Sacramentum , one of the pioneering names in Swedish blackened death metal, confirmed last Monday, the 25th, the passing of its vocalist and founding member, Nisse Karlén . The musician took his own life after a long and difficult battle with mental health issues.
In an official statement published on social media, the band shared the tragic news with fans and friends.
"With deep sadness, we share the news that our dear friend, band member, and one of the founders of Sacramentum, Nisse Karlén, has passed away. He chose to leave this world due to struggles with mental health," the band stated.
The statement continues, with a request for respect during this delicate time: “At this time, we kindly ask for privacy for her family, friends, and bandmates as we deal with this loss. Thank you for everything, Nisse. You will always be with us. Suicide should never be glorified.”
Nisse Karlén's Legacy in Extreme Metal
Originally formed as Tumulus in 1990 in the city of Falköping, Sacramentum quickly stood out in the European underground scene for its atmospheric and melodic approach to extreme metal. Nisse Karlén , who started on guitar before taking up bass and vocals, was a key figure in the band's sonic direction during its early years.
His contribution was immortalized on his debut album, Far Away from the Sun , released in 1996 and now considered a landmark and an essential work of melodic black metal.
Throughout their career, Sacramentum has released three studio albums: Far Away From The Sun , The Coming Of Chaos , and Thy Black Destiny . They are also frequently mentioned alongside giants like Dissection due to their dark, melodic, and simultaneously aggressive sound. The band's influence can be heard in countless extreme metal bands today, from Europe to North America.
In recent years, the band had returned to the stage for some festival performances and to release reissues of their classic works, thus reaffirming their legacy as one of the most revered names in Swedish metal.
READ ALSO: Hugo Mariutti explores post-punk in the single “Out Of Time (You Don't Know)”