Tag: melech

September 20, 2024

Song of the Day: Melech - Befriare

This beast of a tune dropped in 2017, from Melech, a side-project of two members of Pantokrator (with Ricke Gustafsson handling all instruments and Karl Walfridsson on vocals and lyrics). The Swedish melodeath duo tread similar waters as their counterparts, but emphasize the melodic aspects of death metal even more strongly. I’m highlighting the English lyric version of the song here, but there is also a Swedish version. “Befriare” is Swedish for “liberator” and refers to the freedom Jesus won through his atoning sacrifice and resurrection from the dead, and yet also points to the hope of future resurrection for all who die in the Lord.… Continued →

January 13, 2023

Song of the Day: Pantokrator - The Order of Melchisedec

This Swedish death metal band formed in 1996, and has been active ever since. They immediately began recording cassette demos, initially focusing on traditional death metal and morphing over time into more a melodic and progressive take on the genre. Of course, Sweden is known for its melodeath sound, centered in Gothenburg, but Pantokrator are from the opposite side of the southern peninsula. Lyrically the band tend to feature songs about biblical mysteries, not your typical Christian metal fare. Rather than topics of salvation and judgment, they tell stories about obscure characters like the Nephilim, the legendary and quasi-biblical Lilith, and Melchisedec, featured here.… Continued →

February 18, 2021