When Edwin Premberg begins creating a new METALITE album, he does not sit down with every planet, character and destination already mapped out. He starts with the music, captures whatever melodies and riffs arrive, experiments with the sounds and allows the story to reveal itself along the way.
That creative freedom has carried the Swedish melodic metal force into Discovery, their fifth studio album and the next chapter in the science fiction journey established on 2024’s Expedition One.
Arriving September 25, 2026 through PERCEPTION, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music, Discovery moves the story forward to the year 2058. Three years have passed since humanity abandoned a collapsing Earth in search of a new beginning, but the journey into the unknown has only just begun.
Across twelve tracks, METALITE combine melodic metal, heavy guitar riffs, electronic programming and cinematic soundscapes with themes of technology, survival, human evolution, liberation and hope.
I recently caught up with METALITE founder, guitarist, songwriter and programmer Edwin Premberg to discuss how the music and storytelling work together, the heavier direction of Discovery, the human meaning behind “In Case Of Emergency” and where this expanding universe could take the band next.
The melodies that never left
Before we travelled into METALITE’s vision of 2058, I wanted to take Edwin back to his earliest core musical memory.
The first CD he remembers buying was Roxette’s Joyride when he was around seven or eight years old. Its melodies became lodged in his mind and helped establish a musical foundation that can still be heard in his songwriting today.
During the late 1990s, Edwin discovered Sonata Arctica through songs including “FullMoon” and “My Land.” That opened the door to melodic and power metal, while bands such as Nightwish showed him how effectively keyboards could be placed beside guitars inside powerful metal arrangements.
Edwin was already drawn to the Eurodance, trance and keyboard driven music of the 1990s. Bringing those electronic influences together with melodic metal gave him the foundations of what would become METALITE.
That combination emerged through “Afterlife,” the band’s first single and an early example of the METALITE sound. Years later, the song remains popular with listeners and continues to hold its place in the band’s live performances.
Creating a cinematic METALITE universe
The cinematic quality of METALITE’s music is not there simply to make the songs feel bigger. Edwin wants each track to pull the listener inside its atmosphere from the moment they press play.
That approach has become even more important across Expedition One and Discovery, where the music forms part of a continuing science fiction narrative. Edwin is also working to connect that developing concept with ideas found throughout METALITE’s earlier albums.
Although these records now contain an expanding universe, Edwin revealed that the process does not begin with a completed story.
“I write songs and I find different elements that I want to include, and then I build a story after that.”
The concept grows from the music rather than controlling it from the beginning. A guitar riff, keyboard melody or electronic soundscape can establish an emotion, setting or direction before Edwin knows exactly where it belongs within the story.
Once Expedition One had created the foundation, Discovery gave METALITE the opportunity to travel further into that universe. Edwin has no desire to end the journey there either, confirming that the band already intends to continue its science fiction theme into the next album.
What began with Expedition One could become a trilogy or perhaps grow into an even longer story across future METALITE releases.
That open ended approach is part of the appeal for Edwin. He does not need to know every destination before the journey begins.
“In my stories, there will be no limits.”
Capturing an idea before it disappears
Edwin’s songwriting process can begin almost anywhere.
If a melody or musical idea arrives while he is driving, he reaches for his smartphone and records it before it disappears. Those fragments are later taken into his home studio and developed into demos.
By the time METALITE begin shaping an album, Edwin can have between 40 and 50 different song ideas waiting to be explored. He works through that collection to find which ones have the potential to become complete compositions.
The process remains highly experimental. Edwin knows the general sound and direction he wants, but he also leaves enough space for unexpected ideas to appear.
Songs can be rewritten when the music no longer matches the emotional direction of the story. Lyrics may need to change, arrangements can be reshaped and countless guitar parts might be written before Edwin finds the riff that gives a particular moment the weight it needs.
For him, it is not enough to settle for a riff that simply works. It needs to be the right one.
Building the production around Erica Ohlsson’s voice
Erica Ohlsson’s vocals enter the process relatively early.
