Swedish medieval metal outfit, Apocalypse Orchestra, has signed with Sweden's fastest growing label, Despotz Records. The sextet, who hail from the Baltic Sea region, and utilize non traditional instruments such as lutes, bagpipes, the mandola and even the hurdy gurdy, have one leg entrenched in medieval times and the other firmly in modern metal.

Apocalypse Orchestra was formed by mult-instrumentalists Mikael (vocals, guitars, mandola, lute and cittern) and Erik (hurdy gurdy, mandola, bagpipes, backing vocals) who developed a bond over their mutual love of the unlikely combination of folk music and doom metal.  With a foundation of original music and lyrics the duo also decided to incorporate melodies stemming from as far back as the 11th century, the goal was to create a musical homage to a long gone era.

The songs tell stories of plagues, of hell and the senseless acts of war and suffering, all while weaving a romantic era thread combined with the crushing modern metal mentality that only Apocalypse Orchestra can deliver.  

The band says, "We are very happy to commence this cooperation with Despotz Records, It feels like the next logical step for us today. Despotz have shown that they understand the band and our music and have shown complete confidence in us."  

Apocalypse Orchestra have begun recording their debut album in various castles across the Swedish countryside and expect the album to see a release later in 2016. The band have uploaded a live clip that can be viewed below.

Despotz Records' Omer Akay says, "Apocalypse Orchestra is Sweden's 'Best Kept Secret' and we couldn't be prouder than to have them with Despotz."