Swedish thrash metal upstarts Hostilia are young and absolutely on fire. With ages ranging from 18 to 22, the band delivers an old-school punch wrapped in raw energy and authenticity. Their debut album “Face the Fire”, out via Hammerheart Records, captures everything that makes classic thrash metal timeless — furious riffs, tight musicianship and a spirit that refuses to compromise. In this interview, brothers William Lindeblad (guitars) and Albert Lindeblad (drums) talk about the band’s beginnings, their organic sound, recording process, and what it means to be part of a new generation keeping thrash metal alive and raging.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
How did Hostilia first come together as a band?
William: It kind of began with two brothers who wouldn’t leave the rehearsal room. We played until the amps overheated and the cymbals looked like crap. There was no grand plan at first really, just a stubborn commitment to get tight and write songs that actually worked.
Albert: Finding members who matched our obsession took time. A lot of early enthusiasm disappears when gigs and sacrifices kick in. We learned to protect the standard: show up prepared, play hard, be reliable. When Gabriel, Tim, and Petter joined, the chemistry locked and the pace of everything changed for the better.
What inspired the band name “Hostilia”?
Albert: We wanted a name that cuts through – short and something you’d want on a denim vest.
William: It also had to have a unique feel. “Hostilia” sounds like something bad is about to go down haha.
Growing up, which bands influenced you the most?
William: The big ones, of course: Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, plus classic heavy metal and the occasional hard rock band like Van Halen. Those bands made the records that were the school we never graduated from.
Albert: Through family friends, the Gothenburg scene was in our bloodstream early. Our dad is in the same group of friends that includes members of At The Gates, The Haunted, and Dark Tranquillity.
How would you describe the musical identity of Hostilia in your own words?
William: Riff-first thrash with some catchy hooks and some surprises along the way.
Albert: Organic sound and attitude. We’re not chasing “perfect”; we’re chasing personality.
How did signing with Hammerheart Records come about?
Albert: Our live-in-studio EP “All The Blood Spilt” reached Hammerheart. The Hammerheart boss asked for more songs. What mattered to us was that they understood where we were coming from – our songs, attitude, and not wanting a generic modern metal sound.
William: We talked about vision and touring and they totally backed our way of thinking. It felt like a label that supports bands who work hard, not just releases. Our collaboration feels great.
Was “Face the Fire” written quickly, or did it take time to build the songs?
William: It’s a collage of our early DNA and brand-new ideas. Some tracks have been around for a long time and were really tested before they hit record; others were written close to the deadline with that useful “let’s finish this” intensity.
Albert: Playing the material live shaped the arrangements. You learn fast which bridges sag, which choruses lift, and which tempos actually crush.
Which track on the album represents the “spirit” of Hostilia the best, and why?
Albert: It must be “Eternal Death.” It has the tumbling momentum and the thrash metal drive we love so much.
William: It’s also a song that has always built our confidence on stage. When that one hits and the pit opens… it just feels really good.
Can you describe the atmosphere and process in the studio while recording?
Albert: The drums were recorded with Jakob Herrmann at Top Floor Studios – minimal click track. Only three songs. But that was because we wanted that relentless expression in those particular songs. What we chased overall was maximum feel. Performances that breathe, and are not tied to a grid on a computer screen.
William: Guitars, bass, and vocals we tracked ourselves in the rehearsal studio. That freedom meant we could tweak tones at 1 AM, swap cabs, and commit to sounds we could actually reproduce live. Per Stålberg then mixed it with the ears of someone who loves thrash and understands why the little things matter. He did a really great job.
You chose a raw, organic sound instead of a polished modern production. Why was that important to you?
William: Because that’s what we love. Real amps, real bleed, real dynamics – that’s where the character of a production lives.
Albert: If every hit is quantized and every note is airbrushed, then you lose the thing that makes everything feel good. We’d rather be humans than robots.
What does thrash metal mean to you personally – as musicians and as fans?
Albert: It’s the music that made us pick up instruments. It’s physical, honest, and fun – there’s nowhere to hide.