Rather than completing every instrumental and electronic layer before the vocals are recorded, Edwin and Erica work together on the lead performances, choirs and harmonies while the surrounding production is still taking shape.
Those vocals can then influence the keyboards, programming and other elements placed around them. A harmony or choir may create an opportunity for a new keyboard melody, while the developing arrangements can lead Edwin and Erica back towards additional vocal ideas.
It is not the easiest way to produce an album with this many moving pieces, but having his own studio gives Edwin control over the complete process. He can continue adjusting the guitars, vocals, programming and cinematic layers until they feel like parts of the same song rather than separate elements competing for space.
The human emergency behind the science fiction
While Discovery is set in the distant reaches of space, its story remains connected to problems already facing humanity.
People are continuing to look beyond Earth and investigate how far into the universe we might eventually travel. Mars has become one of the most visible targets, but METALITE’s fictional setting allows Edwin to push that exploration far beyond what is currently possible.
The futuristic concept also gives the band space to explore deeply human experiences.
“In Case Of Emergency” carries the huge melodies, energy and electronic layers listeners expect from METALITE, but its emotional foundation is far more personal. Edwin explained that the song was inspired by the importance of having somebody beside you through illness, depression and other difficult periods.
“Everyone needs a friend. To talk to, and to be with.”
It is a simple message, but one that cuts through the technology and cosmic scale surrounding the album. No matter how far humanity travels or how advanced the world becomes, the need for genuine connection remains.
A heavier and more authentic METALITE
Jacob Hansen has mixed and mastered every METALITE studio album. After five records together, he understands how the band’s guitars, vocals, rhythm section and electronic elements need to interact.
For Discovery, Edwin wanted the guitars pushed further forward. The band pursued a heavier sound built around more chugging riffs, greater low end weight and a stronger physical impact.
“We wanted this album to get a little bit more heavier than the other ones.”
The album also marks drummer Erik Junttila Johansson’s first METALITE studio recording. His speed, precision and power helped the band reach the heavier direction Edwin wanted, while still preserving the melodic and electronic identity at the centre of their music.
That increased guitar presence becomes especially clear across the unreleased deeper cuts. Edwin named “Captive In The Past” as one of his personal favourites, and it is easy to understand why. The track contains some crushing guitar work, while songs including “Wings Of Fire” reveal how much weight METALITE have brought into this new chapter.
The result is an album Edwin describes as more authentic. It is still unmistakably METALITE, but with more muscle behind the melodies and cinematic soundscapes.
Bringing Discovery to the stage
Recreating METALITE’s layered studio sound live presents its own challenges.
Throughout their recent shows, the band have continued adjusting their guitars and overall mix to bring the live performance closer to the sound of Discovery. Edwin believes they are now nearing that goal, with the new material expected to sound especially heavy on stage.
The band want to bring each of the album’s singles into the new live set, including “Starchild” and “In Case Of Emergency.”
The bigger question for Australian listeners is whether METALITE can bring that show Down Under.
Edwin made it clear that the desire is there, but the current costs surrounding international travel, touring and ticket prices make Australia a difficult destination for many bands. METALITE are considering future plans for Japan, which could potentially bring them closer to eventually reaching Australian audiences.
It is another reminder of why directly supporting artists matters. Streaming complete albums, purchasing physical releases, attending shows and buying merchandise all help bands continue creating music and reaching new parts of the world.
As Edwin perfectly explained, there is also another reason to experience METALITE’s records from beginning to end.
“Listen to the albums and you get the story.”
METALITE’s fifth studio album, Discovery, will be released on September 25, 2026 through PERCEPTION, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music.
Pre-Order Discovery HERE:
https://metalite.rpm.link/discoveryPR
METALITE is:
Erica Ohlsson – Vocals
Edwin Premberg – Guitar / Additional Vocals / Programming
Robert Örnesved – Guitar
Erik Junttila Johansson – Drums
Robert Majd – Bass
