Sweden’s relentless death metal unit RIKET has released a gripping new music video for “1948: Att döda ett barn”, taken from their forthcoming debut full-length album “2026”, set for release on April 10 via Black Lion Records.
Continuing their uncompromising exploration of Sweden’s darker historical chapters, RIKET once again transform collective memory into crushing death metal. With “1948: Att döda ett barn”, the band dives into a haunting cultural moment that left a deep scar on Swedish society.
The band shares insight into the meaning behind the track: “In 1948, Sweden faced a quiet crisis. Cars were getting faster. Speed limits didn’t exist. And traffic deaths were rising. So the National Society for Road Safety (NTF) made a radical choice: instead of advocating more rules, they turned to fear. They hired one of the darkest writers of the time, Stig Dagerman, and asked him to write a story that would make people slow down. What he delivered was ‘Att döda ett barn (To Kill a Child)’.
A short, devastating tale where a speeding car ends a child’s life. Cold. Inevitable. Unforgettable. The story was printed in a newpaper and later also broadcast as a short story on on national radio. The day after broadcast, many Swedes left their cars at home. Its impact was so strong it bordered on collective trauma. With ‘1948 – Att döda ett barn’, we revisit the story first published in 1948 and the short film that was made in 1953. This is our tribute to the power of storytelling and the effects it can have on the collective memory.“
Tracklist:
01. 1868: Sommar vid Vinterviken
02. 1867: Storsvagåret
03. 1965: Höghus och kultur
04. 1948: Att döda ett barn
05. 1885: Dödsdansen (i månskensnatten)
06. 1897: Mot polen
07. 1991: 2000 år (Saliga äro de tålmodiga)
08. 1937: Lågor vid portarna
09. 2009: Alla ska i jorden (Stefan Sundström cover)
With “2026”, RIKET present nine relentless tracks, each one rooted in catastrophe, blunder and human downfall. The album stands as a fierce exploration of historical undercurrents, delivered with unfiltered aggression and unwavering conviction.
“2026” was recorded and produced by Sverker Widgren at Wing Studios. Haunting artwork crafted by Axel Torvenius. The album drops on April 10 via Black Lion Records and is available for pre-order here: Physical | Digital
RIKET are:
Johan “Flid” Fridell – vocals
Tobias Jakobsson – guitars
Jussi Niiranen – guitars
Micke André – bass and backing vocals
Felix Wahlund – drums
For more info visit:
https://www.facebook.com/riket.official
https://www.instagram.com/riket.official
https://www.facebook.com/blacklionrecordsswe
https://www.instagram.com/blacklionrecordsswe