William: It’s also a craft to it. As a guitarist you have the right-hand discipline, the down-picks, the breakdown riffing, the solos. When that clicks, that’s the feeling you are always looking for.
How does being a young band (ages 18–22) influence your approach to songwriting?
William: Perhaps we don’t overthink stuff. We just go with what feels right. We try to speak in our own accent, musically.
Albert: We’re also not afraid to try stuff. If a section sounds a bit like Rush, why not put it in there? It’s a thrash song, but it’s also a Hostilia song and we can do what we want with our music.
Were there any challenges you faced while creating your debut album?
Albert: It was mostly about time. Juggling school and work and bringing your best to the recording of your album is not always easy. Guess where we had our priorities haha…?
William: The other challenge is knowing when to stop. Tracking in your own rehearsal studio, you can chase sounds forever. We tried to commit to what was recorded and move on – but sometimes we had to redo it anyway haha. We learned a lot during the process which we can benefit from when recording the next album.
How did the collaboration with Anders Björler on “The Storm” happen?
William: Anders is a friend of the family, and I had written an acoustic figure that felt like his “world” – you know, melancholic with a soul. I sent him my idea, and he said yes! He was a super pro of course. He laid down several takes, and each of them had that unmistakable Anders phrasing.
Albert: It’s a short instrumental song, but the track really serves a purpose on the album. You get a chance to breathe before the fast and more violent finale.
What is the message or idea behind the title “Face the Fire”?
William: Don’t circle around challenges or pressure. Just step right into it. Face it – whatever it might be.
Albert: “If you avoid the fire, you never harden the steel.”
William: You are a true poet Albert! Maybe you can sell that line to Manowar, haha?
Do you write songs together as a band, or does someone usually bring the initial idea? William: Usually a riff or a structure of a song comes from me, and then we build it in the room together. The structure part is kind of like a team effort.
In terms of lyrics, what themes do you feel are most present in the album?
Albert: An outside threat. The will to survive. Paranoia and a fractured reality. The need to push back. We also like horror movies. I guess that’s kind of obvious haha.
William: We also like lyrics that sound cool when screamed during a show, but still carry some weight when you read them. Lyrics are a tricky thing.
How was the experience opening for Dismember?
William: We loved playing with Dismember. They were extremely welcoming and professional. Shows like that really raise your standard for everything else.
Albert: It was kind of amazing. You could feel the history they carry in the room.
And how is the current tour with The Haunted going so far?
William: It’s intense and really inspiring. Watching a band like The Haunted who are that precise and explosive every night is like a masterclass in how it’s done.
Albert: They are just great guys. You can feel that they are still having fun on stage.
Which city or show has been your most memorable live experience yet?
Albert: Gothenburg with Dismember was really special. It’s our home crowd, we played at a big venue. It was a goosebumps show for us.
William: The Black & Heavy Nights Festival in Kopervik in Norway was also really special. The festival is run by the super nice team behind the Karmøygeddon Festival. The show was really intense. It felt like no one wanted it to end haha.
What is the most important thing you want fans to feel when they hear your music? William: That it’s real – human hands on strings, raw honest vocals. No software in sight to do artificial fixes.
Albert: That it’s okay to just let go and thrash out. Bang that head and forget about all your worries for a while and leave the show stronger somehow.
Do you feel there’s a new wave of younger thrash metal bands rising today?
Albert: Yes, especially in Sweden. It’s a really good thing. New blood is essential to keep the metal ecosystem alive.
William: It pushes us too. Friendly rivalry makes better records and better shows.
What is your creative vision for Hostilia moving forward?
William: To keep the core of what Hostilia is and still add new angles on riffs, hooks, dynamics. Most importantly: To serve the song.
Albert: We just want to get out on the road and tour. You know, to go city by city, and become a live band that crushes everything.
Are you already thinking about the next release?
William: Absolutely. We have songs for more than an album. We are trying out new song ideas and new recording equipment all the time.
What would you like to say to metal fans discovering Hostilia for the first time?
William: Thanks for giving a new band your time – that means everything. Spin the record, then come see us explode on stage.
Albert: We’d love to go to Greece! Invite us to play in your town. Bring your friends – and we’ll see you in the pit.
