David Sodergren has quickly become one of horror’s most unapologetically bold voices, earning a loyal, cult-like following with a string of blood-soaked hits. Fans of favorites such as The Haar, Maggie’s Grave, and Satan’s Burnouts Must Die know exactly what they’re in for: cinematic chaos, grotesque imagery, and stories that blur the line between supernatural dread and grindhouse brutality. But Sodergren isn’t just about shock value—beneath the carnage, there’s a surprising depth to his characters and narratives that adds an unexpected layer of poignancy
That said, with his latest release, Death Spell (published May 1st), Sodergren is taking that signature blend of grue and mayhem into even darker, more unforgiving territory.
Death Spell centers around Ron Jarvis, a ruthless media mogul whose empire was forged through a blood-soaked pact made twenty-five years earlier. But when his adult daughter begins to suffer horrifying consequences tied to this very pact, Jarvis is forced to confront the terrifying reality of the deal he thought was long buried. What follows is a harrowing tale of occult rituals, brutal violence, and reality-bending black magic.
To mark the release of Death Spell, we sat down with David Sodergren for an exclusive interview in which he reveals what he thinks makes this his most unrelenting work yet – despite the already extreme territory he’s explored in his previous novels. He also shares the dark influences and unsettling themes that shaped the novel before teasing the next sub-genre he intends to twist and redefine next.
