Swedish gothic metal veterans BESEECH are finally breaking a decade of silence with a brand new studio album. Titled Future Present Past, the record is set for release on August 28th, 2026 via Despotz Records, marking their first full-length since My Darkness, Darkness. With the atmospheric single Boundless Space already setting the tone, the band seem poised to reclaim their place in the darker corners of the metal scene — blending melancholy, heaviness, and that unmistakable emotional depth they’ve always been known for.
We caught up with BESEECH (band’s vocalist Erik Molarin answering the questions) to talk about the long hiatus, returning to their roots, the new album, and what lies ahead.
Time flies in a slightly terrifying way: it feels like your comeback album My Darkness, Darkness was released just yesterday, yet in reality another decade has passed before the arrival of the new single. So what happened this time?
In life, a lot has happened. But regarding BESEECH as a band, not much. My Darkness, Darkness was a great album, but it seems like the change of members and a lack of live shows made things run out in the sand a little bit. Which is sad, but everyone’s personal lives stood in the way of things moving forward.
And the big question on everyone’s mind: can we finally expect BESEECH to stick around for a while now? Can you share anything about the upcoming album?
Yes. Now we’re back, with Lotta and me on vocals. And a lineup that is very close to what we had on Souls Highway, Drama, and Sunless Days. When we got into the studio together, everything fell into place, and we found a way back to each other. And what an album we created! I don’t think I’ve been this happy with any previous productions. We captured the essence of what we love with BESEECH — the melancholy and the darkness, but also with a small hint of hope. The two singles we’ve released so far have been representative of the diversity the album holds.
Over the years, BESEECH have worked with major labels such as Metal Blade Records and Napalm Records. How difficult is it nowadays for a band of your style to secure a strong label deal?
First of all, a strong label deal does not mean ending up on a major label. Most important is that you end up on a label where they work with you in a way you’re comfortable with. On a major label, it is easy to end up in the shade of another band that is more popular at the time. A small label with down-to-earth people is, in many cases, worth more. Since we’re in the digital streaming era, the audience does not tend to be as obsessed with the label. While on physical media, many people used the label logo as a sign of quality, but not anymore — at least not in the same way.
How does your audience feel today? Do you see interest coming from a younger generation, or is your core fanbase still those who remember the era of ..from a Bleeding Heart? And based on streaming numbers and social media feedback, which countries seem to show you the most support?
We are happy to have many long-time fans still hanging around. But we also see a new generation finding us, especially in Latin America. Mexico has been very nice to us ever since our album Drama was released, but Brazil and Chile also show much support. When we look at streaming services such as Spotify, we can see that the USA and many European countries are also in the top.
When promoting your previous album, you spoke very positively about the “fresh blood” brought in by vocalist Angelina. However, now we see the return of fan-favorite Lotta. Is it easier working within the classic lineup, or did something simply not work out with Angelina?
To be completely honest, I have never met Angelina. I think her voice is great. So it has nothing to do with her that she’s not on this album. When we decided to start the band up, we wanted to be as close to the 2000-era of BESEECH as possible. There is no bad blood between the present lineup and the past lineups — we have great respect for all of them.
In addition to your own material, you’ve occasionally surprised fans with unusual cover songs. Is there any chance we might hear something like that again on the upcoming album?
That is for the future to tell.
Do you ever revisit your older releases? What kind of emotions do they bring back after all these years?
Here I actually have a very fresh experience to share. A couple of weekends ago, we got together to start rehearsing for the upcoming shows. We had a chat and some coffee, got into the rehearsal studio to connect our gear, and decided to start with the song “Drama”. When I heard the intro of the song, a sentimental yet warm feeling filled me. It was a little bit like coming home.
And since we’re deciding on which songs we’re going to play live, we have listened through our back catalogue, and some songs still feel right. So we let that feeling, and the wishes from our fans, come together to shape the setlists.
If you could magically go back 20 years in time, is there anything you would do differently?
No. The past made the present and will show the right future — eventually.
What does everyday life look like for you outside of BESEECH? As far as I understand, Manne and Christian are deeply involved in music and studio work—what about the rest of the band?
We all have more or less normal jobs. As you say, Christian and Manne have a studio (Studiomega), where bands such as ARCH ENEMY, TIAMAT, KREATOR, LAKE OF TEARS, and KATATONIA have recorded, just to name a few.
A slightly off-topic question, but one that fans will definitely find interesting: Manne and Christian were also part of CEMETARY. Is it true that Mathias Lodmalm is also considering a return? Have you heard anything about that?
I have heard no such thing.
What kind of music are you listening to these days?
This is a hard question. I listen to all kinds of music, and I listen for different reasons. Sometimes I’m nostalgic and listen to some punk rock from my teenage years, such as NOFX. And sometimes I listen to music for the production and songwriting qualities, such as the Swedish band KENT. I also listen to Spanish music such as HEROES DEL SILENCIO — a great way to improve my Spanish. THE BEATLES is also something I can listen to whenever.
I also listen a lot to local bands from the area I live in, such as ANTIMERE, INDUSTRIAL PUKE, and SVARTA SANNINGAR, to name a few.
And finally, a creative challenge: if you had to write a short promotional pitch for your upcoming album aimed at listeners who have never heard BESEECH before, what would it say? Just two or three sentences.
If you are depressed, or want to be, look no further. With heavy riffs and well-written melodies, we will guide you through the darkness to see a glimpse of melancholy light.
Band’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beseechofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHRoS9nxdmmbjTtq7qwtDFQ
