THE BEAST

Swedish thrash metal force Methane has officially welcomed Richard "Owlheade" Fredriksson as their full-time drummer, solidifying a powerful addition to their ever-evolving lineup. After turning heads with his relentless precision and punishing performance style during the band's 2023 European tour alongside US death metal legends Massacre , Richard is now locked in behind the kit as Methane’s eighth drummer—adding a touch of Spinal Tap-style humor to the band's ferocious momentum.

Fredriksson's path to joining Methane was forged through shared stages and mutual respect. Initially introduced to the band during a gig where his former act Flamedriven opened for Methane, Richard quickly established a connection with members Tim , Jimi , and Markus . His previous work with Arsenite and Flamedriven showcased his command of Swedish thrash and groove metal, making him a natural fit for Methane’s aggressive yet dynamic style.

Now fully integrated, Richard is deep in the studio working on Methane's highly anticipated third album . Early reports hint at a darker, faster, and even more brutal crossover evolution of the band's signature sound—one that is sure to energize longtime fans and attract new followers in the global metal community.

Methane is known not only for their crushing riffs and no-holds-barred live shows but also for their irreverent sense of humor, proudly acknowledging the revolving-door drumming legacy that has now culminated with “Owlheade” behind the kit. The band’s chemistry and commitment to delivering unrelenting thrash metal are stronger than ever.

Fans will get their first live taste of the new lineup this May , as Methane gears up for a series of live assaults across Sweden, supporting heavyweights F.K.Ü. and Mezzrow on the following dates:

May 10 – Örnsköldsvik, SE – Musikhuset

May 16 – Jönköping, SE – Klubb Dissonans

May 17 – Sandviken, SE – Kungen

May 23 – Mora, SE – Lilla Helfvetet

The chaos doesn’t stop there. Methane is locked in for a blistering summer of festival appearances:

May 24 – Mangelfest , Stockholm, SE

July 4 – Metal Mayhem , Mariehamn, FI

July 5 – Bomberfest , Motala, SE

August 23 – Rockwälln , Dala Floda, SE

As the band prepares to thrash stages and churn out their most extreme material yet, the addition of Richard “Owlheade” Fredriksson marks a new era for Methane—fueled by experience, intensity, and the unrelenting spirit of Swedish metal.

Stay tuned, stay loud, and prepare for a summer of shred with Methane.

Follow the band at these links:

http://www.facebook.com/methaneband
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIut2PuGrMi3QP-ywnVw-aA
https://www.instagram.com/methanemetal
http://methane.bandcamp.com/
http://methanemetal.wordpress.com/