SOURCE – So, you guys have a new album coming up titled Siren Charms, and it’s one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Can you talk about the direction of the album, what you were trying to achieve and how the process was for it?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – I think the whole vibe and direction was coming from surroundings and what we have seen and experienced on the last touring cycle and the fact that we were using the famous Hansa Studios for the recording of this album which gave the whole album it’s shade and color and let’s not forget about the actual fact that we were in Berlin, this town that holds so much history and the whole club scene it self is amazing! So we kind of did go from there and went on with the music that Björn had written and the whole band was arrange and contributed to the music while Anders was working hard with getting the lyrics, vocals right to blend it all together which ended up really good!
SOURCE – How does Siren Charms differ from your previous albums, how is it similar?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – This album is maybe more calm and with a diversity that we never had dealt with before more than in pieces in songs on previous albums BUT without loosing the metal touch or loosing any hard edges. The choruses are even bigger than before and the atmosphere is huge so I feel that we have taken a step further and are on the move into something new and groundbreaking! To some maybe it will take some time to digest the album but I feel it’s an album you can pick up anytime and you will find something new every time which makes it so Interesting.
SOURCE – So could you explain what this album is about lyrically?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – I’m not the one to speak to about the lyrics to the album… But I do now it’s about evil vices as a siren that charms the old sailor back in time to sell or leave their life behind for the Siren Charms which were lurking behind a beautiful face or promises of eternal life but it all ended up in a life of heavy vices of course…
SOURCE – So, as you said, you have 11 albums (or, soon will have) and each of them has a lot of iconic songs. How do you make a setlist from that? It must be difficult balancing the old and the new.
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – That’s a never ending theme so to speak but we have learnt along the way and are really keen on making a great set of songs that will please everybody and our selves and we do really work hard on getting it right but you can’t satisfy everyone but we really do try hard, believe me!
SOURCE – Speaking of twenty years, you’ve been doing this for so long now, and you have a family now. How do you balance your tour life and your ‘real’ life?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – When I’m home I do spend almost all my time with my family and kids and are really keen on my privacy and time with my family and we all are… I’m always in contact with my family everyday even thou we maybe touring in Asia so Skype is fantastic. It’s important to us all!
SOURCE – So, you guys are one of the original bands from the Gothenburg scene, and many of those bands from that era have moved on or changed sounds while you guys have remained more or less ‘true’ to your sound. Yet all of the bands remain very influential still. What are your thoughts on the scene?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – I think it’s still healthy and new bands and genres are making moves on all territories which makes Gothenburg so special and it’s always been that way I guess so maybe theres a tradition in Gothenburg to breed new talented bands/artists… and YES there’s something in the water.
SOURCE – Do you ever think about In Flame’s influence and importance to heavy metal?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – No, not really. I don’t think in those terms of course we get noticed and reminded of that but it’s not something I’m thinking of really maybe I’m in the middle of all this and not really have the time or should even try to think in those terms but I do understand cus’ I feel the same way for Motörhead or King Diamond!
SOURCE – Is the current metal scene still strong in Sweden, or has it been surpassed by some other Scandinavian countries?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – As I wrote I think that Gothenburg is still something to count on and got really good bands/artists that making moves all around the globe or are beginning their journey!
SOURCE – Any chance of a Brazilian tour?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – I would love to get back to Brazil ASAP, so hopefully on this touring cycle we will enter you country of metal, can’t forget the singing crowd!
SOURCE – That would be all for this time, thank you for the interview, and I wish you all the best! Your last message to fans over here?
Niclas Engelin (Guitar) – Check out our new album Siren Charms and lend a ear to Engel as well!
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