This year, Polish death metal outfit SPHERE unleashed a powerful new record titled “Inferno”. I’m thrilled to introduce it to you through this interview, where Visnia (vocals) and Th0rn (drums) shed some light on the album and the band’s vision.
Congrats on your new album, it’s fantastic! What would you say sets it apart from the one you released back in 2022?
Th0rn: Thanks for the kind words about the new album! It’s definitely a continuation of the previous one — an expansion of ideas that started forming back when we were working on that record. We definitely feel more confident now, more at home within our own musical space. And honestly — maybe we just had better riff ideas this time around!
How long did it take you to work on the album? And what would you say is its biggest strength?
Th0rn: I think the album is quite cohesive — and that’s probably its biggest strength. I’d also add that there’s a good balance between brutality and melody; we feel like we managed to strike that balance pretty well this time.
The material came together fairly quickly, mainly because of an unexpected situation — our rehearsal space got flooded after a heavy storm. It took a long time for the gear to dry, and then we had to scramble to find a new space. In the end, we only had about three months before heading into the studio. So Xan and I got to work, full-on, and after those three intense months, we entered the studio to record “Inferno”.
So, the album “Inferno” follows on from the previous one thematically too, right? Was that your plan from the very beginning?
Th0rn: Exactly. As you know, the previous album was inspired by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With Inferno, we went in the direction of Dante’s Hell — each track represents one of the nine circles of hell. In both cases, these were concept albums, and somehow that format just really works for us. We feel comfortable creating within that kind of framework. We’ll see what the future brings — whether the next record will follow a similar concept-driven approach or maybe take a different direction altogether.
Your new album is dark, melodic, but also brutal and intense. The listener doesn’t get bored while listening. Is this exactly the style you want to present? Is musical diversity one of the most important points for you?
Th0rn: Personally, I love brutal music — but I believe it needs to have a sense of atmosphere and melody as well. We want our listeners to take something away from our music, something that lingers in their minds and keeps coming back. That moment of recognition — when someone hears a part and instantly knows, “this is Sphere” — that’s what we’re aiming for.
It’s really an art form to create that kind of experience for the listener. I know it from my own perspective — how important it is when a riff sticks in your head, instead of just being mindless noise that you forget as soon as it ends.
In my opinion, your music has world-class standards. But are your ambitions the same? Or do you make music mainly for pleasure?
Th0rn: From the very beginning, we’ve made the kind of music we ourselves would want to listen to — the kind we genuinely enjoy. Personally, my ambitions are pretty high, and I’d love to take this band to the top. But let’s be honest… there are so many amazing bands and so much great music out there that breaking through is incredibly difficult. On top of that, music from Eastern Europe is still a bit in the shadow when it comes to getting exposure through Western labels and media. Just take a look at the first two or three major metal magazines or zines — you’ll instantly see tons of bands making genuinely interesting music, music that deserves way more attention. We’re fully aware of that — it’s just the way things are. But hey, who knows… maybe one day we’ll go on tour with SLAYER, hehe ;)))
What was the greatest challenge in creating such a carefully crafted recording? What aspects did you find most difficult, and which did you emphasize the most?
Th0rn: I think a lot of the pressure came from time — or rather, the lack of it. That really stressed me out, and I honestly wasn’t sure if we’d be able to finish everything before the studio deadline. In the end, though, we made it, and we’re really happy with how it all turned out.
For me personally, the biggest challenge this time was the track Luxuria. It’s probably the fastest and most intense song I’ve ever recorded. Getting it right in the studio — making sure there were as few mistakes as possible — was definitely a challenge. Fortunately, it worked out… so, uffff.
The CD has a modern sound — it’s incredible! While you clearly respect the roots of the genre, I believe you aimed to create a contemporary recording. Is that right?
Th0rn: You know, personally I prefer a more modern sound overall. Sure, the material draws from tradition — from the best elements of death metal — but I just don’t see our recordings working with that old-school, dirty kind of production. It just doesn’t click with me, and to be honest, I’m not a fan of that sound in general.
I don’t think it would fit the way we write and structure our songs. If you take a look at our previous albums, you’ll notice they all lean towards a more modern production style. I think that’s something we’ll definitely stick with moving forward.
What inspires you the most when writing lyrics? Real life stories, or do you draw more from history, books, movies, etc.?
