In 2021, my good friend Jacob (Children of the Sun guitarist/songwriter) told me about this killer band I needed to check out called NEPHILA. He may have been a little biased since he is also in this band. I gave them a listen, and good Gawd was almighty. What a powerful sound. I was hearing pure fire, energy, and drive. I was happy about what I heard, but after watching NEPHILA’s performance at this year’s Sweden Rock festival, Jeez, how do I say this? Ok, fuck it. NEPHILA IS MY CURRENT FAVORITE BAND!!!
I tend to set the bar pretty high for bands that I love. Watching NEPHILA’s NEPHILA (comprised of Linn Edlund-Vocals, Josephine Asker- Vocals, Jacob Hellenrud- Guitar, Anton Athley- Guitar, Johan Larsson- Electric organ & piano, Charlie Andersson Wistbacka- Bass) performance had them not just reaching the bar. They also grabbed that bar and fucking slayed with it. Everything about this show was unbelievable. Musically, NEPHILA was stellar, but their live presence packed with unbridled face-rocking energy took it all completely over the top. Very few times have I ever seen a show on YOUTUBE of all places and wished I could jump through the fucking screen and be there up front.
Linn and Josephine’s vocals were stratospheric. The idea of a band with two singers paints two different scenarios. Either itāll be bad ass or itāll be a hot fucking mess. Linn and Josephine pull it off effortlessly. They play off each otherās energy, and their onstage chemistry is insane. They connect so well with each other, yet they each are singing their parts in their own world. As corny as it may sound, they become the song.
The band is undoubtedly the backbone of this band. Linn and Josephine are so fucking good that you need to be one of the best bands around to do them justice and this band does that and so much more. The musicianship is so tight, and each member displays energy that only comes from becoming the song. These guys feel each chord, each lead, each psychedelic sound effect, and it shows. This is a contagious kind of energy that every audience should get to experience from a band.
Have you ever seen/heard a band before that made you say, āThis band should be fucking huge?ā I will die on the hill of saying this about Nephila. How is this band not huge? Even after just one album and a few years under their belt, they are performing like Arena/Festival headliners. I pity any band that has to follow a Nephila performance because anything else would be a downer. I’d better start saving my allowances to travel to Sweden and be front and center for a Nephila concert.
Check out footage from the show as well as their new songs down below!Ā You’re welcome.
NEPHILA Setlist
May 10, 2025
Sweden Rock Festival
Intro: Capercaillieās Hymn
In Her Hands
Clavata
The Hidden Folk
Alla Galaxers Centrum
Living Grave
White Bones
Solar Eclipse
Huldra
Ash Their Bones
F.I.N.N
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