Nine Orders Releases “Ex-Imperium”, Their First Album |

Progressive Metal From Sweden

Finding good music these days is almost impossible, and the task is even more difficult if we are looking for something made with passion, well thought out, and in pursuit of perfection.
We can find a little of that, and much more, in Nine Orders, a new project from Sweden that brings us a progressive metal sound. On March 13 of this year, they will release their first official album, titled “Ex-Imperium,” a true catalog of interesting melodies and riffs that deserve our attention.

Calling them a new band is a bit of a stretch. Nine Orders has actually been around for a few years, but it is only in 2026 that they will release their first official album, which will initially be published in digital format and independently. The album is full of riffs and groovy rhythms, and harmonies that encompass the melancholic and the dramatic. Their sound is as forceful as it is delicate.
With melodies carried by wide-ranging clean vocals, they bring a 90s progressive sound into new territory rather than blending with extreme metal, as many progressive metal bands do today. Often adding a hint of darker moods, there are some similarities to pioneers like Fates Warning and even their Swedish compatriots Opeth, who perhaps most famously carry the banner for dark and technical progressive music today.

What characterises Nine Orders is that each song carries its own distinct mood and tone, setting it apart from the others and turning the listening experience into an exploration that continually captures the listener’s attention. The lyrics further deepen this experience, drawing the listener into stories of the allure and sorrow of destructive behaviour, the struggle to break vicious cycles, and ultimately the release that comes from shedding the confines of one’s own skin and seeking meaning beyond the material.
Although a new act, the personnel consist of seasoned musicians. Conservatory-educated drummer John Bergstrand is known for playing with several bands and artists (A Secret River, Nejra), and so is bass player Magnus Sjöquist (Jojje Wadenius, Meadows), who re-cently gained further notoriety by earning first place in a .Strandberg* bass competition. Writing for Nine Orders, however, is done by Joel Rasmussen, a university researcher for whom the guitar and music production are a midlife rediscovery. Johannes Häger (Street-light, Bullock Hearts) joined Nine Orders as a session vocalist, while also handling mixing and mastering at Loud Noise Studios.
Where Nine Orders ends up is anyone’s guess. The near future holds a lot of opportunity, though, with the release of the full-length album Ex Imperium following several strong singles. For future live performances and further studio work, Nine Orders is also bringing Fredrik Bergstrand (Elusive End) on board as vocalist.

Thanks to the kindness of the guys from Nine Orders, we were able to hear a preview of “Ex-Imperium” before its official release, and what we found is a kind of progressive metal that focuses on different melodies, harmonies, and riffs, all in a kind of melancholic atmosphere charged with different feelings. From their first track, “St. Thomas’ Gate,” Nine Orders takes us on an introspective journey, at a moderate pace and with intricate riffs. There is a clear influence of classical and orchestral music in its construction. The variety of sounds and styles is a constant in “Ex-Imperium,” and if not, keep an eye out for “Vortex Of Victory,” one of the best moments on the album.
“Man-Made Order” is another interesting track. Built on an almost hypnotic, groovy, and constant riff, to which we can add a kind of drum solo at the end that reflects some of the complexity of the compositions that Nine Orders proposes on this album. The melancholic, melodic, and special for a cold and gray rainy day can be found in “Ghost Of Me,” a kind of intriguing ballad.
“The Vast Forgotten” is an extensive display of riffs and guitar solos that embellish a piece that leans towards the classic sound of progressive and introspective metal. We can hear something similar in “1060 Days,” but in a much calmer whole and with an impressive guitar solo in between.
Finally, we have “A Creature,” one of the singles Nine Orders released as a preview of this album, which somehow sums up everything the band stands for and is clearly one of their calling cards.

Nine Orders revives the classic sound of progressive metal, using melody and strong, constant riffs as the basis for constructing well-thought-out, introspective songs. Nine Orders’ greatest virtue lies not only in their versatility but also in their virtuosity, both in terms of composition and performance. There is a lot of music here, and it’s good music. To that we must add a truly overwhelming sound production.
Incidentally, we can tell you that Nine Orders will make their live debut at the Light The Dark festival, to be held in Norrköping, Sweden, on March 20 and 21, 2026, almost coinciding with the release of “Ex-Imperium,” their first official album.

So you can see what we’re talking about, here’s the latest single released by Nine Orders, “Vortex Of Victory,” from this new album, and of course, here are their social media links so you can find and follow them…

https://www.facebook.com/NineOrders

https://www.instagram.com/nine_orders