Yeah, after quite some time with struggles on different levels it feels we are back with a strong album, a feeling of freshness within the band and, as you said, new label as well as new management, booking company etc… so this far, counting all the fantastic reviews, everything feels peachy ; ). Since we just started the collaboration with SPV the few things I’ve noticed so far is that their whole business is on another level than on Inside Out, everything seems more for real.

Well, since I have been in this band from the beginning and no one ever has been able to categorize us I have stopped to bother with why some people don’t like us and why some do.

However, I must say that the thing I am most proud of is just that we have an identity of our own and that is something I think every band strives for. It is worth more than anything I could think of. We are a plain metal band with a huge variety of influences, that’s why we sound the way we do.

Well, every album we make reflects back on the time in our lives we were living then. That, of course, influences everything from our music to our persona. The funny thing, or the most amusing thing, is that the ones who did not love the album had the urge to say that over and over again, screaming on top of their lungs. That amused me, that we, a shitty band from Sweden, were able to provoke people that much with an album. We, as a band, are very proud of MMA and we still today play A LOT of songs from it live and when that happens it’s not like people go “Hey, WTF is THIS???” It doesn’t sound like Evergrey at all, on the contrary, these are still songs that are among the most appreciated live. If we were to listen to all complaints and suggestions on how we should sound, more keys, more guitar-solos, less this and less that, then the music would not come from us, from our hearts, it would be a compromised band where we made music for the fans. We make music for ourselves first and foremost. We are just happy to have loads of loyal fans around the world that happen to enjoy us as much as we do, that is a great feeling, of course. And the strange thing is that MMA in many people’s eyes was a failure, but how do you measure success? Is it in sold albums, more touring, better benefits from up and coming record deals? If it is, MMA is the biggest success for us to date.

Same thing here, we write music inspired from our surroundings, our daily lives. And apparently this is how we felt then. Without the MMA album, Torn would never have sounded the way it does today. But I think the main differences is that there is a lot more “music” on this album, more passages of instrumental parts and some more technical elements as well. Things that people maybe have come to expect of us during the years.

That being said we might sound like Morbid Angel on the next album, I don’t have a clue as of now---

[Somehow I don’t think so, and certainly hope not].

No, it’s not a concept. The only concept behind it, in this case, it deals a lot with struggles and the fears of the human psyche. One word titles? I hadn’t even reflected on that before you asked me now, so no : ). A ballad, or whatever we should call it, will be on our albums if we have one written or if we feel the album needs one. This time it didn’t happen and I think the title cut is as close to a ballad as you will get on this album. It would be boring for us to have a ballad on every album, just because that is what people have come to expect of us.

We use Carina when, once again, there is a need for it. Same goes for guitar-solos and keys. Whatever the song needs to improve, we will put it in there. BUT, we won’t put it in there if it doesn’t fill a purpose. Guitar-solos should be there if you have something to say with them. Not just because – hey we are missing a guitar solo in this song, let’s make 32 more bars so that we can get it in there. With that being said, there’s a LOT of solos on this album. HAHAHAHAHAHAH…….

So far it has made us better, feels like a football [soccer] team, we exchange players for better ones when it’s needed. No, all jokes aside, this type of profession needs 100 % dedication and a lot of positive vibes to keep the band rolling. With some members the goals has not been there and with some they have just felt the urge to do something different.

For this album Jonas, the drummer, has written almost half the album together with me, Henrik has written some on his own and the same goes for me, so, I guess, it is very much a democracy with a strong determined captain.

No, that is one thing that will definitely stay intact, that is a trademark of Evergrey as much as my voice. We love to create landscapes of darkness with different instruments and melodies. On Torn there are so many details that you probably won’t hear them on the first couple of listens. Sounds that are on keys, but sound like guitars or something totally different.

Well, I think, or know, that he is very satisfied with being in a band where he enjoys the music. And we are certainly enjoying his playing, he is probably the best player I have heard, ever.

Of course, we are coming over, we want to and, of course, need to. We have done a tour with Arch Enemy there and one with In Flames, as well as the one you mentioned so not to go there now would be really stupid. Also, we will have our video premiere on MTV Headbangers Ball there so hopefully that gets something cooking : )

No day jobs, even though Henrik just bought a restaurant. Other than that we create music, I produced other bands up until recently, when I sold the studio ‘cause of lack of time. Besides that, me and Jonas write music for other artists, TV shows, everything that has music written over it we will do. We feel lucky.

Thanks