Emerging from the heart of Sweden’s underground heavy metal scene, Watcher is a band forged in tradition yet fuelled by a fresh urgency to revive the flame of classic Swedish Heavy Metal. In this interview with TheNwothm, we explore Watcher’s formation, musical ethos, and growing discography. From their fiercely DIY debut “Key to the Unbreachable” to the layered EPs “Glory or Agony” and “Chains of Crystal,” the band blends tradition with raw energy. We dig into their influences, local roots, and drive to carve out a lasting place in Sweden’s metal legacy. Long live the underground.

Interview

TheNwothm:Welcome! Can you start by telling our readers who you are and where you are from?

W: Thank you very much! We are Watcher, a Swedish band trying to keep classic Swedish Heavy Metal alive. The band consists of me (Viktor Gustafsson, also the vocalist of Lethal Steel), Max Warnby on guitar (also bassist in Master Massive), drummer Jakob Nilsson, and bassist Oscar Nyberg. I originally come from Stockholm but have moved to Skövde, and the other members are from the surrounding Skövde area.

TheNwothm:You came together in 2023. Can you tell us how the band first formed and what sparked the idea to make music together?

W: I started this band as a solo project—I missed playing Heavy Metal, and it had been three years since our last release with Lethal Steel, so I was eager to do something new. Over time, I felt a growing desire to start playing for real again with a real band. With the help of Linni Lindström from the record label Turborock Productions, I got in touch with Max, Jakob, and Oscar, and this collaboration has been fantastic in every way.

TheNwothm:The name Watcher has a mysterious ring to it. What drew you to that choice, and does it hold a deeper meaning for you?

W: The name refers to the all-seeing eye that watches us from afar.

TheNwothm: Skövde isn’t exactly known globally for heavy metal. How has your town or region shaped your creative energy?

W: Haha, no, Skövde is definitely not a musical metropolis. But it has actually produced two solid Heavy Metal bands: Leviticus and Zanity/Act/Master Massive. Other than that, I can’t say that Skövde has influenced me musically in any significant way.

TheNwothm: Sweden’s music history runs deep. From folk legends to metal titans, what parts of Swedish culture do you find filtering into your sound or lyrics?

W: The Swedish sound of the classic Swedish Heavy Metal bands is a strong influence in everything we do musically. Also Swedish folk music, with its traditional melancholy, seeps into how we create melodies. And we sometimes incorporate Swedish folklore into our lyrics.

TheNwothm: Are there any local traditions or stories from Västra Götaland that have left a mark on your music or mindset?

W: No, I would say I’ve lived here far too short a time to be influenced by this place.

TheNwothm:What’s the vibe of the heavy metal scene in Sweden these days, and where do you feel Watcher fits into it?

W: The Swedish scene is on the rise, I would say. We have established bands like Enforcer and Helvetets Port who keep delivering year after year. Then there’s Century, which is obviously a huge standout. We also have Templar, whose EP I really enjoyed—super exciting to follow their path. I hope we can eventually push our way into that group of bands as we continue forward.

TheNwothm: Let us talk about the music! Your full-length debut, “Key to the Unbreachable,” dropped in 2024. What themes or sounds were you reaching for with that release?

W: This was really a personal test—handling all the instruments myself. I aimed fully at creating a genuine demo sound. The songs are material created over many years but never really became anything during the Lethal Steel years. I think it feels genuine, though I’ve realized maybe I pushed a little too hard for it to sound raw.

TheNwothm: And did it take long for the whole record to come together? From Writing to mixing and mastering?

W: Well, much of the material was old, as I said. But recording and mixing went relatively quickly—I knew exactly how I wanted the result.

TheNwothm: “Beyond the Iron Gate” followed that same year. What was the story behind that single, and how did it complement or contrast the album?

W: That single was an attempt to test how broad a stylistic spectrum I could handle—very inspired by Fates Warning and just a fun thing to do.

TheNwothm:Then came “Glory or Agony” and “Chains of Crystal” in 2025. What inspired you to release two EPs in one year, and how did you shape the personality of each?

W: Glory or Agony” was a continuation of me writing music and continuing my creative way forward. But after that recording, I really felt the urge to get Watcher going as a real band. I missed playing live and bouncing ideas off others. I initially considered not releasing it, but with some positive feedback, we went ahead—and I’m glad we did.After connecting with the current members, we played a show in 2024, and we felt that our collaboration worked really well. “Chains of Crystal” became clear proof of that. The songs were also co-written with Max Warnby, who has incredible drive and is a fantastic guitarist. The songs turned out really well, and Max worked hard to put it all together since he also had the overall role as producer. The drums also turned out amazing—Jakob is truly the right person in the right place. And Oscar is a top-notch bassist whose playing really elevates the music.

TheNwothm: How do you think your music has developed in the short time you have been together? 

W: It has evolved to be more refined and more complex—without losing the feeling of being real, genuine Swedish Heavy Metal.

TheNwothm: If you had to tell someone listening to your music for the first time to listen to one track that represents you, which one would it be?

W: I’d say “Avenger of the Lightning Flash” best represents us at the moment. That song has several layers and I think it’s a mark of quality for the music we create.

TheNwothm: We have got to know! If someone opened your playlist right now, what track would raise the most eyebrows?

W: Maybe “Turn Away” from Glory or Agony, since it’s very ballad-like.

TheNwothm: And what bands would you say are ones to watch?

W: As I mentioned earlier—Templar is definitely one to watch. Century also needs to be mentioned. And Helvetets Port will be fun to follow too—I really love their latest album.

TheNwothm: Is there anything bubbling behind the scenes right now, like a new release or unexpected collaboration?

W: There are things in the works, definitely. We’re working hard on new music, and news will come in the future.

TheNwothm: If you could play any venue in the world right now, regardless of size or cost, where would you set your sights?

W: Keep It True is probably the biggest stage for a band like ours, so I’d have to say that one.

TheNwothm: Are you planning any tours soon, and will it lean more local or are you thinking bigger?

W: Right now, we’re focusing on new music. But we do have a gig booked in my hometown Stockholm in October, where we’re opening for Ambush. But of course, our goal is to eventually do a full tour.

TheNwothm: How can our readers buy your music and merch?

W: Right now we’re setting up a Bandcamp—once it’s live, we’ll announce it on our social media. In the meantime, people can always send us a DM on Instagram or Facebook, or email us, and we’ll try to fulfill any requests.

TheNwothm: Where can fans follow you online?

W: @watcher_swe on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/watcher_swe/
Watcher – SWE on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555217250964

TheNwothm: Anything else you would like to mention?

W: Thanks for the positive response to Chains of Crystal, especially the review from you guys. Get ready for more true Heavy Metal in the future. Long live the underground Heavy Metal-scene!