Interviews About Albums: GOLD SPIRE - Steps Into Shadow (2026)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Swedish Progressive Doom Metal/Death Metal band GOLD SPIRE to ask questions about their album, "Steps Into Shadow".

1. What can you say about Steps into Shadow?

We began writing this album three years ago, so it’s taken quite a long time to finish. Many of the early ideas were scrapped because they just didn’t capture the feeling we were aiming for, or they didn’t fit the direction we had in mind. Instead of forcing the process, we kept refining the songs until the album felt complete as a whole. Like our previous release, we wanted each track to stand on its own while still adding to a larger journey. We aimed for every song to feel distinct from the last — something listeners can experience as they move through the record from start to finish.

At the same time, we found ourselves leaning more toward traditional songwriting, drawing stronger influence from classic ’70s metal than from conventional death metal. The riffs, structures, and melodies became more direct, while hopefully still keeping the heaviness and intensity intact.

2. What is the meaning of the album's name?

Of course, this remains open to interpretation, and we have no interest in dictating how anyone should experience it. The idea behind the album as a whole was to pay tribute to the Swedish working class and to the continuing struggle for emancipation in a time shaped by weakening democracy and the resurgence of fascist ideas. The title track reflects both the societal and personal decay imposed on ordinary people when those in power seek to erode unity and solidarity. In that sense, “Steps into Shadow” can be understood either as being consumed by oppression or as being driven underground in order to build genuine resistance. But again, that is simply our own interpretation.

3. Which one is the composer of the Steps into Shadow?

Erik and I (Påhl) write all the music and lyrics.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

That’s a difficult one, since I see the entire album as a single body of work meant to be experienced as a whole. Naturally, there are certain passages I’m more or less satisfied with, but overall I think the album came very close to what we originally envisioned.

5. Is there a special message in this album? If there is what it is?

As I mentioned earlier, the album is ultimately open to interpretation, but we did have a specific narrative in mind while writing it. At its core, it explores themes surrounding the rise of fascism and the growing assault on workers’ rights and civil liberties. As a historical backdrop, we drew heavily from the events of Ådalen in 1931, when Swedish troops opened fire on a workers’ demonstration during a labor conflict, which became both an important historical reference point and a major source of atmosphere for the album. To us, it stands not only as a reminder of how brutally the ruling class has responded to working-class resistance in the past, but also as a lens through which the tensions of the present can be understood. In many ways, the album imagines history beginning to repeat itself — a return to a time when the working class may once again be forced to rise against those in power.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

Not really. The album is supposed to be experienced as a whole, both musically and lyrically.

7. Which inspirations have been important for Steps into Shadow? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Since Erik and I have been writing—and listening to—music together for the better part of 30 years, we’ve built up a vast shared reservoir of inspiration. That influence spans everything from jazz and old-school death metal to 80s new wave, 70s progressive rock, underground black metal, industrial, grindcore, and crust punk. There are simply far too many bands and artists across those worlds to name individually.

Of course, we owe a great deal to friends and family who have supported us along the way. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone in the band for their dedication, hard work, and the trust they’ve placed in the process. A special thanks also goes to Lawrence Mackrory for once again bringing the album across the finish line and helping it reach its full potential. Huge appreciation as well to Li at Awakening Records for giving us the opportunity to release this record — something we truly don’t take for granted. And finally, thank you to everyone who takes an interest in our music and our ideas, including you at “Breathing the Core.”

8. Something to add?

Thanks again & good luck!

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