NECROPHOBIC Rejoined By Guitarists SEBASTIAN RAMSTEDT And JOHAN BERGEBÄCK

Swedish blackened death metallers NECROPHOBIC have been rejoined by guitarists Sebastian Ramstedt and Johan Bergebäck following the band's split with their axeman of the past five years, Fredrik Folkare.

Commented NECROPHOBIC drummer Joakim Sterner: "The last couple of years, Fredrik has been handling all the guitar parts as a single guitarist. He is a great guitar player, but he can't play two guitars live and to have two guitarists is an important part of our sound — especially live. The music is written for two guitars. It has been so in the past and it's still so today."

He continued: "Lately, I have also come to realize that me and Fredrik are too far from each other on the musical side. Our mindset and our musical roots are too different.

"NECROPHOBIC is very special in that way that it has very strict, call it rules, on how music shall sound, and not to sound, so with that in mind, along with that one guitar player was 'missing' live, I slowly started to think of this solution — to let Fredrik go.

"It's always hard to tell a person to go, especially since we have always got along very well on the personal basis. He's a great guy, but I had to set the band, and what's best for the band, in first place. There's no hard feelings between us. At least not from my side."

Joakim added: "Since some time back, a newborn relationship started with my old friends, and former bandmates, Sebastian and Johan, and that made this lineup change into reality.

"Sebastian was part of this band for fifteen years and Johan for ten years, so I'm really excited to have them back in the band again and I'm looking forward to what we will accomplish together, both live and on the songwriting terms."

Regarding his return to NECROPHOBIC, Sebastian said: "It's a great honor to be back! It feels like coming home.

"NECROPHOBIC has, by far, been the band where I can let my creativity flow the most. Joakim's vision and my way of writing songs has always fit together naturally.

"The funny thing is that me and Johan never really quit NECROPHOBIC. After years of working closely together, we, in the beginning of 2011, said that we needed a break, but it became longer than we expected.

"I do respect Fredrik's work in this band. He is a fantastic guitar player and his work with NECROPHOBIC, both as a guitar player and a producer, will not pass unnoticed.

"The time for a return is now and we will unite in forces stronger than ever."

Added Johan: "The time has come for me to reunite with the mighty force of NECROPHOBIC. Together we will bring forth the black flag and reclaim our position as a great live act. Join us when we venture into the eternal fire. See you out there."

NECROPHOBIC 2017 is:

Anders Strokirk - Vocals
Alexander Friberg - Bass
Joakim Sterner - Drums
Sebastian Ramstedt - Guitar
Johan Bergebäck - Guitar

NECROPHOBIC has already started to write new music and plans to record the long-awaited follow-up to 2013's "Womb Of Lilithu" at the end of this year.