Swedish duo Soturi have honed an explosive sound that merges the modern aggression of metal with the melancholy of Scandinavia and they describe as “fast, fierce and melodic.”
Soturi is formed of vocalist Gabriel and guitarist Andreas, whose musical journey began in the local metal scene of Västerhaninge, just outside Stockholm, in their teenage years. They’ve built a strong creative partnership through various bands, including Comrades of Mine, which began in 2018, Dödsdikter between 2011 and 2018, and more atmospheric and post-metal projects Entroy from 2013 to 2014 and thall from 2021 to 2023.
As Gabriel explains: “Each of these projects helped us refine our sound and develop a unique musical language that naturally evolved into what Soturi is today. Soturi was founded in 2023 out of a shared vision, and working as a two-man project gave us the freedom to shape that vision without compromise. After more than a decade as bandmates, starting Soturi was the next logical step, a project that fully represents our combined sound, identity, and creative direction.”
And on the sound they’ve created, Gabriel continued: “Soturi is best described as a fusion of melodic death metal and modern deathcore influences, shaped with a strong emphasis on epic atmosphere and relentless intensity. Our sound draws from the Scandinavian melodic tradition while pushing it into a heavier, more aggressive direction.
“Listeners will hear elements inspired by bands like At The Gates, All Shall Perish, Molotov Solution, and Wintersun. But ultimately filtered through our own vision of creating something both melodic and uncompromisingly powerful.”
Our latest taste of this is the wonderful Puppet Master, which was released at the end of last month and they describe as: “A track forged in resistance. Faster, angrier, heavier than anything we’ve released before.” True to that, Puppet Master dives straight into intense screamed vocals over unrelenting guitars and drums in a vicious introduction.
The pace continues unabating, flowing into a fusion of wild vocals and dark melodic guitars, which drop into low-tuned guitars and brutal drums, before finally slightly relenting. Slower guitars and drums give us a little breather, before diving back into wild vocals and guitars. A vicious echoey cry leads into powerful screams and crushing guitars and drums, which feed into a delicious guitar solo. That gives way to a final barrage of brutal drums and vocals to bring the track to a lively ending.
On the track, Gabriel said: “The reception to Puppet Master has been overwhelmingly positive, and in many ways it feels like listeners recognised this release as the natural next step for us. People who have followed Soturi from the beginning seemed to expect, and even hope, that we would push the tempo, sharpen the aggression, and fully lean into the intensity that defines our sound. With Puppet Master, we delivered exactly that.
“For those who only know us from our debut EP The Struggle For Peace, this new track might come as a shock. It’s a clear escalation in both anger and energy, showing a more unrestrained and evolved version of Soturi. And for anyone who’s never heard us before is in for a ride. This track sets the tone for where we’re heading, and our upcoming material will continue to push further in this direction.”
That follows on from last year’s debut EP The Struggle For Peace, which packs an equally heavy punch but offers a more melodic edge, including the superb Defenders and a personal favourite Phoenix Wings, before closing with the intense Nightmares.
The Soturi sound is heavily influenced by Scandinavian melodic death and modern deathcore. That includes bands like In Flames, At The Gates, As Blood Runs Black, The Black Dahlia Murder, Wintersun, Fit For An Autopsy, Thy Art Is Murder, Whitechapel and Molotov Solution.
And on what inspires them to write music, Gabriel told us: “The driving force behind Soturi has always been the turbulence of the world around us. The project was born out of a period marked by global instability, like the pandemic, ongoing wars, rising authoritarianism, and the growing sense of social and political unrest both internationally and at home. All of this created a pressure that needed a voice, and Soturi became that outlet.
“Lyrically, we focus on themes such as injustice, war, societal collapse, and the collective struggle against forces that seek to suppress or divide people. Our music is, in many ways, a response to the anger, frustration, and determination that come from witnessing a world in crisis. The name Soturi means ‘warrior’ in Finnish, and it reflects the spirit we want to embody. Standing up, resisting, and giving strength to those who feel the weight of everything happening around them.”
There’s much more to come from Soturi as the duo are constantly writing new music. Their current focus is on expanding and refining the sound established with Puppet Master, so expect new music as they continue developing that direction. “Our goal is clear: to keep creating, keep evolving, and release more material that we’re truly proud to put into the world,” Gabriel explained. “There’s plenty in the pipeline, and we’re just getting started.”
And Gabriel added: “We want Soturi to be the soundtrack to your daily battles, a voice that cuts through the noise and reminds you that you’re not fighting alone. Our music is created for those who refuse to back down, for people who feel the weight of the world yet choose to stand up anyway. We stand with everyone who struggles, who resists, and who refuses to let their voice be silenced. That spirit is the core of Soturi, and it’s what drives every song we create.”
You can follow Soturi on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
Listen to Soturi and more new metal on our Spotify playlists GigRadar Core and GigRadar Metal
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