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| w/DANIEL SVENSSON |
| Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Can you tell me what kind of an approach In Flames took when recording and writing for Sound Track to Your Escape that differs from past releases? I ask because the band was quoted as saying that this release “was the most challenging, interesting way we have ever recorded an album and the sound that we achieved on this album can never be recreated 100%, this will be totally original.” Daniel Svensson: This time we didn’t record the album in a regular studio, except for the drums. They were recorded at the Dugout studios as on the previous record. But all other instruments was recorded in a big, big house that we rented in Denmark, where we built up two studios from scratch to get this unique sound. Also, the life around the recording in the studio is kind of boring, you just sit around waiting. So, we rented this big house and we brought friends and Ander’s brother who is a chef. He cooked food for us just to make the life a little bit more luxurious, to keep the spirit up. If you feel good, you do a better job if you know what I mean. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Sure, it sounded like a great set-up. The crisp production, as always, and well-performed structure of the music certainly stands out on this album. With that said, what main element do you find leads to this perfection besides being polished musicians? Daniel Svensson: I don’t know. It is really hard to say when you’re in the middle of it. On Reroute to Remain, we did the pre-production thing, where we rented a cottage in the countryside of Sweden for a week and it worked out pretty good. So, we took it further this time and we actually did it in Denmark as well, we rented a smaller house there for the recording session. But, there we were just the five of us with some recording equipment and with our instruments and we sat there for two weeks just jamming and we came up with ten out of the twelve songs in two weeks, just the five of us. Just having good times, drinking beers and playing. Because when your back home in the rehearsal room you have a lot of distractions. We have our families and we have babies and everything. We just wanted to go away and concentrate on the song writing 100% and that is the main thing. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: How long in the studio did it take to produce and press this album to your liking and looking back in retrospect, would there have been anything that you or the band would have changed now that it’s completed? Daniel Svensson: The recording of the drums took 1 ½ weeks and then we went to Denmark and I think we were at the house for six weeks approx., excluding mixing. Mixing we did at a studio in Belgium called Galaxy Studios, for a week as well. It is a really big studio. Bands like Rammstein have mixed their albums there. You can always look back and you can always be smart after you have the results. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Can you tell me about the significance behind the album title? Daniel Svensson: It’s pretty easy. It’s Ander’s that is writing all the lyrics and he comes up with different title ideas. Listen to this album and you will escape from your everyday problems. It just sounds like the pure escape. It’s basically how it is. It’s the same thing when we play live in front of people. We just want people to have fun for an hour and forget about everything else. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: The album in its entirety was truly exceptional. Off the cuff, a few favorites of mine were F(r)iend, Dead Alone and Like You Better Dead, just to name a few. What is the meaning behind these particular tracks and what inspires the band when writing the concepts and themes for your albums? Daniel Svensson: You mean musically or lyrically. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Both. Daniel Svensson: Musically, we really don’t sit down and discuss how were going to sound. That’s not the way we work. This time we wrote the songs in Denmark and all the pre-production sessions. We just hang around and we write riffs that pop up in our head. We never discuss. We write songs that’ll sound good and that we can stand behind and be proud of. We never discuss any themes or anything like that. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Ok and what are the meanings behind these particular tracks, like F(r)iend? Daniel Svensson: Lyrically, I do not know. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Oh, ok! (Laughs) Daniel Svensson: All these questions we get we can only refer to Ander’s. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Well, see that is who I thought I would be interviewing. (Laughs) Daniel Svensson: Yeah I know. The lyrics are basically, very personal from within ourselves, very dark at times. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I’m sorry. I actually conducted these questions for Ander’s so I apologize. Daniel Svensson: No, I’m sorry! (Laughs) Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Musically In Flames has always been the kind of band with a lot of diversity, with this new release being no exception. I like the balance that the band has between the intensity and the aggression but with an emphasis on melody. How difficult is it to find that balance? Daniel Svensson: It’s not what we think about as I said. We are a melodic band and we write melodic riffs. It’s in our veins somehow. We will always speak for the melody somehow. Although, some people say that Reroute to Remain and Sound Track to Your Escape isn’t that melodic as maybe Colony and Clayman. I mean the melodies are there but they may be transferred from the guitars to the vocals or the electronics or whatever but it’s still very melodic. