Doomed Confessionary: Erik Nordström & Martin Sandström (Möuth)
Photos by Håkan Schüler
Stockholm, Sweden based heavy rock trio Möuth recently signed with Bonebag Records to release their debut album »Global Warning« next year. Bringing together a wealth of experience from diverse musical backgrounds, a band that is fast establishing themselves as ones to watch for 2025.
Made up of long-time friends – Erik Nordström, Martin Sandström and Fredrik Aspelin – the band formed a union in the fall of 2023, bonded together over a shared passion for proto-metal, psych, doom and alternative rock with a flair for skillful song-craft and a rebellious punk ethos.
Crafting a potent blend of raw, energetic rock, Möuth’s forthcoming debut album, titled »Global Warning«, won’t be released until early 2025 but promises to deliver a sonic onslaught, covering themes that range from personal liberation to societal critique.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Erik: We’re an alternative heavy rock/metal band consisting of three lunatics who still haven’t given up on the rock ‘n’ roll dream. We’ve known each other for quite some time and have played in different bands together in the past. The most notable ones in the underground rock scene are probably Jeniferever and S:t Erik. Our music combines influences from proto-metal, heavy psych, goth, stoner/doom, garage, and lots of other stuff.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Erik: The biggest challenge, I would say, is being grown-ups with responsibilities and still making time for rocking. It was a bit easier when we were in our twenties and didn’t have thousands of other things to take care of. But at the same time, I think it’s a good thing that we need to make this a top priority to make it work. Being in our late 30s and early 40s means we don’t have time to fuck around, and it keeps us moving forward at a steady pace.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Erik: We formed this band in September last year and immediately set a goal to record an album before the end of the year (which was when I was going to become a father). We rehearsed and wrote songs like crazy all fall and recorded our upcoming debut album, »Global Warning«, in December. I’m proud that we pulled it off and that the plan worked. Oh yeah, and I did become a father in January, so that also went according to plan.
What was your biggest regret?
Erik: We don’t have regrets in this band. I’m deciding that now, haha. It’s only forward for us! Our individual regrets are a topic for another time.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Erik: We’ve only had two gigs, so we’ll have to get back to you on that.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Martin: Nothing on the music scene has really surprised me. But people who know nothing about me surprise me a lot when they think an independent/underground band makes money, or that being on tour is in any way glamorous. It just isn’t if you consider comfort, which is what most people do. But yeah, to me it is very “glamorous” in a way to get to travel and play music for people. But it’s hard work too, of course.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Erik: I’ve been super into this British band Loop recently. Oh, and I also just discovered this German band, Zahn, at Dunajam earlier this summer. They were great! I’ve also been listening to a lot of Tuareg desert blues over the last few years, like Bombino, Mdou Moctar, Tinariwen, and so on. Great stuff! When it comes to stoner and doom, it doesn’t get much better than Dead Meadow, Acid King, Electric Wizard, and High On Fire. Those are steady go-tos for me, at least.
Martin: I’m a goth fan, so I always listen to a lot of old Sisters Of Mercy, Fields Of The Nephilim, and The Cure. But I also kind of grew up with Black Sabbath and all that great classic stuff. I enjoy a lot of experimental and ambient music too. Lately, with this band, I feel I sort of pull from all of my different influences, which feels good.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Erik: “The audience comes last,” as Rick Rubin puts it. I think he’s pretty on point with most of the things he says about creativity and music. The idea behind that quote is that if you create something you love yourself, you’re making the best possible thing for the audience. I think it’s important to remind yourself of that every now and then.
Martin: Just keep on making music you love, and other people might find it and like it too. I would like to quote the great Andrew Eldritch from Sisters Of Mercy: “I don’t do the music for you, I do it for me.”
What are your guilty pleasures?
Erik: I don’t think I feel guilty or embarrassed about liking anything anymore. I listen to so many different styles of music, and it just does different things for me. I know that’s a boring answer, but I really can’t come up with anything “crappy” that I like!
Martin: I never feel guilty for liking bands like Toto or Rush, or other bands that a lot of people think are a bit cheesy. I love a lot of 80s hits like »Total Eclipse Of The Heart« by Bonnie Tyler and all the Bryan Adams hits.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Stockholm?
Martin: I don’t think there really is one in Stockholm where we live. Or maybe there is, but I don’t feel connected to it with this band or any other band or project. Or maybe a little bit connected to this more dark goth/synth thing, but more on a personal level than with this or any other band I have or had.
Erik: I think there’s a great music scene in Stockholm. I go to a lot of gigs with bands and artists from various genres. Tonight I’m going to see Damian Marley play, and next week I’m going to see the legendary Zamrock band Witch. The week after that, there’s another gig with this guitar duo called Hermanos Gutiérrez. With Möuth, I think we probably fit quite well in the stoner/doom scene, even though we don’t really consider ourselves a stoner band. However, my impression is that the stoner scene is doing quite well – both in Stockholm, Sweden in general, and globally.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Erik: That’s a question I would like to pass on to the promoters out there!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Erik: It’s the usual world domination plans, of course. But I think we’ll have to start by putting out the album and seeing where it takes us. We’ll probably do some gigs here in Sweden this fall, and hopefully, we can play some more festivals next summer. We really want to go on a European tour too, so if you’re a booking agent and you’re reading this – get in touch!
Martin: Well, we will put out our debut album »Global Warning« in a while, and yes, people should be warned. We will make noise, and people should listen.
How can people best support your band?
Erik: Listen to our music, spread the word, and come to our gigs! And also, follow us on social media. Here are some links: Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Erik: Be humble, be passionate, be non-judgmental. And keep on rocking in the free world!
Martin: Support real music and art and make a difference in this shitty, dying world. Everything else is rather pointless.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well