, and the vocal recordings went super smooth.
Why does Sweden love metal so much?
Probably becasue it’s freezing cold here during winter and not much else to do than creating metal. Metal is also a good soundtrack to the snow and cold. That´s my guess!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Rifforia’s debut album, Axeorcism, will be released March 15 on Metaville Records. Click here for more information.
