About the Band

Riffs Never Die: How Systimatik is Bringing Brother John’s Legacy to Life

In the world of metal, music is often more than just sound—it’s a brotherhood. For the band Systimatik, their upcoming release isn't just an EP; it’s a pact kept across time and a tribute to a friend whose creativity was silenced too soon.

The story of Systimatik begins decades ago, rooted in a friendship and a shared vision between then vocalist, Rune and a guitarist known as Brother John.

The Roots of the Riffs

Nearly 20 years ago, Rune and John began crafting a collection of metal tracks. John was the architect of the riffs, while Rune provided the lyrics and vocals. Alongside band member XXV, they eventually assembled enough material for an EP, but life—as it often does—delayed the release.

The world changed in 2017 when Brother John passed away, leaving behind a vault of unreleased scratch tracks and a silence that lasted for years.

"We've talked for years about coming out with this metal album, but then John passed," Rune reflects. "One day I picked up the guitar and started learning how to play. Two months later, we started recording."

From "Metalmorphosis" to "Slay"

The transition from vocalist to guitarist was fueled by a singular mission: to finish what John started. The first fruit of this labor is the single "Slay," a track that underwent its own evolution. Originally titled Metalmorphosis, the song remains a direct bridge to the past.

• The DNA: 90% of the song remains true to John’s original arrangements.

• The Evolution: Rune incorporated new ideas and a personal style to round out the modern sound.

• The Result: A track that honors the original songwriter while proving that these riffs were meant to be heard by the world.

Inside These Walls: The Road to 2026

Systimatik is currently hard at work in the studio. While "Slay" is complete, their second track, "Inside These Walls," is nearing the finish line.

The upcoming EP will feature 5 or 6 songs built upon Brother John’s original riffs, blended with updated material and original work from the current lineup. However, bringing a project of this magnitude to life involves more than just hitting "record."

The 2026 Timeline

Rune has set an ambitious goal for the release, balancing the technical demands of a modern metal launch:

• Target Release: March 2026 (with a likely window extending to May 2026).

• The Workload: Beyond the music, the band is managing mixing, photography, and the production of both music videos and lyric videos.

A Legacy Set in Stone

"We wouldn't have these songs if it wasn't for him," Rune says. It’s a sentiment that echoes through every distorted chord and drum beat. Systimatik isn’t just a band making a comeback; they are a vessel for a voice that refused to be forgotten.

As 2026 approaches, the metal community should prepare for an EP that is 20 years in the making—a testament to the fact that while people may pass on, the music remains immortal.