Progressive death metal Swedes Skyfire formed in the small town of Höör in 1995.Their signature sound: epic and atmospheric - almost bordering on symphonic at times - but never self-indulgent nor pretentious. Skyfire pulled off this concoction flawlessly and immediately caught the attention of record labels all over the world. The band signed with Hammerheart Records, who notably boasted Control Denied (featuring late Death mainman Chuck Schuldiner and ex-Death/Iced Earth drummer Richard Christy) as well as Johan Liiva ’s (ex-Arch Enemy) Hearse on their roster at the time.
Skyfire’s first full length album Timeless Departure was released in March 2001 and was recorded at Abyss Studios with Tommy Tägtgren. Their groundbreaking debut, which beautifully combined the tasteful use of keyboards to create a symphonic atmosphere with elements of melodic death metal, black metal, and power metal, lit up the metal world like a blistering inferno. The press hailed Skyfire as one of Sweden’s biggest break-out artists and Timeless Departure became an instant favorite in the metal underground. Skyfire followed their debut with Mind Revolution, a slightly more progressive outing, in 2003 utilizing Tommy Tägtgren once again as producer. Following a European tour with Ancient Rites, Blood Red Throne, and Thyrfing, Skyfire signed with Arise Records. The group's third effort, Spectral, was released in May 2004 and was recorded at Studio Underground. Similar to their previous works, Spectral was received with extremely high regard amongst the metal media and the band’s devoted fan base due to its heavy and ominous sound. Skyfire embarked on a Spanish tour with the legendary Dark Moor, followed by an appearance at the Busan Rock Festival (Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Rage) in South Korea shortly before their departure from Arise Records.
The year 2007 marks a new beginning for Skyfire, who are currently working on their highly anticipated new masterpiece to be released by Pivotal Rockordings (Sonic Syndicate, Zonaria, Blinded Colony, Stigma). Pivotal Rockordings and Skyfire collaborated for nearly twelve months in order to re-launch Skyfire into the metal world which resulted in a multi-album record deal in October 2007 and a summer release date for the currently untitled comeback album.
Band Lineup:
Joakim Karlsson (Vocals)
Martin Hanner (Bass, Keyboards)
Andreas Edlund (Guitars, Keyboards)
Johan Reinholdz (Guitars)
Joakim Jonsson (Drums)
Latest bulletin 03.10.09
SKYFIRE’s “Esoteric” Ready for Mixing and a Digital-Only EP Release Announced
Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE have wrapped up the recordings for the follow up to 2004's ‘Spectral,' entitled ‘Esoteric.' The al...
Swedish progressive death metallers SKYFIRE have wrapped up the recordings for the follow up to 2004's ‘Spectral,' entitled ‘Esoteric.' The album's music was self-produced at Powernest Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden, while vocals were produced by THE FORSAKEN guitarist Patrik Persson. ‘Esoteric' is set to be mixed by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, SONIC SYNDICATE, ZONARIA, THE ABSENCE) at Abyss Studios. The album will be released this fall via Pivotal Rockordings.Additionally, SKYFIRE and Pivotal Rockordings have teamed up to release a digital-only EP this summer featuring tracks that were written and recorded after the release of Spectral. More details to be announced shortly.