It is so rare that we get to say this about a band, but Puteraeon are ageing like fine wine. In my opinion, despite forming in 2008, they have been releasing some of their best work in the last 5 years, and May 30th this year looks to continue the trend with the latest offering, Mountains of Madness, releasing on Emanzipation Productions.
If you’ve not heard them before, Puteraeon are a Swedish death metal outfit that conjures a sound steeped in decay and ancient dread. Their music is a cold wind from the crypt, echoing with the chainsaw buzz of classic Swedish death metal that’s haunted by Lovecraftian visions from beyond the veil.
With each bone-rattling riff and ghastly growl, Puteraeon summon a world where horror reigns and melody coils like smoke through a tomb. In a genre built on chaos and darkness, Puteraeon carves their name in stone: timeless, grim, and gloriously grotesque.
Today we sit down with Jonas to talk about Lovecraft, death metal, and of course, Puteraeon.
Jonas of Puteraeon Interview (with D, April 2025)
I usually like to begin by asking, in your own words, what is Puteraeon and how did this project start?
Hi! Puteraeon is a band that started out as a project back in 2008. We have released 4 albums and a couple of Eps so far and we are right now in the process of releasing our 5th album Mountains of madness. We are located on the Westcoast of Sweden not far from Gothenburg in a small town called Alingsås. The whole project started out when I wanted to go back to the roots of my musical influence, back to the dirt and filth of oldschool Swedish death metal in the vein of Dismember, Entombed. And from that starting point we have evolved.
I mean what I said in the introduction, I genuinely believe Puteraeon to be releasing their best work as time goes on. While most bands become more timid with time, Puteraeon is getting heavier and better as time goes on. What keeps you guys motivated to be continually pushing and improving your sound?
We always want to do better mainly. We try writing better songs. We’ve been experimenting on the vocals previous and I think I have found what I wanna do in that aspect. I myself want an album that has everything. Melodies, aggression, and you know, a special nerve through out the album. We also tried hard to listen to all the songs when we were writing to get a sense of the full album early, to understand what we needed to change and where. So the songs must work. The playlist must also work. So it has been a huge puzzle to make.
Following on from that, something that inevitably ends a lot of smaller bands is internal struggles and constant line-up changes. Puteraeon have been spared this fate, with only one member change – and that was back in 2010. Is there anything that you think has helped keep the band together without the line-up troubles for as long as you have?
We are a small band and we do get along great. We have a good time with lot’s of laughs in between us. Rehearsals are always a fun thing. We don’t tour around the world and it’s not like a “job”, so we don’t get tired of it. I think that is a healthy thing. Keep having fun together.
[Editor’s note: when I wrote this question, I really didn’t consider Puteraeon to be a ‘small’ band. I should have used the word ‘cult’ instead. Like how cult films have a committed, dedicated fanbase even if not everyone knows the franchise. Small bands don’t have the kind of following that Puteraeon has; as with thousands of fans, followers, and monthly listeners, I’m not sure I believe Puteraeon are ‘small’, but I appreciate their modesty!]
How does the composition process look for you guys as a band? As everything is constantly improving across the board with each release, I wonder how you guys approach the songwriting process?
As I said, we try to do thing better all the time. Trying to do better songs, learning from the past on what we felt worked out good and what could have been done better. We mainly do like this. Me and Rune write almost everything. I write around 75% and Rune 25%. We do our stuff at home, recording the demo tracks. When that is done we listen to the result and perfect it, numerous times. Then the other guys all get to listen to it and they come with small ideas. Then we start to rehearse the songs and adjusting or adding smaller details.
Following on from that, what equipment do you guys use to create your sounds? And is there any equipment you’re looking to add to your arsenal moving forward?
We have used HM2 for a long time creating the guitar tone. This time we used an Eyemaster guitar pedal instead. I recorded my guitars at home and my HM2 was left in the rehearsals. I know Rune uses a Eyemaster aswell. Pretty good pedal really, if you want that sound. Daniel our bassist could probably tell you in details about what he uses, but I can’t. And I’m not really sure what equipment Anders using either hehe. Sorry.
Out of all the new songs, which one do you think is going to get the biggest reaction live when it’s first played? And, out of all your songs, in general, which is your favourite to play and why?
Not sure which one yet. People seem to like “I am the darkness”, but I think “The land of cold eternal winter” is also a banger. Out of our older songs, I do like to play “Providence”. It’s a fast song which doesn’t leave anyone standing still.
Alright, let’s get a little esoteric. Obviously Lovecraft is a big literary influence on your music, is there anyone else you would recommend your listeners to pick up and read? Either to learn more about the mythology behind the project, or just in general. What does Puteraeon recommend we read in addition to H.P. Lovecraft?
I havn’t read any of the other writers in the mythos so I can’t recommend any. I’ve felt a bit like, the mythos is Lovecrafts work and left it at that.
Following on from that, what about outside of literature? What does Puteraeon recommend we check out when we’re not listening to The Cthulhian Pulse or reading Lovecraft?
I do like Clive Barkers books. Check out “Great & Secret Show”, “The Damnation Game” and “Weaveworld”, “Galilee” or “Everville”. All good mix of horror and science fiction.
What is one of life’s mysteries that fascinates you?
Space. I do like to see documentaries on this subject. Just cause it is so vast and unknown.
Aside from releasing Mountains of Madness, what else does 2025 have in store for Puteraeon? Any shows to support the new album?
There will be some shows supporting the album, but nothing is really official yet. But for sure, we will do some shows.
Sweden is probably the undisputed champion for creating excellent metal music, as they consistently produce some of the best bands across multiple genres. However, they also have so many bands that it is impossible to find all the good ones without a little help from people who’ve been around the scene for a while. So, who are some of the bands you think deserve a little recognition for their work?
Alright. Lesser known bands (but probably more known that us) that needs more spotlight to me are Turbocharged, Feral and Creeping Flesh. All 3 bands are good stuff to check out!
Thanks again for your time today guys, genuinely appreciated. Is there anything you’d like to add before we finish?
Thank you so much for the interview and thanks for showing interest in our band! All the best!
Appreciate it guys!
Make sure to check Puteraeon’s new album Mountains of Madness, releasing through Emanzipation Productions on May 30th. When does Swedish death metal ever disappoint? You know this will be no expectation, so mark the date!
Links:
Mithraic Magazine 
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