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Swedish hard rock act Symphony of Sweden are back with a soul-stirring new single, “Novel of the Past” out now on all major streaming platforms. A heartfelt ballad steeped in memory and longing, the song invites listeners to pause and reflect on the fleeting nature of life.

Frontman Linus “Lee” Wester envisioned the track as a kind of personal time capsule, a dreamlike recollection of a life lived to the fullest. “I saw myself as a very old man, sitting by a fireplace, dreaming of the life I lived: crazy parties, girls, money problems… everything,” he shares. “Hopefully I’ll get to live a full life and experience a lot. That’s what inspired the song.”

Produced by Pontus “Evan” Hagberg, “Novel of the Past” leans into a more intimate side of the band’s signature cinematic rock sound. Originally conceived as a stripped-down piano-and-vocal track, the song evolved organically during the recording process. “We wanted to keep it very minimalistic,” Evan explains, “but of course, we couldn’t resist adding layers along the way.”

One of those additions (e.g.: the haunting la-la vocal section) became a surprising emotional high point. “At first I was skeptical about including a wordless part like that,” admits Evan, “but Lee insisted, and it turned out to be the icing on the cake. It gives the track this nostalgic, almost uplifting vibe.”

The single is accompanied by a sepia-toned official video filmed in an old Swedish house once home to generations of artists. “It was a magical place to shoot in,” Evan says. “It tied beautifully into the song’s themes: fading memories, the passage of time, and the stories we leave behind.”

“Novel of the Past” marks a tender new chapter in Symphony of Sweden’s journey. 

Whether it’s a turning point or simply a quiet breath between storms, this release showcases the band’s ever-evolving artistry. “That’s the beauty of music,” says Evan. “You never really know which song will take flight.”

stream on Spotify

About the band

Welcome to the musical world of Symphony Of Sweden!

Coming from the North of Sweden with winter and ice bears all over the place, the music is the other way around. Grand and epic with huge arrangements, the missing link between pop and metal – this is Symphony of Sweden! Add the powerful voice of Linus “Lee” Wester and the creative talent of Pontus “Evan” Hagberg you will have a concept that brings you on a journey from here to eternity.

Symphony Of Sweden is:
Pontus „Evan” Hagberg
Linus „Lee” Wester

Evan and Lee lived in the same small town up north in Sweden. Lee had his own little service point, betting shop, tobacco store nearby which also happened to be Evan’s local service point where he went to get his parcels. After saying hello to each other for a couple of years, there was one day Evan had a parcel to get – which obviously was music-related. They fell into conversation with each other, a few days later Evan invited Lee to his studio. Evan: „he had found one of my instrumental tracks on Youtube and sang it with a new melody on top and lyrics for me in the studio, right there when he just arrived! I was blown away, and a week later we had our first ever track produced and completed. As soon he sang his first two words in the studio I wanted to work with him!”

The band released their first album, Inner Demons in January 2021, and their second album, Saints Of Yesterday came out on the 3rd of February, 2022. The band’s latest material, Haunted was released on the 7th of February, 2024.

More information: https://symphonyofsweden.se/