Visnia: What inspires me most is a combination of real human experience and broader cultural or mythological themes. I often start from something personal – an emotion, a struggle, or a reflection on society – and then expand it using history, literature, or religious texts to give it a more universal weight. For example, for Inferno I’ve drawn on, obviously, Dante’s Divine Comedy, I’ve drawn on H.P. Lovecraft’s writings, or even on the Bible itself, namely The Book of Revelation, which was the basis for “Blood Era”. But I don’t use those inspirations as direct retellings. Instead, I reinterpret them through the lens of modern chaos, conflict, and resilience. Movies, books, and historical events are more like raw material for me, they provide imagery and symbolism, while the emotional core always comes from lived experience.
So in short, I balance real life with myth and history: the human condition is the spark, and literature, philosophy, and art provide the language and metaphors to express it.
The artwork of the album is beautiful. Are you planning a vinyl release as well?
Th0rn: For now, we’re not sure if a vinyl release will happen sometime in the future — maybe… who knows, we’ll see. Once again, the layout was done by Perverson, and just like with “Blood Era”, his work is top-notch. I think he did an amazing job here, and personally, we’re very satisfied with the results — just like we were with “Blood Era”.
I believe we’ll release more material with him in the future, and you’ll all get to admire Michał’s craftsmanship and hard work!
Are metal icons like VADER or BEHEMOTH, who helped open doors to the world for others, still important for the Polish scene? Or is everything already different, has the time changed, and does every band have to go its own way?
Visnia: Vader and Behemoth are absolutely still relevant and important. After all, they were the ones who proved that a band from Poland can break through globally and stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest names in extreme metal. They opened doors not just in terms of recognition, but also in showing that professionalism, persistence, and a clear artistic vision matter as much as raw talent.
That said, the landscape has changed. Today, every band has access to digital platforms, social media, and self-production tools that didn’t exist back then. The challenge now is different: it’s less about convincing the world that Polish metal exists, and more about finding your own unique identity in an oversaturated global market. So in a way, we all stand on the shoulders of those giants—but each band still has to carve its own path, because what worked for VADER or BEHEMOTH in the ’90s and 2000s won’t necessarily work now.
There are a lot of new bands in Poland that are really great. Could you recommend some to us? Are there any bands that, in your opinion, should get more attention?
Th0rn: There are definitely some new bands out there that are worth checking out. To be honest, I don’t follow the Polish scene that closely — mostly because I just don’t have the time — but there are a few releases I can definitely recommend.
VITUR recently put out a great album — they’re a young band playing technical death metal and it’s really solid stuff. The new DORMANT ORDEAL record also caught my attention, especially since the vocalist is a friend of ours who’s helped us out with live shows in the past. And the new Hellspawn release is definitely worth listening to as well — a really strong album!
Are young people in Poland interested in extreme metal, or is it rather something for the older generations?
Visnia: To be honest, I don’t see that many younger people at extreme metal shows. The core of the audience seems to be getting older. Those who grew up with this music in the ’90s and 2000s are still the most dedicated. Younger generations often gravitate towards other forms of heavy music, or discover extreme metal only later and in smaller numbers. That doesn’t mean the scene is dying, but it does mean it’s maturing. Extreme metal in Poland feels more and more like a gathering of veterans, people who have carried this passion with them for decades. It gives the scene a certain strength and resilience, but it also makes it clear that keeping it alive for the future is going to take real effort.
Poland has a new president. What do you expect from him? In your opinion, did you choose well?
Visnia: SPHERE has always been and will always remain apolitical. Our themes are not connected to politics, governments, or the socio-global landscape in any way. What drives us creatively are religious themes, darkness, and the exploration of spiritual and existential extremes – not political commentary. So in that sense, whoever holds political office in Poland doesn’t influence what we do. Our music exists outside that bubble, and that’s where we intend to keep it.
What are your immediate plans? Will you be supporting the new recording with a concert tour?
Th0rn: We’ve just wrapped up the summer festival season, and this Friday we’re kicking off our Poland tour promoting “Inferno”. The shows are scheduled across the upcoming weekends, so we’ll be quite busy for a while. After that, we’ll slowly start thinking about the next material — time to come up with some new compositions. We’ll probably lock ourselves in the rehearsal room and start crafting new riffs. That’s the life of a musician — never a dull moment!
Thank you for the interview, and best of luck with your future music projects.
Th0rn: Thanks a lot for the chat — it was great talking! Take care, and we hope to see you at some festivals next year. Maybe we’ll even get a chance to play somewhere near you! In the meantime, feel free to check out our social media — Facebook, Instagram, or Bandcamp — where you can listen to our music or grab some band merch. All the best from us!
ALL