In the midst of August (2003) drummer Joel Axelsson (Dead Colony) wanted to play more than he already did, and he wanted to play faster, and more aggressive. He formed what was at this time named 13th Asylum. After some jamming sessions Fredrik Lundell (also Dead Colony) joined him as lead guitarist and on vocals.
Fredrik started putting together some vital guitar-riffs. Joel Started to write some material and some new more rough lyrics for the project, and some serious talks of the bands image and future was put into context. Their first song ever was created and entitled Shadows.
The band now entered a new phase in the middle of September (2003) when rhythm guitarist Michael Nasenius showed up at one of Asyliums rehearsals. He wanted to play along and was taught Shadows. Michael was showing up at all the rehearsals from then on, and was more or less considered as their rhythm guitarist.
Joel and Fredrik repeatedly jammed and wrote material for their band and taught Michael thereafter. After some brief chats it came to be known that there already existed a 13th Asylum and they changed their name to Asylium! After have written material for several months now, Asylium entered Studio Balance in v.Skedvi in January 4th and recorded their first demo, self titled and containing 3 tracks, "My Song", "Shadows" and "Everything is Dead". The sound was kind of "one-way-going" and it seemed to lack of something, but became quite popular among the few in the area who listened to metal.
In February (2004) a new member of the Asylium crew was found. Mikaela Åkesson was recruited on bass to make Asylium sound heavier and more brutal on stage. After Joel and Fredrik taught Michael and Mikaela their songs and how to play them they went on stage for the first time with Asylium, live in Norberg (Sweden).
After appearing on some more stages doing some more shows, Asylium decided that they wanted to be even more aggressive, and not only by increasing the speed. Asylium decided to recruit one more member, someone vital to the concept of being aggressive, Asylium recruited singer Andreas (Runis) Runfors on vocals in late August (2004). As said before, he has the ability to sound like a machine dozing the battlefield. After doing a few shows with Runis on the vocals, the crowd looked pleased, and we decided to keep him!
Asylium entered the Studio Balance once more on September 28th (2004) to record yet another demo. The demo now contained more aggressive songs, and an intro made by Rickard Hammarström and Joel Axelsson. Two songs were put on the demo, "The Reaper" and "The Shepard and His Lamb".
Some good reviews came from the demo, and the band was for the first time offered a record deal with a production company in Hong Kong. Asylium turned the deal down, they realized that what they had was not enough, and they were not prepared for such a huge thing for the band at that time. After the deal they were also offered a small deal (not binding) to go on for a week to tour Germany, but this too was a bit to rushed into Asylium figured and turned this deal down as well.
Now (2005) after doing some shows around in Sweden, preparing for their third demo, writing more songs and more brutal material, Michael Nasenius decided to call it quits. He said that the band had taken a turn for the worse and that he wanted to play some more of the old school type of Metal. He left the band and pursued his dreams with other bands. Asylium said that they could function without him since he didn’t write any material, and therefore did not contribute to the band. Some shows were done without him and they kept on going.
In March of 2006 Asylium once again entered the studio to record their third demo. Now with the line-up reduced to only four members. The demo turned out to be a huge success. The sound was really something, and they had the most aggressive playing ever by anyone. Although they in some situations were refered to as sounding a bit like old-timers Mayhem, at least the inspiration had to come from there, they stated. Reviews was great and all seemed fine. The demo although was never sent out, or in any way distributed, unless it was to a magazine, or webzine.
In early 2007, a new member was found to replace what Michael had left behind. Viktor Willhelmsson, a local promising guy with a huge selection of one-man-projects, was put on the second guitar. He contributes in all ways and is now considered a part of the Asylium army. Soon after the last show of early 2007 Asylium was almost put on ice, and there seemed to be happening almost nothing, and this was nrealy true but..
Now (2008) Asylium has taken a new course, trying to come back, with new songs, a great line-up and a huge inspiration to the band. The first show for almost a year was done at local pub Ögir, and it was “sold out”. With this new aggressive playing and great backup from everybody in the band, Asylium is sure to stay. A album is being planned and is most likely to be recorded in the late summer or autumn of 2008…
Unfortunatly, Viktor, due to depression and lacking the right motivation he deicides to leave the band in pre-summer of 2008, but will be promoting in all ways he can. He said that he wants to put the guitar on the shelf for some while. Viktor will still be a part of the Asylium army, but will not be a solid member from now on. Asylium now, in search for a new member on guitar..
