Hi! Would you quickly introduce your band to our readers? When was “Scar Symmetry” born? Who are the components of the band?
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 is just about to be released.

I heard you are recording a new album “Holographic Universe”: there is talk in detail?
Yeah, well, we started recording the album in December 2007 and finished it up in February 2008. The recording was done in Jonas´ studio Black Lounge and we had a great time creating the album! “Holographic Universe” is a diverse piece of art with everything from 80s heavy metal-influences to death metal to progressive music, all you need from metal packed into one album. And you will definitely recognize the band because we have kept the key ingredients of the Scar Symmetry-sound from the two first albums on “Holographic Universe”, but with this one we also break new ground in terms of being both catchy and progressive!

There are stylistic differences with the previous work “Pitch Black Progress”?
“Holographic Universe” has a more organic production while “Pitch black progress” has more of a cold, mechanical feel to it. The production of the previous album fit the lyrical concept at the time and the production of this album fits the current lyrical theme better, it's quite amazing how production and lyrical themes go together in Scar Symmetry. I think we managed to keep all the key ingredients of the first two albums but we also evolved a lot, adding even more progressive stuff and catchiness to our music. You still recognize the sound of the band cause we think it's important to maintain the identity of the band's sound, but we also want to try new stuff on every album instead of just doing the same things over and over again.

What do you expect from this new album?
We want to take the band one step further in every aspect, from our live performances to the popularity of the band. We want to take the band to the next level in every area.

What is the band that has a heavy influence on your style and what kind of music do you listen nowadays?
We all have different influences in the band, there is no particular band that has formed that has influenced us all on its own, if you know what I mean. We're heavily influenced by the whole 80s heavy metal-era- Scorpions, Judas Priest etc. But we're also into progressive music like Allan Holdsworth, Tribal Tech and that kind of stuff. On top of that we're into the death metal movement with bands like Morbid Angel and Necrophagist and of course thrash- for example Testament and Exodus. So to pin-point our exact influences for the music in Scar Symmetry is really hard. We listen to all these genres frequently but on tour we only listen to 80s heavy metal!

How you define your genre? And if you had to describe your music to a fan that hadn’t heard a single note from the band...
Cosmic progressive melodic (death) metal. But usually we just say “melodic death metal” because that is the tag that we've been stuck with since the first album. And it's an easy way to sort of give you a little clue about the band. But I think that we're more than that, we're more than melodic death metal.

Do you have a certain way of composing music?
Yeah, we have a certain formula. Per creates the riffs and music for some songs and Jonas creates the riffs and music for some songs. They split the material approx. 40/60 because Jonas tends to write a couple of more songs than Per for every album. Then Christian comes up with vocal lines for all the songs, Per and Jonas might put it an idea or two here aswell- it varies, and then I write the lyrics for the songs and try to fit a certain concept into the vocal lines that I get.

The favourite track of “Holographic Universe”? And why?
I actually like all the songs but for example “Timewave Zero” speaks to me in a special way because it has a very emotionally moving sound to it. “Morphogenesis”, “Quantumleaper” and “Ghost Prototype I: Measurement of Thought” are all great and the title-track “Holographic Universe” is also incredible because it's so...out there. Ha ha, I just can't choose ONE song!

What do you think about the metal scene in Sweden? Are there good bands that you want to show us?
The metal scene is doing great, I think it's as strong as ever. Or maybe even stronger THAN ever. We recently did a show here in Sweden with a band called Machinery as opening act, check them out! And definitely check out Terminal Function- an awesome band. And don't forget Propane Headrush!

Why the moniker “Scar Symmetry”?
It was an attempt to describe the various elements in the music, the brutal side combined with the melodic side of the band. So “scar” represents the brutal side and “symmetry” represents the melodic side. It's a yin/yang kind of thing. Or a dr. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde-thing, if you will.

Who is the author of the album cover? And what it represents?
Patrik Wittistock of Azrael Design did the cover this time and we're very pleased with it, it fits the concept of the album perfectly. It sort of displays a holographic universe with a spiral of creation in there that represents the emanation of a life-sequence. That's my interpretation anyway, ha ha.

Why “Holographic Universe”?
Why? Well, 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 just wanted to share that alternative worldview and built the album-concept around it.

What means metal music for you?
Metal has been a huge part of my life since I was 8 years old so I can`t even imagine living without having metal in my life. I think that says it all, he he.

Projects for the future? Concerts in Italy?
We're gonna record a video really soon which will be available around the release of the album. Then we'll probably do some festivals, go on tour during the Fall and hmmm...there are no Italian gigs booked right now. We're going to Spain on a mini-tour in October though. But we'll go to Italy as soon as we get the opportunity!

Thank you for your time. Please close this interview with a message to all our readers...
Then I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the Italian Scar Symmetry-fans out there, you make this whole thing rule! Thanks for being there.