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Actually Ander’s has been quoted as saying but I’m sure the whole band feels this way, “we would never do the same album over and over again”. With that said, how do you feel that the band continues to evolve while still maintaining the “In Flames” overall sound? Daniel Svensson: Now when we just release a new album you think, “How the hell are we going do a new album that sounds different and still going to be really good”. But, now were going to tour for at least a year and going to take some time off and clear our minds. During these tours, we meet a lot of new people and a lot of new bands and we get so much influence and stuff that will inspire us so it’s never a problem when we sit down and start to write new songs, it just comes automatically. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Touring for the new album begins April 16th in Europe and then follows with a string of dates in the US. What can the fans expect on this tour and I see you have As I Lay Dying for support on the US Dates, another good band? Daniel Svensson: People can expect a really intense live show as always. We’re going to do a co-headline tour with Killswitch Engage this time. It’s going be a mix of the new and old songs and we will try to come up with some cool stage effects, we have not really decided yet. We will try to do something extra. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: With all the touring and over 10 albums under your belt, how far has In Flames surpassed your original dreams and what would you say is the most rewarding part of being in the band? Daniel Svensson: The most rewarding part is I’m so grateful that I can travel around the world and perform in front of people that like the music we make but I can still make a living on it. So my goals are more or less achieved and I think I can talk for everyone when I say that. We will be grateful if we can continue to do this for a couple years. We don’t want to sell ten million albums, it’s not necessary. As long as some people like our music and we can continue to travel around the world and play in front of them, we will be happy. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: How far has In Flames surpassed your original dreams before you were signed? Daniel Svensson: I wasn’t in the band back then. I joined in ’98. But, already since then we have taking a big leap since ’98. We are far beyond those goals I would say. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: A while back, there was some discussion regarding a possible DVD release and then the idea was shelved. Will this DVD ever make it to fruition and if so, when do you foresee its release? I’m sure your fans would love it! Daniel Svensson: Yeah, we will try to release a DVD but we want to do something special as always. We don’t want to release just a live DVD from somewhere. We want to do it good. We want to do something really special. I can promise within two years, we will have released a DVD. We’ll try to include some backstage footage, that’s the really fun part. I can’t promise anything but we’re definitely going to release a DVD soon. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I always ask this next question with the bands when I first interview with them. Being that you’ve toured extensively, are there any tour stories good or bad that you’d care to share with your fans and what bands did you find to be the best and worst to have shared the stage with and why? Daniel Svensson: Ooh… Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Pretty good question, huh? I’m good! (Laughs) But I’m sure your fans would like to hear some of this stuff. Daniel Svensson: (Laughs) Of course they would. We’re overwhelmed by positive memories so you forget the bad ones really quick. But, when you cross the border to Canada, it’s always a big hassle. It’s always really bad. You sit there for hours just waiting and stuff like that. We also did an emergency landing when we flew home from the states to Newfoundland in Canada, which was really scary. When it comes to favorite bands, we’ve toured with really good bands and good friends. Like Soilwork and Nevermore and also Killswitch who were touring with again. Great bands! Most of the bands are really excellent. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: What about the worst or you care not to say? (Laughs) Daniel Svensson: It’s not about the band, it’s about a guy and I think you know his name. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I know his name? Let me think… Daniel Svensson: It is an American band. The other guy’s are really cool. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: You want to name it? (Laughs) Daniel Svensson: Yeah, I can do it. “Jon Schaffer”. But, the other guys are really nice. But, he was kind of disturbing. Otherwise, we usually do not have problems with other bands. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: What about good tour stories? Daniel Svensson: It’s hard to think. We have so many good stories. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Yeah, well you guys have been around forever now. Well, that was basically my last question. I appreciate you taking the time out for the interview. The work on Sound Track to Your Escape was truly outstanding. With that said, do you have any final words for The Metal Web!? Daniel Svensson: We will see guys on tour pretty soon and try to rip it up for you! Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I actually will be covering the NY show when you guys come out. Daniel Svensson: Cool, Great! I think it’s the last show on the tour. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Yeah, June 1st and its a couple days before my birthday so you guys have to yell out “Happy Birthday”, if I’m covering the show. (Laughs) I will have to set that up. Daniel Svensson: That would be great! Cool! Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Well that concludes the interview. Tell Ander’s I said hello. OFFICIAL SITE "IN FLAMES": http://www.inflames.com HOME |
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