Released on April 18, 2025, Necro marks a defining chapter in the evolution of modern Swedish death metal—a brutal yet calculated assault that reaffirms LIK’s place as one of the genre’s fiercest torchbearers. With their fourth full-length album, the Stockholm quartet delivers a record that is as gruesome as it is gripping, showcasing a band confident in their identity and unafraid to refine their filth with finesse.
Emerging from the lineage of classic Scandinavian death metal, LIK carries the old-school torch with pride, but Necro isn’t merely a throwback—it’s a forward march through the graveyard gates. With Tomas Åkvik handling both guitar and vocals, the band hits their stride, blending chainsaw riffing, macabre lyricism, and airtight performances that balance chaos with compositional clarity.
A Statement in Sound: Grit Meets Grooves
Necro doesn’t try to redefine death metal’s rules—it reminds you why they worked in the first place. The album opens with “Deceased,” a pummeling blend of galloping riffs and cavernous growls that immediately sets the mood as furious and atmospheric. “War Praise” follows with lean, war-charged aggression, echoing the spirit of Left Hand Path while standing firmly on its own rotten feet.
Tracks like “They” and “Worms Inside” showcase LIK’s command of groove-laden death metal, stitching together skull-splitting riffs with dark, memorable melodies. “Morgue Rat” emerges as a highlight—five minutes of relentless decay wrapped in shockingly hooky phrasing that sticks long after the song ends.
“Shred into Pieces,” the album’s shortest and most feral moment, lives up to its name—a violent burst of pit-fueled energy. In contrast, “In Ruins” slows the tempo and lets dread seep through the cracks, building into the razor-sharp carnage of “The Stockholm Massacre.”
Sonic Surgery: Production that Preserves the Rot
Produced by Lawrence Mackrory (Bloodbath, Darkane), Necro finds the sweet spot between raw intensity and polished execution. The HM-2 buzzsaw tone gnaws through every track, but the mix gives each instrument space to shine. It’s a sound that’s engineered for damage yet controlled enough to showcase the players' finesse.
Chris Barkensjö’s drumming anchors the record with precision and feel, especially on “Fields of Death,” where tempo shifts and dynamic beats heighten the tension. The closer, “Rotten Inferno,” stretches past the five-minute mark with an epic build of melody and malevolence, ending the album with one last breath from the grave.
Tales from the Tomb: Death as Drama
Lyrically, Necro explores death in both its literal and symbolic forms. Åkvik’s vocals are guttural yet articulate, bringing menace to each phrase—whether he’s recounting rot and ruin or meditating on mortality. “They” and “In Ruins” carry a cinematic sense of dread, while “The Stockholm Massacre” brings real-life horror into LIK’s shadowy world.
In a 2025 interview, Åkvik shares:
“We’ve always looked at death metal as more than just brutality—it’s about storytelling, creating an atmosphere that drags you under.”
LIK blends gore, mythology, and dread into a narrative experience that elevates Necro beyond mere shock value.
Consistency Through Carnage
Clocking in just under 45 minutes, Necro wastes no time. Every track earns its place, and the sequencing feels deliberate—balancing savagery with pacing and groove with gore. There’s no filler, no fat—just focused fury from start to finish.
LIK doesn’t reinvent Swedish death metal—they sharpen it. Necro is a modern record with an old soul, raw in its execution but refined in its vision. It bites, it bleeds, and it leaves a lasting scar.
Final Verdict: 8.5/10
Standout Tracks:
- Deceased
- War Praise
- Morgue Rat
- In Ruins
- Rotten Inferno
Necro stands tall among the best of modern death metal—grotesque, gripping, and surgically executed. LIK proves yet again that the genre isn’t just alive—it’s undead, and it’s thriving.
If you’re craving buzzsaw riffs, bone-splintering hooks, and death metal done with conviction, Necro is the next essential slab for your altar of noise.
Until next time, play it loud, friends!
