Sweden's Sci-Fi Metal Visionary: Edwin Premberg on Building METALITE's Universe.
Interview by Paul Marshall
The future arrives with a Swedish accent.
There are few things more surreal than sitting in New Zealand at 10.30pm, headphones on, waiting for a video call to connect halfway across the world. Then suddenly the screen lights up and there he is, Edwin Premberg, founder, guitarist, songwriter and producer of Swedish melodic metal force METALITE, speaking from his home in Sweden with a warm smile and a thick Swedish accent.
"Yeah, it's a pleasure talking to you."
The feeling was mutual.
Before the recorder officially rolled, we drifted into one of those wonderfully unplanned conversations musicians often have. I mentioned that my own band is called Hangar 18, instantly triggering a knowing smile from Premberg. Before long we'd abandoned earthly concerns altogether, discussing science fiction, the cosmos and humanity's endless fascination with what lies beyond the stars. It was the perfect prelude because METALITE's forthcoming album Discovery isn't simply another collection of songs, it’s another chapter in one of modern metal's most ambitious sci-fi universes.
As someone who has always believed the best concept albums transport you somewhere rather than simply entertain you, I was fascinated to learn when Premberg realised this sprawling narrative had become far larger than a single record.
"I think it was when we released A Virtual World," he explains. "It wasn't a concept album but it felt like it was. I tried to work the story a little bit more for Expedition One and at the same time blend in the other albums into the story. That was the time that I realised we need to have a concept for this."
It's a refreshingly honest admission. Rather than meticulously plotting an intergalactic saga years in advance, METALITE's universe evolved naturally, growing album by album into something much bigger than anyone initially expected.
Set in the year 2058, Discovery follows humanity's search for a new beginning after leaving Earth behind. While it sounds like pure science fiction, Premberg admits there are unmistakable parallels with reality.
"It could be," he says thoughtfully. "We're already discovering new stuff in space and we're trying to get as far as we can from this Mother Earth. I try to build a story as sci-fi-ish as I can. I really like to have these ideas in my head and create this stuff."
Naturally, that led me to wonder whether these galactic ideas influence the band's videos. Surely a universe this vivid deserves blockbuster visuals?
Premberg bursts into laughter.
"I think that's more of an economical problem."
He's right. Science fiction isn't cheap.
I jokingly suggest perhaps he should give Mr Spielberg a call.
"That would be awesome!" he laughs even harder.
The exchange perfectly captures Premberg's personality. Behind METALITE's polished futuristic image is someone remarkably grounded, humorous and genuinely passionate about creating worlds listeners can escape into.
The new album, Discovery, works on multiple levels. While the lyrical story concerns exploring new worlds, listeners will also discover something different musically.
"We worked a lot with the sound on this album," Premberg explains. "The most important thing I wanted to create was a little bit heavier album with more chugging and more low end."
That heavier direction has been helped enormously by new drummer Eric, whose arrival has injected fresh energy into the band's engine room.
"He's proven he is a real power metal drummer. It's a fantastic pleasure to work with him in the studio and see him create his stuff."
The result, according to Premberg, is a more authentic, organic METALITE without sacrificing the band's trademark melodic hooks.
Every great concept album has a centrepiece, and for Discovery, that song is "Starchild."
"It's the one that holds the concept," he tells me. "Everything's happening around the Starchild."
Already released as a single, "Starchild" perfectly showcases the band's evolving sound. Filmed inside a warehouse with subtle futuristic styling, the accompanying video focuses on performance rather than elaborate visual effects, allowing the music to remain centre stage. The band look every bit the modern melodic metal outfit they've become.
Although Premberg remains METALITE's principal songwriter, he is quick to acknowledge his collaborators.
"Robert Örnesved has written one or two songs on every album, including this one. Me and Erica create a lot of vocals and harmonies together when we record. It's a pleasure working with her because she's amazing."
Balancing the responsibilities of songwriter, producer and guitarist could easily become overwhelming, yet Premberg thrives on controlling every aspect of the creative process.
"I like to keep the control," he says. "We mostly work online in our home studios, so I need to get stuff happening fast. I really like to create and write in the same place and create the melodies when I have them in my head. That's very important for me."
Unlike many bands, METALITE don't test songs in front of live audiences before recording.
"The indicator is usually the band," he explains. "I have forty to fifty songs for every album, so it can be hard to choose."
Forty to fifty songs.
No wonder the final twelve tracks feel carefully curated.
