Interview with Pain of Salvation at ARTmania 2023

POS: Oh, no problem. It's a pleasure.

POS: Oh, it's a rather long story.

POS: Certainly. It all began when I ended up in the hospital due to a severe case of flesh-eating bacteria—a condition you hear about but never expect to happen to you. Unfortunately, it did happen to me, and I found myself confined to the hospital for almost half a year. During that time, as I started to recover and get back into writing music, some fans actually joked about me creating a concept album centered around my experience with the flesh-eating bacteria. At first, I laughed it off, thinking it was a peculiar idea. However, I soon realized that the experience had a profound impact on my mental state, which inevitably influenced my songwriting. Instead of crafting an album solely about the disease, I delved into the emotions and thoughts that consumed me during that period. The result was an album that captures the essence of those intense feelings, which I hope resonates with listeners, no matter what challenges they face.

POS: Absolutely. Surprisingly, even from our second album onwards, we noticed that our lyrics, although quite melancholic, seemed to connect with people on a deeper level. Initially, I feared we might only spread sadness, but it turned out that during low points in life, our music made people feel less alone. I've come to realize that a combination of shared struggles can create something unexpectedly positive. It's as if one depression complements another, leading to a unique bond that resonates with many.

POS: Yes, that's correct. It was a pretty chaotic time, and things started going haywire towards the end of production. We found ourselves having to complete the mixes and wrap up the last pieces of the puzzle over the phone and by sending files, which was definitely an unusual experience. But we managed to make it work, and the album came together.

POS: Well, it's true that we didn't have a traditional tour for Panther, but we still incorporated a lot of its material into our performances. Our shows typically feature a mix of songs from various albums, and that's how we've always liked it. Personally, I feel more comfortable with tours that aren't solely tied to a specific album. When you're touring for an album, there's this pressure to decide which songs to include in the setlist, and it can be limiting. I prefer the freedom to choose whichever songs we feel like playing on any given night. It's not just about catering to the audience; we do this for ourselves as well.

POS: Absolutely, we believe in staying true to ourselves and our music. While touring is an amazing experience, it's important for us to maintain that sense of creative freedom. Of course, we appreciate our audience and their support, but at the end of the day, it's about making music that speaks to us and hopefully to them as well.

POS: Absolutely, yes! While we'll mainly focus on "One Hour by the Concrete Lake," we're giving it a twist with an acoustic version in a major key (haha). However, don't worry, we'll also be featuring tracks from "Panther", "In the Passing Light of Day", and "The Perfect Element". Although, I must clarify, "Remedy Lane" won't be part of tonight's setlist.

POS: To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. Originally, I had envisioned a grand orchestral album that would serve as Part 2, but then we explored "BE," which somewhat touched similar ground. Additionally, we saw several other metal bands doing orchestral albums and tours, so it made me hesitate. But who knows? I'd like to say yes, for sure! Eventually, we might just name something "The Perfect Element Part 3" when the time is right.

POS: Yes, we actually have an album that's been essentially finished for the past two years. However, something changed for me during the pandemic. It affected me on a deeper level, witnessing how humanity struggled to come together and show compassion during those difficult times. It left me feeling somewhat alienated from the very species I belong to. It made me question why I should continue making music for a species that seemed to falter in crucial moments. It's not the most flattering thought, but it crossed my mind.

It's not just that, though. There's also a sense of ambivalence and a struggle with the responsibilities of being an adult. Being in a band of grown-ups often lacks the pure joy and passion I used to experience while playing for hours on end. I've started teaching music, working with guitar students of various ages and bands, and that has been immensely rewarding. I get to explore different music styles, play with people of diverse skill levels, and embrace each individual's unique personality.

Working on an album, on the other hand, feels more like tedious work. I didn't become a musician to feel like I'm constantly laboring. (laughs) I feel a deep sense of responsibility to music as an entity, and if I don't wholeheartedly connect with what I'm creating, it feels disingenuous. So, I took a break from it. This isn't the first time I've done so; during "The Passing Light of Day" album production, we also took a one-year hiatus. It helps to step away, gain perspective, and then return to the music with fresh ears and renewed enthusiasm.

POS: Yes, we're in the final stages of preparation, with artwork and everything ready. But I must admit, as the band has grown, the process has become more complex. When you start a band, the sky's the limit, and there are no expectations or external pressures. You're free to create whatever you desire. However, as time goes on, you can't help but wonder if what you're producing is enough or if it needs to cater to certain popular production trends. There's this internal conflict where you may consider molding your sound to fit what people currently like, even if you personally don't enjoy those trends. It's a balancing act, and at times, it leaves me feeling inauthentic.

POS: Exactly, it's a constant struggle to preserve that authentic connection.

POS: I formed my first band at the tender age of 11.

POS: Back then, we didn't have platforms like TikTok to occupy our time. Playing music was our playground, our way of expressing ourselves.

