Interviews : Scar Symmetry (Henrik Ohlsson) – 07/07/2008

Metal Obsession: Greetings Henrik Ohlsson , thanks for taking the time to speak with us at Metal Obsession.

Henrik Ohlsson: No problem, it`s a pleasure.

MO: Would you like to make a short introduction of the band for the metal audiences who are not too familiar with Scar Symmetry.

H: We started as a band in 2004 and we basically met up in Jonas´ (rhythm/lead guitar) recording studio called Black Lounge. Jonas sort of hand-picked us one by one while we were recording with other bands. He asked me, for example, if I wanted to form Scar Symmetry with him when I was recording with my other band Altered Aeon. And I said “sure” and we went on from there. With me (Henrik) on drums and Jonas on guitar we added Per as a second guitarist and then Jonas brought in Kenneth on bass. After that Christian contacted Jonas and wanted to be the vocalist. We listened to some demos that Christian had done and thought: “hell yeah, he`s our man!”. In April 2004 we recorded a demo called “Seeds of rebellion” and then we signed to Cold records who released the first album, “Symmetric in Design”, in 2005. We did a few shows in support of that album and then we went from Cold records to join with Nuclear Blast, thus leaving Cold records to sign a deal with Nuclear Blast instead. The second album “Pitch black progress” was released in 2006 and we immediately started touring in support of that album, we did two European tours and two U.S-tours plus a number of festivals in the last two years. After that we started recording the third album, “Holographic Universe”, which was released recently.

MO: Congratulations on the success of the new album “Holographic Universe”, which is avaliable through Nuclear Blast Records. How was the writing process of this album compared to previous releases from Scar Symmetry?

H: We didn`t really change anything regarding the writing process, we pretty much did it the same way we`ve always done it. But one big difference was the fact that we had toured a lot before we entered the studio to record “Holographic Universe”. When we recorded the previous albums we hadn`t toured at all. So we`re a tighter unit nowadays and more secure as a band. Another difference is that it took two years between the previous album and this one which is a long time for us, we`re used to record an album per year. So because of this we had more songs than we usually have and we had to pick out the ones we wanted to record, in the past we`ve pretty much recorded all the material we have at the time.

MO: The band have established themselves pretty quickly in the metal world with previous releases such as “Symmetric in Design” and “Pitch Black Progress”. How would you compare the new album to your previous releases, and would you consider it to be the bands best work thus far?

H: It is our best work so far, no doubt about it. We`ve evolved a lot as a band and as individual musicians since we formed the band. This album is perhaps a little bit more melodic but at the same time it`s more progressive so we haven`t gone mainstream or anything. The production on this album is more organic compared to the previous one which was a little colder and more mechanical sounding. But that coldness fit the lyrical concept on “Pitch black progress” and the more organic feel fits the lyrical concept on “Holographic Universe”, production and lyrical themes sort of go hand in hand.

MO: What was the inspiration behind the new album, and is there a message that you and the band are trying to spread to the metal masses through the new album?

H: Musically we were inspired by 80s heavy metal and progressive music. And of course death metal. The death metal influence is always there no matter what because that`s where we come from having played death metal since the early 90s, you know. We`re more inspired by genres as a whole rather than specific bands. The message…well, I`ll get back to the message and the lyrics when I answer your next question!

MO: The new album seems to follow a similar thematic/lyrical idea as your past work. The somewhat science-fiction styled theme isn’t exactly one of the more common ideas in metal. Can you give us a bit of an insight into the lyrics on the new album and who or what influences your lyrics?

H: The concept behind the album-title is pretty complicated but it deals with the connection between quantum physics and Eastern philosophy. The basic message is that new science is coming to the same conclusions that philosophers discovered thousands of years ago, there is no matter as such- there is only energy! The story-line is sort of a continuation of the theme from “Pitch black progress” too, because on the previous album the population of the world were enslaved by a world government who monitored our thoughts and actions. On “Holographic Universe” the earth`s population has realized that we don`t have to buy into the world government`s agenda, we can choose to think and do whatever we want. And all that we see vividly in our minds has the potential to manifest, whatever it is that we choose to visualize.

The common worldview states that the universe is mechanical, a more or less dead entity. But the worldview that goes with the title “holographic universe” is quite the opposite. The universe in this case is a living thing, a playground where we can experience being human and interact with a physical reality thanks to our physical “space-suites” or bodies if you will. It is a creation where intent and thought rules supreme and matter follows the instructions of the will. The universe is structured like a hologram where every little piece of it contains the whole, you cannot separate anyone or anything from the rest. It is all one. And when you see things that way, TRULY see it that way, then you interact with your world in a totally different way. A better way, if you ask me. I want to share that alternative worldview with the rest of the world and therefore I built the album-concept around it. The inspiration for it came from quantum physics and Eastern philosophy.

MO: Which bands would you say have influenced Scar Symmetry’s sound and style the most?

H: Well, as I said earlier we`re more inspired by genres as a whole rather than specific bands. But to name something I`d say that we`ve gone back to the stuff that we listened to when we grew up, for example bands like Judas Priest and the Scorpions. We`re also doing a lot of death metal stuff in the vein of what we did with our previous bands. And we have the progressive elements that sometimes touches upon the sound of Allan Holdsworth and Tribal Tech.

MO: Scar Symmetry have had numerous successful tours with such bands as Dark Tranquillity, Katatonia, Insomnium and The Haunted. Is there a band in particular that you have not toured with yet, that you or your fellow band mates would find a privilege to play alongside?

H: Probably Judas Priest. Or Arch Enemy. My personal wish would be KISS but I don`t think the others agree on that, ha ha.

MO: Has there been much discussion recently of a world tour for the release of the new album?

H: We`ve had offers for Europe and the U.S and I guess the other parts of the world will come along as we start supporting the album.

MO Would Scar Symmetry consider touring Australia in the near future?

H: We would definetly come if we got a good offer, no doubt about it!

MO: Do you or the band follow the Australian metal scene much, and do you have any favorite Australian bands?

H: Nah, I can`t say we know much about the Australian metal scene. But we all know about a band called AC/DC of course! And…well…Sadistik Execution?

MO: Finally, do you have any last words that you would like to share with your fans in Australia and around the world?

H: Keep an eye out for our new video! We recorded a few weeks ago in Helsinki, Finland, and it should be available soon. Cheers to all the Australian fans out there, your support is very appreciated!

MO: Thanks again for speaking with us at Metal Obsession, Henrik. We wish you the best of luck in the bands upcoming endeavors.

H: Thank you and good luck to you too!