Hailing from the legendary Swedish death metal scene, Sarcasm are currently experiencing a monumental creative peak. With their brand new album, Lifeforce Omnibound, set to be unleashed on May 29th via Hammerheart Records, the band
continues to push the boundaries of their dark and melodic sound. Today, at Sound Stories by Jo and metalwar.gr, we catch up with the band to discuss their latest single Plunge Into A Paradox, the philosophical depths of the new record, and the relentless energy that keeps the Swedish death metal flame burning bright in 2026.
The interview is answered by Heval Bozarslan!
Jo: Welcome to Sound Stories by Jo and Metal War! Your new album Lifeforce Omnibound is arriving on May 29th. Does this title suggest a more cosmic or philosophical direction compared to your previous work?
Heval: Yeah, the title Lifeforce Omnibound is the overall theme of the album. The life force that is bound by all that is and is the primal law of the Universe. Told from non- physical’s perspective, basically that we are the creators of our own reality. it’s less metaphorical than the last album, more tangible perhaps, and perhaps more philosophical since a lot of questions are asked, but that depends how broad-minded the reader is. Questions about certain aspects of life are asked and answers delivered which I transformed into lyrics.
Jo: You just released this final single before the album drop. Why did you choose this specific track to represent the gateway to the new record?
Heval: Yeah we had two other “singles” before this track, but Plunged Into A Paradox In my opinion represents the band perfectly. That song has everything this band has ever been about. Melodies, speed, heaviness, intricity, catchiness etc. Actually the other songs would have been a good choice also, but this one I think has that extra special twist to it.
Jo: You continue your journey with Hammerheart Records. How has their support influenced the bands productivity, leading to this new release so soon after Mourninghoul?
Heval: Mourninghoul received very good response from everywhere, also from our label, and the new album was actually written by the time Mourninghoul was released. We are a very fast-working band as you probably have noticed, we’re always one step ahead. Of course all the support we get influence us and make us challenge ourselves, but the main influence comes from within as always. Hammerheart has helped us a lot and we think it’s a perfect label for a band like us.
Jo: With Lifeforce Omnibound, did you try to explore new sonic territories, perhaps more progressive or atmospheric, or is it a return to the raw essence of Sarcasm?
Heval: I think with the new album we explore all those territories. It’s a bit more complex than previous ones, but the atmosphere and rawness is still there, melodies also but perhaps not to the same extent as previous ones. We are very careful not to forget our past when we write a new album, the essence must always be there, but to add new stuff along the way is our philosophy.
Jo: In Plunge Into A Paradox, the lyrics feel very intense. Is the new album a concept record, or does each track explore a different facet of the human (or inhuman) condition?
Heval: It’s a concept/thematic album, the general theme of the album is creation of our own reality. Yes, you’re right, each song is about something related to our physical realm told from non-physical beings’ perspective, from another dimension if you will, our spirit realm. A lot of questions and answers about our physical lives. Identity, upbringing, injustice, sickness, war, leaders, evolution and death are the topics. Plunged Into A Paradox deals with war.
Jo: In 2026, how do you manage to maintain that legendary Swedish Death Metal identity while making it sound relevant and forward-thinking?
Heval: We don’t think of that term Swedish Death Metal at all, and that’s why we can be forward-thinking, we don’t corner ourselves in some specific genre, whether it’s death or black metal. We include all the elements of metal. If you listen closely you’ll notice a lot of stuff is going on, we have some thrash riffs thrown in here and there, also doom and progressive stuff. We mainly focus on writing good memorable songs first and foremost but to keep it very extreme, this is how we’ve always worked, since the first album. Then it’s up to everyone to call it whatever they want. Perhaps you can call it “Sarcastic Death Metal”?
Jo: Where was the new album recorded, and who was behind the desk this time to capture the massive sound of Lifeforce Omnibound?
Heval: Like our previous 4 albums Lifeforce Omnibound was recorded at HSH Studios in Uppsala during a six months period. We recorded and produced the album ourselves this time again. And Lawrence Mackrory mixed the album, he also did “Mourninghoul”and our second album. He did an awesome job on this one too, we’re very pleased with how everything turned out.
Jo: Releasing a new album in 2026 shows a band in its most creative peak. Does the current lineup feel like the most stable and hungry one in Sarcasms history?
Heval: I think all our line-ups have been stable and perfect for its time. This one also, the line- up couldn’t have been better for the material we’re having right now. And there will be more creative peaks in the future and lots more twists and surprises I’m sure.
Jo: The artwork for the new album is striking. How does it connect with the Lifeforce theme of the title?
Heval: This time I wanted to have our mascot “Sarcor” symbolising some kind of a “guiding spirit” or the “inner being” at the center of both landscapes, as he points to the more pleasant side and holds an hourglass in the other, the less pleasant side, the concept is, for creation contrast is needed that we all go through. And the hourglass tells that there’s a limited time before we re-connect to Source energy. Armada did a really good job doing that artwork, he did our last album also.
Jo: With the album dropping on May 29th, how important are digital singles and streaming for a band with such deep underground roots?
Heval: It’s extremely important, it has helped us a lot for the band to get noticed, you have to do those things otherwise you are invisible and in time dead. I doubt many tape trades these days. And very few buy albums it seems.
Jo: Are there plans to perform Lifeforce Omnibound in its entirety on tour this year?
Heval: No not the whole album no. If we do shows there will be a couple of songs from the new album, perhaps three. We have to include lots of other songs from past albums also, there will be some disappointed faces if we left out some important songs from the past. I think we will add 2 songs from every album.
Jo: Now that the album is ready for release, are you already looking ahead to the next chapter, or is this the definitive statement of Sarcasm for 2026?
Heval: Yeah we have started writing some material for the next album already so I don’t see any stopping just yet. When we notice the material isn’t strong enough we will stop. There’s no reason to continue if the material is weak, we don’t want to be one of those bands. But the future still looks bright for SARCASM so watch out for more sarcastic
death metal in the future!
Jo (+1): The Last Note: If a listener has only 5 minutes to understand the soul of the new album, which track should they play and why?
Heval: I think the opening track explains everything, the theme of the album. It’s like the general essence of the whole album, what we are, the reason and what we do for the expansion of the universe. Lyrically it’s like an introduction for the following songs. Musically it’s a perfect album opener.
Sarcasm proves once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in the modern extreme metal landscape.Lifeforce Omnibound is a testament to their evolution and uncompromising spirit. We thank the band for this insightful conversation and we eagerly await the full release on May 29th. Make sure to plunge into their new sonic paradox and follow them as they redefine the essence of Swedish death metal.
Inteview – Text: Joanna Gonas