POS: Absolutely, seeing those bands on stage and in music videos inspired us immensely. It ignited the desire to be part of something bigger, to have our own band and create music that would resonate with others.

POS: Absolutely, I used to teach entire classes in school, and initially, I thought band culture and composition might be fading away because of the lure of fame through platforms like YouTube and Instagram. However, a heartwarming moment changed my perspective. While I was filling in at a school, some young guys knocked on the door during lunch break, asking if they could use the room to play music. They started working on "Bohemian Rhapsody", and it struck me that band culture will always thrive. The unique experience you gain from being in a band is incomparable to sitting alone, making music on a computer. There's a special reward in being part of a band, a weird and dysfunctional family unit.

As a teacher of young guitar players, I still witness that same passion and dedication. There will always be the ones who dive deep into the world of music, spending hours practicing and coming back to show their progress. For instance, I have a seventh-grade student who wanted to play "Fade to Black" by Metallica. At her age, I couldn't play it, but she returned the next week, having nailed it down. It's incredibly rewarding to see that level of commitment and love for music still thriving.

POS: Absolutely, there will always be those who find solace and fulfillment in something specific like music and playing instruments. It's comforting to witness that passion is still alive in the younger generation. Even with my own kids, I initially thought they weren't too interested in music, but now they surprise me by picking up various instruments and wanting to explore everything. It's pretty cool to see.

POS: Oh, you're absolutely right! "Jesus Christ Superstar" did have an impact on that album, especially in the song "Foreword". However, I must clarify that I didn't intentionally take specific parts and insert them; it was more of an organic influence that seeped into the music.

POS: Yes, my first experience with a Rock opera was actually through the movie of "Jesus Christ Superstar". As a kid, I was mesmerized by the emotional depth and music. While I feel many productions of it miss the mark, what stood out to me was the portrayal of each character's struggles. There were no clear villains; instead, it depicted people trying to do what they thought was right, leading to a huge train wreck, much like reality. This idea of not dividing things into purely good and evil resonates with me. I love stories where evil arises from good intentions, making it more relatable. This influence can be seen in early Pain of Salvation as well, where odd time signatures were drawn from The Beatles and partly from "Jesus Christ Superstar". Later on, Faith no More added to that progressive rock-oriented sound.

(laughs) Sorry, I tend to talk too much.

POS: Indeed, he delivered such a powerful vocal performance, which was impressive considering that some of his other works were cheesy religious songs. His portrayal of Judas just captivated me with each viewing, and his acting and singing kept growing on me. When he passed away, I posted on Facebook about losing one of my vocal heroes, but unfortunately, there was unnecessary aggression from someone comparing it to not posting about another musician's death. It was a strange thing to be hated for.

POS: It's quite challenging to pinpoint specific influences because sometimes it's not an entire band but rather a particular song or even a small passage within a song that leaves a lasting impact. As musicians, we discover these golden nuggets that resonate with us and often influence our work subconsciously. It's like rediscovering melodies from childhood that unconsciously find their way into our compositions.

POS: Exactly! Sometimes inspiration comes from sources beyond music, like movies or life experiences. For our generation, bands like Kiss have had a universal presence. It's fascinating how diverse influences can converge and convey emotions that we invest in our music. So, if someone asks about our influences, the most concise answer would be "life".

POS: "Melodifestivalen" is something we grew up with, and despite its love-hate relationship with many, it's like an institution that brings people together. At one point, I sent in a song but never received any feedback. Then, during the Road Salt recordings, due to distribution issues, we couldn't release the album. One day, a guy from our previous Swedish management called, saying that the "Melodifestivalen" representative heard a rendition of "Undertow" from a live performance and wanted us to submit some music. I made shorter versions of "No Way", "Sisters", and "To the Shoreline", but I also sent "Road Salt", thinking they wouldn't pick it due to its simplicity. But, to my surprise, they did.

Despite not crafting a specific song for the contest, we had a blast and stuck to our signature Pain of Salvation style. We performed with just an organ and vocals, keeping it authentic. I was against using cranes and preferred classic photography-style shots. The producer loved the idea, as he had been longing for such quality camera shots. It was a fun experience, and I'd do it again, although the second time was a bit reluctant as my own artist.

POS: Yes, for the first one, we made it to the semi-finals but got beaten by a Swedish schlager queen, performing what we felt was her weakest song. It was a tough loss, but she's a legend, so it's all good.

POS: Unfortunately, the second time, I think I ended up last. It's a fun fact I often share when people ask about it. But we always do things in our own unique way, so Eurovision might not be our natural fit.

POS: It's a long shot, but if people vote for it, who knows what might happen!

POS: I used to paint, draw, and read a lot. I also had a fascination with physics. Pre-pandemic, I enjoyed parkour and capoeira, but those activities had to be put on hold due to the pandemic.

POS: I have various hobbies like training, fishing, and spending time with my kids.