Jord has completed his fourth album.
Created by Jörgen “Jurg” Ström (guitar/bass/vocals, ex-Omnicidal, ex-Rimfrost) in 2020, he was joined two years later by Sebastian “Hravn” Svedlund (guitars, Rimfrost, Omnicidal) and Stefan “Jansson” Jansson (drums, Omnicidal, Judgment Fire). In 2025, the three musicians announced the release of Emellan träden on Hammerheart Records.
The album opens with Stay, the first long composition, which begins by enchanting us with airy, soaring sounds before being enveloped by saturation while remaining impressive. The new Doom influences are omnipresent on this haunting track, which is darkened by furious vocals but returns as soon as possible to its sweet melancholy, which colors the most violent passages, as on Hon Kallar, which is definitely more aggressive. The piercing leads give a much more virulent flavor to this track, which sweeps over us but doesn’t hesitate to return to a more tranquil pace, welcoming choirs before racing off again towards King Of The Night, a much calmer track. We quickly find ourselves spellbound by the dark and melodious riffs, which take advantage of changes in rhythm to become more catchy, including a particularly luminous solo before handing over to Dimma, which starts off with a bang before imposing its gentleness. The vocals are accompanied by the return of the heart-wrenching heaviness that will color the rest of the composition despite soothing harmonics, then Vid Muren envelops us in his haunting melodies before returning to more violent saturation. In the same vein, there is a rather wild Old School explosion, including a sharp solo that fits perfectly with the raw approach, but it is indeed tranquility that leads us to Prinsessan Och Hästen, which reconnects with fury. The track is the first on the album to feature clean vocals, creating an interesting duet with the usual screams, which becomes even more majestic with the keyboards enhancing the whole thing, before coming to an end to allow Den Brandgula Salen to adopt a fairly similar formula. Choirs and ethereal notes fly here and there to create a contrast with the more raw and very catchy basis of the song, which rages before taking on a heavier tone on The Grave And Chain, which takes advantage of a very heavy bass to deploy intoxicating leads. The track remains quite intoxicating and takes advantage of its very trippy sounds to intensify its contrast and allow each element to fully express itself before reaching Bortom Tundran, the last composition, which first hypnotizes us with an airy instrumental and then lets clear vocals and screams respond to each other before returning to silence.
With Emellan träden, Jord confirms that his mix is even more dreamy and intoxicating than before, but also that he is capable of indulging in bursts of violence. Fans of dark yet ethereal music will be captivated.
90/100
A few questions to Jörgen “Jurg” Ström, thinking head and guitarist/vocalist for the Swedish Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal band Jord about the release of new album sum Emellan träden.
Hello and first of all, thank you very much for your time! How would you introduce the band Jord without using the musical labels, such as “Black Metal” or any subgenre?
Jörgen “Jurg” Ström (guitar/vocals): Hello, thank you for the opportunity to do this interview! Jord is a band rooted in the mysteries, darkness and beauty of Swedish nature. From how the music flows and how the lyrics come to life.
Do you remember how you came with the name Jord, and how do you link it to the music you play?
Jurg: Jord means earth or soil in Swedish. The meaning leans to soil. It was like planting a seed early on. I took long walks in the forest fantasizing about this band I wanted to create. And everyday it grew more to something I knew I could make happen. I wanted to tell stories about the earth and forests I knew. I wanted to learn more about folklore and mythology for a long time. And also reflect some sort of fighting spirit of our ancestors. The band name had to reflect that and be easy to remember. That’s where I thought of Jord.
Jord is about to release its fourth album, Emellan träden. How do you feel about it? Do you already have any feedback?
Jurg: It feels very good. We are all very happy about the result. We’ve had one review so far and it was very good. The singles have also been well received by the public. I’m looking forward to see and hear more people’s reactions to this album.
How would you sum Emellan träden’s identity up in only three words?
Jurg: Enchanting, painful, hopefull
How did the creation process happen in the band? Did it become easier to compose as a three-piece with time?
