Necrofier is back and with their third LP, Transcend into Oblivion, set to release Feb 27 on Metal Blade Records. This album sees a more evolved sound, and while vocalist / guitarist Bakka Larson likes what they did on 2023’s Burning Shadows in the Southern Night, he feels they have accomplished so much more on this one. He says this album ended up where he always wanted to go while he dug deeper into the journey and himself along the way.
“It’s one of those things I really love to do,” affirms Larson. “I love all aspects of music, so it doesn’t seem like work. Putting in extra hours on it, or just doing everything that needs to be done just how I feel it should be done.”
At the core, Necrofier is a black metal band. But with this new record, they dabbled with cinematic synths, escalating their sound. Teaming up with Metal Blade also provided the extra push they needed to grow.
“We really needed someone to jump on with us, and put in the extra work and cares about the band,” says Larson. “This is the big thing that’s going on with them right now. They really pursued us and they’re pushing the record the way I feel like it should be pushed. Everything’s going well.”
The album leans conceptually on the number three. It’s a three-act structure, with three three-part suites, separated by three instrumentals. The first act, “Fires of the Apocalypse, Light My Path,” is the awakening. Act two, “Servants of Darkness, Guide My Way,” grows darker and showcases the struggle and torment the awakening brings. The final act, “Horns of Destruction, Lift My Blade,” is the rebirth.
“The intent for the triads was there,” explains Larson. “I’ve always wanted to do a Luciferian Dark Night of the Soul album. There’s a zillion different parts, and I narrow it down to the three categories that go along with that. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a couple years.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a career thus far, at one point, seemingly almost at the end. His previous band, Venomous Maximus, ended in 2018 and he thought that might be it. He pivoted, started Necrofier, and the rest is history. All it took is a little big of resilience and passion.
“When that happened, I was in my late 30s,” admits Larson. “I feel like most people hang up music in their early 30s. People write music and do some things, but not seriously pursue anything. The resilience to keep going and start something and then pushing Necrofier; I did more that I had done previously with any other band. Later in life, I feel like that is a lot more difficult.”
Transcend Into Oblivion is out tomorrow, and you can preorder it from Metal Blade Records. Follow Necrofier on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo Credit: J Donovan Malley
