The first time I heard Bloodstain, I had to go and find out more about them. These guys were playing with a confidence that made it hard to believe how recently they had come together. Finding out the band had formed in Stockholm in late 2023 only added to my interest. There was clearly a lot of work behind what I was hearing, and I wanted to get into that story with them.
With their self titled debut arriving on September 25, 2026, through Threeman Recordings and Sound Pollution Distribution, I caught up with Oskar Lindroos, Tobias Lindström, Benjamin Norgren and Jonathan Thyberg for Crannk. Across the conversation, we got into their beginnings, the change in lineup, finding their own sound and the songs connecting Bloodstain’s first chapter to where they are heading now.
The Ambition Was There From The Start
One thing that came through early was that Bloodstain never really felt like a casual school project to the people playing in it. The friendships were there, but so was the intention to take the music somewhere.
Oskar was clear that those ambitions existed before their early appearance at Lidingö Rock. Benjamin shared that feeling, with the first EP helping turn an already serious commitment into something they could properly see taking shape.
There were years of practice behind that early confidence, too. Benjamin had started playing drums at eight and had roughly nine years behind the kit by the time Bloodstain formed. Oskar remembered getting his first guitar from his dad at six and being introduced to AC/DC. Bloodstain was the first band for both of them, but they had already put plenty of time into their instruments.
Jonathan brought another great piece of that history into the chat, remembering a school performance of “Eye of the Tiger” with Benjamin when they were about ten. That was the moment he connected with the idea of making music himself. I always love hearing those stories, especially when the people who shared those early experiences are still playing together years later.
A New Voice And A Guitar Partnership Put To The Test
The departure of Linus in 2025 meant an important change for a band that was already building momentum. Oskar took on lead vocals alongside his guitar duties, while Tobias joined on guitar.
Oskar was modest about the work involved. He took singing lessons and practised at home every day, gradually getting himself ready to carry that extra responsibility. I told him during the interview that he had taken the reins and run with them. That is no slight on what Linus contributed; it is recognition of how much Oskar has brought to this next stage.
For Tobias, the connection came together quickly. There were only a handful of rehearsals before heading out with Dark Tranquillity, giving the new lineup an immediate chance to find out how well it worked onstage. He remembered the chemistry being there from those first rehearsals, with the run of shows helping confirm it.
Benjamin also spoke about preparing for the jump to bigger stages. That meant rehearsing how they would move and use the space, alongside knowing the music. Hearing him talk about that preparation helped explain the confidence that had caught my attention in the first place.
Letting The Songs Find Their Own Direction
Calling the album Bloodstain was a straightforward way of presenting the band they want to be. Benjamin described it as the sound and direction they want to take forward, while Oskar pointed to the connection between the name and the artwork featuring the band themselves.
Their early Bay Area thrash influences remain part of the story, but they were open about wanting room to write beyond them. Oskar saw that development as a mixture of conscious choices and the natural distance that comes with spending more time writing together.
“Because we write what we want to write.”
That simple comment from Oskar summed up a lot of our conversation. Benjamin explained that putting boundaries around the writing could end up hurting the songs. A riff might come from Oskar, Jonathan or someone else, and the important thing was giving everybody room to contribute to what it became.
I liked hearing that emphasis on everyone having a say. The album needed to reflect the people making it, and Tobias described a band willing to keep changing the material during the studio sessions to get there.
Alex Hellid And Knowing When To Push Further
The album was produced by Alex Hellid, Per Aldeheim and Bloodstain, and our conversation offered a closer look at what Hellid’s involvement has meant to them.
Tobias spoke about the trust that comes from working with someone who has already been through so much with Entombed. That experience matters when decisions need to be made, but it also carries into the studio. A song the band considered finished could still be opened up for another idea or another approach.
He was honest that the process could feel like a lot at times, while recognising the value of being pushed further. Benjamin also highlighted the help with festival contacts, booking connections and the wider work surrounding the band.
What came through was a relationship built on trust, with somebody willing to challenge them as well as help open doors.
Giving “I Am Death” Another Life
For all the discussion about moving forward, Bloodstain wanted a clear connection to the EP that introduced them. “I Am Death” was the song they chose to carry onto the album.
Benjamin remembered hearing Oskar’s early version and immediately believing in it. Oskar had written the lyrics and melodies, Benjamin reworked the prechorus, and the song became something they felt strongly about keeping with them.
Tobias understood the responsibility involved in revisiting a track that already meant so much to the band. The new version brought a lower tuning, rerecorded guitar parts and solos, and Oskar’s vocals. It gave them room to refine the song while retaining what had made it important in the first place.
For me, it was a good choice. It gives listeners a direct connection between the band they first discovered and the lineup making this debut.
Ready To Share The Rest Of The Album
When I asked which unheard material they were most excited for people to hear, “Carved Into Stone” emerged as a particular talking point. Tobias highlighted how different it was from their other material, while Benjamin admitted there were some nerves alongside the excitement of showing listeners another direction.
That is one of the things I am keen for people to take from this conversation. Bloodstain have plenty of love for the music that brought them here, and they are giving themselves room to discover what else they can do together.
By the end of the chat, it was clear how much of their lives had revolved around getting this album finished and ready to share. Their release show takes place at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm on September 25, with Thermality supporting, bringing that work back onto the stage. Release show information.
There is a lot to get excited about with these guys. Spend some time with the singles, check out our full conversation and give the debut a proper listen when it lands. I am looking forward to seeing where Bloodstain take it from here.
Bloodstain — Album Tracklist
- Annihilation Line
- Something Sinister
- I Am Death
- Carved Into Stone
- Taint Me
- Disdained
- Lies Bleeding Through
- Conspiracy
- Faceless Dealer
- Banner Of Supremacy
Bloodstain arrives September 25, 2026, through Threeman Recordings and Sound Pollution Distribution. Find preorder information through the official Threeman album campaign and keep up with the band at their official website.
