Ελληνικά
Ahoy, metal pirates of Greece! Raise the Jolly Roger and set sail for high-seas heavy metal glory, as Metal Invader welcomes Blazon Stone on the eve of their triumphant return to your shores. Fresh from charting new waters beyond the familiar Up the Hammers festival, these Swedish buccaneers—led by the indomitable Cederick Forsberg—are docking in uncharted Greek ports with their thunderous anthems of rum, rebellion, and riffs. Echoing the golden era of Running Wild, Blazon Stone’s saga has evolved from a solo voyage into a full-band armada, blending classic power metal fury with personal twists that keep the cannons blazing. We caught up with Cederick to plunder the depths of their sound, tour tales, and what’s brewing in the captain’s log ahead of these epic shows.
Hello pirates! I’m pleased to welcome you to Metal Invader! On the occasion of your upcoming live shows in Greece, we’re excited to have you with us and dive into the world of your high-seas heavy metal adventures.
First of all, is everyone alright? Are you equally excited for your upcoming shows here in Greece? How does it feel to be bringing your music to the Greek audience?
Cederick: I can only speak for myself but it’s ok, nice with upcoming shows. We’re visiting new cities this time and these are our first shows in the country outside Up the Hammers. I hope people will have fun!
Blazon Stone has a very distinct identity rooted in the Running Wild-esque themes. What does it represent for you beyond the aesthetics and your obvious love for the band?
Cederick: It just happened that way I guess but it continues from start until now and on I guess hah. I’m doing my thing and try to not think much about, it about limits on that sense, but the sound of the band is there. It’s what it comes natural to me while writing the songs.
Do you see your music as a tribute to that era, or as a continuation and evolution of that style?
Cederick: The early albums are more rigid on that sense, and obviously the essence is there and is the whole body of the sound. I’m allowing myself to have my own identity and I’m careful with what I write, but again, the style comes natural to me in the process.
The band originally started as a project driven by Cederick Forsberg. How did the transition from a one-man project to a full band come about?
Cederick: It was many years of trying to make Rocka Rollas a full time band but that was not happening and seemed like people were more interested in Blazon Stone anyway based on popularity so why not try to make use of that. Haha!!!
Looking back at your discography, from Return to Port Royal to your more recent releases, how do you see the evolution of the music industry? What do you believe are the most distinct differences and similarities in touring and audiences?
Cederick: Social media is more important, and I am not really up to date with everything that you gotta doas a band these days to stay relevant. I am okay with posting on Facebook and recently Instagram, but my prefered is Youtube… I tried Tiktok, I hated it. I dont like the format with shorter vertical videos.
Cannot just be a musician these days, but luckily I have some interest for filming videos and stuff sometimes.
How do you view the current heavy/power metal scene? Do you think there is still room for traditional sounds in today’s landscape?
Cederick: Not in a mainstream way I don’t think there’s much opportunity for anybody. Extreme metal is way more popular and has way more people interested in it. I am not really up to date with modern sounds but I wouldn’t complain about modern sounds, they do their thing and it works.
If you had to describe Blazon Stone in three words, what would they be?
Cederick: Fast melodic maybe
Your latest release came out in 2021; can we expect any new material soon or maybe some new tracks while you’ll be touring Greece?
Cederick: Actually our latest release is a digital EP in December 2025 with some songs that will later be included on “The Madmans Rejects And Rarities” which will be a compilation of songs that will not make it to the next main album which will be released way later. Still deciding and writing songs and cutting shit off and it piles up, together with a whole bunch of other old material. So a fraction of everything in my archives has been chosen to put life into and release as a compilation at some point, maybe this year. The next main album will be later.
Thank you very much for this interview! Care for a message to your Greek fans?
The library in Gävle has very nice lunch!