One of the album's most powerful moments comes through "In Case Of Emergency." Musically heavier than much of METALITE's previous material, lyrically it explores friendship, compassion and being there for someone in their darkest moments.
"I would say everyone that's been in illness and deep thoughts, they always need a friend to talk to. That's the theme that inspired that song."
It serves as a reminder that beneath all the futuristic landscapes, artificial intelligence and interstellar travel, METALITE's songs remain deeply human.
That humanity extends to vocalist Erica Ohlsson.
I ask whether she ever interprets his lyrics differently from how he originally intended.
"Yes, sometimes," Premberg smiles. "But that's a good thing because I want people to have their own thoughts about it. I'll always tell her what my thought was because we need to stick to the concept, but I like people having their own interpretation."
It's an attitude many songwriters could learn from.
Although keyboards and electronic textures have always been central to METALITE's sound, Premberg deliberately pulled them back this time.
"I'm used to working with keyboards and they're a very important element for METALITE," he says. "But on Virtual World there were more keyboards than this album. This time I wanted the guitars, bass and drums, the classic metal elements, to be more in front."
The balance feels deliberate rather than reactionary.
Asked which song proved the biggest recording challenge, Premberg doesn't hesitate.
"'Supremacy Of One.' It has lots of ups and downs and different progressions. It was really hard to record but really, really fun."
It's exactly the kind of challenge progressive-minded musicians relish.
Having worked together across multiple albums now, has Erica Ohlsson inevitably influenced how Premberg writes.
"Not at first," he says. "But once we got used to working together in the studio, we could tweak the songs specifically for Erica's voice."
It's another example of how METALITE continues evolving without abandoning its identity.
One of the biggest surprises during the band's recent touring history came after Covid, when they embarked on a short Spanish tour.
"We didn't know we were so... bigger than we thought," Premberg laughs. "The fans were hungry to see us live and it was a really nice experience."
Moments like that remind artists that streaming numbers eventually become real people standing in front of a stage singing every word back.
Given METALITE's fascination with technology, our conversation inevitably turns towards artificial intelligence.
Unlike many musicians who either embrace AI completely or reject it outright, Premberg occupies the sensible middle ground.
"I like to work with AI, but just for helping me in production," he says. "Every DAW (Digital Audio Workstation, a software/recording platform) has built-in AI functions now. I think it's going to be there for a while, so you just have to adapt."
Perhaps my favourite moment of the interview arrives with a question I suspect no journalist has ever asked him.
If humanity really reached METALITE's fictional planet in 2058 and only one METALITE song could represent Earth's music to an alien civilisation, which song would it be?
Premberg pauses.
"That's a tricky question."
We both laugh.
"I bet you've never been asked that before."
"I would say 'Starchild'," he finally answers. "Because it's a song that creates happiness and positive thoughts for the future."
It's the perfect answer.
Hope has always been one of METALITE's defining characteristics.
Despite writing about collapsing worlds, dystopian futures and humanity leaving Earth behind, their music never feels bleak. Instead, it's optimistic science fiction, a soundtrack to possibility rather than despair.
As our conversation draws to a close, I can't resist asking the question every Kiwi metal fan wants answered.
Will METALITE ever tour New Zealand?
"I really hope that we can get there someday," Premberg says sincerely. "We're planning some Japan dates, so we really hope we can get to Australia too. It would be a nice country to experience. I really hope we get there."
Here's hoping promoters in Australasia are paying attention.
As the call ends, I thank Premberg for his time and compliment him on his excellent English. Speaking another language fluently is something I will always admire, especially when you're discussing complex ideas about songwriting, production and science fiction across opposite sides of the globe.
I came away convinced that Discovery isn't simply METALITE's next album. It feels like the natural evolution of everything they've been building for years, a heavier, richer and more confident chapter in a universe that continues expanding with every release.
If you're already a fan of melodic metal, Discovery promises everything you'd expect: soaring choruses, crushing riffs, cinematic keyboards and world-class musicianship.
If you're new to METALITE, this may well be your point of entry.
Either way, prepare for launch.
Make sure you check out METALITE's forthcoming album Discovery, due for release on 25 September.
In the meantime, you can already stream the outstanding singles "Our Time Has Come," "In Case Of Emergency"and "Starchild" on all major digital platforms.
Discovery Track Listing
- Our Time Has Come
- In Case Of Emergency
- Into The Maze
- Cyberspace
- The Metal Elite
- Neon Rain
- Echoes Of You
- Starchild
- Wings Of Fire
- Captive In The Past
- Supremacy Of One
- Triforce