Jurg: I’m still writing all the music and lyrics but now I have excellent feedback from the others on how to make it even better. Hopefully they will be more involved in the writing of the next album. That process has already started. I usually write all the music first. I get ideas for melodies when I’m driving, walking in the forest or working. When I get home I sit down by the computer and start to make songs out those ideas. The lyrics come last but I get ideas for them during the whole process. Next album might be more of a concept album with a story from the beginning to the end. Emellan Träden have a separate story for each song.
The band’s sound is a mix of both Black and Doom Metal elements to create its own identity, which bands would you quote as your main influences?
Jurg: I get influences from a lot of bands that I enjoy and respect. Mostly Katatonia, Alcest and Dissection I would say.
Where do you find your inspiration to create music and lyrics?
Jurg: I get inspired by nature a lot. Every time I’m in the forest I get new ideas. Also my band members inspire me to write. And hearing great music by others.
Do you have a favorite song on Emellan träden? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve for the album.
Jurg: I think Stay is the current favorite. It can change though sometimes. The hardest was probably Stay as well. I didn’t really like it at first. But our producer Micke had some ideas for it in the studio and it changed my mind completely. Now I love it.
Do you think you improved yourself as a musician/songwriter with this new record?
Jurg: Yes I do. I grow every time I write a new album. I can really feel the evolution I’m going through as a songwriter and it’s amazing to experience. Actually I can’t wait to record album number five.
Emellan träden is the second album released in collaboration with Hammerheart Records, how is it to work with them?
Jurg: It’s been great. I’m really happy to have them as our label. They are very professional and supportive.
Jord was first a solo project, then evolved as a trio. What motivated this evolution?
Jurg: It was because of bigger labels getting interested in Jord. And I knew that I needed to have a band if it’s gonna meet up with the demands of those labels. And the first two albums were recorded in my home studio which is very limited. So I needed a band and a professional studio to make a better album. And now we are adding a fourth member on guitar. Micke our producer is joining the band for the tour because Seb can’t go. But we will keep Micke after the tour as well.
Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with? Whether it is for just a song, or an album, a cover art…
Jurg: We actually talked about that recently that it would be cool to have Fredrik Åkesson from Opeth do a guitar solo on the next album. So who knows, maybe we will get lucky to have him on. And I have a lot to thank Alcest for. Without me discovering them Jord wouldn’t sound or look like this. So a collaboration with Neige would be a privilege for me.
I unfortunately never attended a Jord show yet, what can we expect of the band on stage? I saw you have a tour planned in Europe alongside Shade Empire and As the Sun Falls, how do you get prepared for it?
Jurg: We want to create the same atmosphere as on the albums and also add a lot more energy to hopefully leave the audience wanting more when we are done. We don’t have a lot of resources for a big show right now. But we do the best we can with what we have. Often I see people closing their eyes and just smile when we play. And I really like that. That means we are reaching in to them like we want.
Have you ever heard of the French Metal scene? Are there any bands you know and like?
Jurg: Yes as I mentioned earlier Alcest is a big influence on Jord. I started to discover them on their album Kodama. And I was captivated directly. They made music that I wanted to make. Jord sounded more like that in the beginning. But now I think we have developed our own sound more. Also I really like Les Discrets and Amesoeurs. Great bands.
If I ask you to create a poster with Jord as headliner and three other bands for the release of Emellan träden, which bands would you like to play with? Even unrealistic answers are accepted.
Jurg: Haha great question. I love to fantasize like this. I would definitely choose Alcest, Katatonia and Opeth. I really hope that we get to open for those bands at some point in the future.
Last and funny question: which dish would you compare Jord’s music with?
Jurg: Jord would taste like a dish of moose meat, fresh potatoes from the soil, a deep rich brown sauce and some lingon (airelles in French) berry jam.
That was the last question for me, so thank you very much for your time and your music, last words are yours!
Jurg: Thank you very much for having me and I hope you and your readers have the opportunity to come and see us on our first European tour. If you found out here let me know when I see you. We play in Paris at Le Glazart the 29th of September and in Lyon at Rock n Eat the 2nd of October. Merci and santé!