| This essential slab of old-school Swedish death metal is back in a strictly limited edition of 500 copies—200 on black vinyl, 150 on violet/baby blue swirl, and 150 on purple/cyan blue swirl vinyl.
Utumno’s long-out-of-print 1993 cult masterpiece Across the Horizon, paired with the crushing The Light of Day EP, is finally available again. Featuring members of God Macabre, Macabre End, and Abhoth, this reissue stays true to the original 1993 release, meticulously recreating its old-school aesthetic—including period-accurate typography—while adding exclusive liner notes by Jonas Stålhammar.
Sweden's early ‘90s death metal scene was bursting with creativity, and Utumno stands as one of the genre’s most overlooked gems. With only two releases—The Light of Day EP (1991) and Across the Horizon (1993)—the band managed to carve out a distinct identity, blending aggression with technical finesse and a sense of melody that set them apart from their peers.
The Light of Day – A Fierce Debut with Raw Potential
Utumno’s debut EP, The Light of Day, may not have had the name recognition of their contemporaries, but it delivered a strikingly well-crafted take on Swedish death metal. The production is rough, but rather than hindering the experience, it adds a certain primal charm. The band’s ability to seamlessly transition between tempos keeps the energy high, making each track dynamic and unpredictable.
"In Misery I Dwell" is particularly memorable, featuring haunting melodies and razor-sharp riffing reminiscent of Afflicted. The lead work is unmistakably rooted in the Sunlight Studios sound—buzzing, powerful, and drenched in the unmistakable tone that defined the era. While some bands in the Swedish scene leaned more toward relentless brutality, Utumno balanced technicality with melody, ensuring their music remained engaging rather than overwhelming.
While the original cover art—featuring an unsettling sun with an almost deranged expression—might raise a few eyebrows, the music itself leaves no doubt that Utumno was on a promising trajectory.
Across the Horizon – A Forgotten Masterpiece
Two years later, Utumno returned with Across the Horizon, a release that refined their sound without losing its raw intensity. Unlike many Swedish death metal bands that followed the more traditional path of chainsaw riffing and d-beat aggression, Utumno’s approach leaned towards the melancholic and atmospheric, reminiscent of bands like Gorement and Desultory.
The title track, "Across the Horizon," is a whirlwind of intricate riffs and eerie melodies, shifting from pummeling aggression to somber, doomy passages with remarkable fluidity. Jonas Stålhammar’s vocals cut through the dense instrumentation with a powerful rasp, adding to the EP’s ominous atmosphere. "Sunrise" builds tension with its chilling introduction before erupting into a series of melodic yet crushing guitar lines, while "Saviour Reborn" expertly blends Entombed-style brutality with moments of eerie, Morbid Angel-esque tremolo riffing.
At just under half an hour, Across the Horizon defies the limitations of an EP—each track feels fully developed, packed with ideas, and executed with precision. The production, courtesy of Tomas Skogsberg at Sunlight Studios, is near-perfect, offering a balance of clarity and grit that allows every instrument to breathe.
A Legacy Worth Rediscovering
Sadly, Utumno never got the chance to expand on this foundation, as their label, Cenotaph Records, folded shortly after Across the Horizon was released. As a result, these two releases have remained somewhat obscure compared to the output of their Swedish peers. However, their music endures as a prime example of death metal that wasn’t afraid to experiment, combining technicality, melody, and sheer power into something truly special.
For fans of early ‘90s Swedish death metal, Utumno’s brief but brilliant career is essential listening. Rather than chasing the next wave of bands recycling the Entombed formula, it’s worth digging into the past and rediscovering The Light of Day and Across the Horizon—two forgotten classics that still stand tall in the pantheon of Swedish death metal.
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