Fredag Den 13:e ‎– Mänskliga Gränstillstand LP

Fredag Den 13:e ‎– Mänskliga Gränstillstand LP

"Fredag Den 13:e erupted from Gothenburg in 2006 asserting their dominance in the modern Scandicrust scene. Over the years, they’ve forged a distinct musical blend known as stadium crust—a term not referring to playing stadium stages, but rather capturing the epic magnitude of their sound. Seamlessly blending genres, their style is where the raw might of Anti Cimex, Mob-47 and Totalitär meets the invigorating riffs of Poison Idea and Motörhead. Amplifying this potent mix are the echoes of Gothenburg’s own melo-death legends At The Gates, crafting a sound that’s both familiar and fiercely energizing.

Since their blazing seven-inch debut in 2007, Fredag Den 13:e have been on a relentless march forward. And now, with their fifth LP, Mänskliga Gränstillstånd, which roughly translates to “Human Limit States”, they’ve unleashed what can easily be proclaimed as their most monumental album to date.

Consisting of twelve new songs, Fredag Den 13:e unveil a diverse landscape in Mänskliga Gränstillstånd. While “Våldsmonopol” fervently turns up the intensity with its d-beat fervor, “Tyst Vår” ventures into the chilling realm of black metal. Tracks like “En Sömn Utan Slut” aren’t shy about harnessing the full-throttle force of Gothenburg’s famed death metal, whereas “Förlorade År” echoes with an old-school hardcore heritage. The entirety of the album resonates with the ageless vigor of rock’n’roll, channels the unbridled might of Swedish kängpunk, and proudly sports the melodramatic embellishments for which their hometown’s death metal legacy is celebrated. The album’s towering soundscapes owe a nod to the genius of Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. His masterful touch ensures that every note, every beat of this “stadium crust” sounds not just epic, but colossal.

Lyrically, Fredag Den 13:e have always been adept at capturing the essence of the times. While their fourth album, Dystopisk Utsikt, unflinchingly targeted the rising specters of religion and fascism, highlighting the pervasive menace of global authoritarianism, their newest record dips into a different wound. The troubled year of 2020, marked by pandemics and global lockdowns, stirred unprecedented emotions and introspective chaos in many. The isolation, the psychological strain, and the heightened police state became the modern world’s haunting realities. Reacting to these constricting chains, Fredag Den 13:e channeled their observations, frustrations, and reflections into Mänskliga Gränstillstånd.

Standing defiantly against the swelling tides of repression and the omnipresent eyes watching our every move, the band’s best album to date is not just a product of its time, it’s a reaction to it. Crafting each track as a resonating echo of societal discontent, Mänskliga Gränstillstånd boldly proclaims itself as a dark anthem for a world teetering on the brink, guiding listeners through the darkness and suggesting that even in the face of adversity, resistance and unity are possible." - Mittens XVX / DIY Conspiracy