BLAZON STONE
Blazon Stone is a Swedish heavy/power metal band formed in 2011 by multi‑instrumentalist and songwriter Cederick Forsberg, initially as a one‑man studio project. Named after Running Wild’s classic 1991 album, the band set out with zero subtlety: fast riffs, galloping rhythms, heroic choruses, and a full‑on devotion to tales of pirates, warfare, and historical battles.
Over time, Blazon Stone evolved from Forsberg’s solo vision into a full lineup, sharpening their sound into a blend of speed metal intensity and anthemic power metal hooks. Their discography, spans over a decade from Return to Port Royal (2013) to Damnation (2021). Today, Blazon Stone stands as one of Sweden’s most consistent and passionate heavy metal forces, carrying the torch for high‑seas storytelling and old‑school metal craftsmanship with conviction.
Hello Cederick, Let's start with an introduction of you and the band.
Hi, we are a Swedish heavy metal band from Sweden with myself on guitar, Emil on 2nd guitar, Karl on drums, Matias on vocals and Johannes on bass. Matias is from Finland, so we are in two countries.
I guess the band is named after Running Wild's sixth studio record. Is that correct and do you consider it to be Running Wild's best album?
Yes it is, and no I do not consider it to be my favorite. That would be Black Hand Inn or Death Or Glory.
Are you tired of the Running Wild comparisons or do you see it as a good thing being compared to such a legendary band?
I would prefer if interviewers asked about the band and less about Running Wild but sure it's obvious were we get our sound from, not hiding it, but that is pretty much obvious at this point. Haha.
What are your main influences and how did you get into metal music?
I guess when I got Brave New World (Iron Maiden) as christmas present in 2000 or so, I was obsessing about that album. And then Hammerfall “Renegade” around the same time. That's where it begun for me at least, I was 11 years or so.
You've been active with several projects including Rocka Rollas and Bronze. How do you have time for all of it?
I guess it's just the main thing I like to do! Haha
You also run a YouTube channel. How's life as a YouTuber?
Life as a youtuber sounds like I make a living there, which I do not... It's just a place to upload stuff whenever I feel like. It's making literally zero money. It used to make some until some stupid update on the site, not that I made much to begin with, but revenue dropped to zero, and others have reported the same experience.
You did a gates to purgatory set with Hasche and Preacher, formerly of Running Wild. I've seen a clip on YouTube of that show but are there any full audio recordings or video for that matter of it?
There's some video and audio recordings of that yes!
Blazon Stone with Ex-Running Wild members Hasche and Preacher.
It's been a few years since we got a new Rocka Rolla album but I noticed that you were looking for a new vocalist. So have you found one yet and when can we expect new material?
I got no auditioners at all when I announced that, so expect nothing haha.
How do you view the NWOTHM movement, Do you consider all your bands being part of the wave that never seems to end?
Well I guess Rocka Rollas and Blazon Stone could be considered part of that, since our first albums was released in 2011 and 2013, but if the NWOBHM was only between 1978-1983, that's five years, then it can be debated if newer bands actually should carry that label... It's all heavy metal anyway.
Our readers might not be familiar with Blazon Stone, If so, where should they start, Can you recommend an album or a song?
Go for Damnation from 2021! Latest album and with current singer.
You released an EP in 2025 titled Treasure Hunt on bandcamp, was there no physical release for it?
No, I explained online that it will be included on a compilation called “The Madmans Rejects And Rarities” that will feauture updated mix of Treasure Hunt, some other reject non-album stuff and some old demos and other stuff, including some stuff with original singer Erik Nordkvist!
Do you already have ideas brewing for the next Blazon Stone album?
Yes, the Treasure Hunt EP was rejects and throwaway stuff that cannot make it to the next album. The next album will not have any “pirate lyrics” on it either. Already on Damnation there was barely anything like that anyway.
What do you listen to these days? You've got any bands to recommend to our readers?
I just listen to some random songs here and there... Mostly The Exploited lately I think.
Do you write with the live environment in mind, or do songs come together more naturally in the studio first?
This question is a bit weird because it puts an “or” when it really is both... Haha
Your lyrics often lean toward epic pirate tales but there is also a lot of mythological themes and war and conquering. What inspires your lyrics?
If it's about war it's not about conquering in a positive sense but more about the horrors of it. No Sign Of Glory, Hell On Earth and songs like that. Or about government oppression with Heart Of Stone. Or contemporary perspective on todays world with Wandering Souls, and how everything is screwed up.
What do you think of the pirate metal genre. Are there any good bands besides Running Wild and Blazon Stone?
It think bands should be labeled by how they sound, not what the lyrics are about. We dont only sing “about pirates”, anybody who thinks that has not actually read the lyrics for most songs. We used to more of that early, but with time less. I don't want to be associated with party bands like Alestorm. But somehow some people put us under the same banner. It doesn't make much sense to me.
Any last words for our readers?
Gävle library has great lunch!
Thank you!
By / Ruthless
2026-02-24
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