Scar Symmetry pour l'album "Symmetric In Design"

Could you present briefly Scar Symmetry to our readers, since this name is quite unknown to most of them?

Yeah sure. Scar Symmetry consists of Jonas Kjellgren (known from Centinex, Carnal Forge and World Below etc) on guitar, Christian Älvestam (known from Unmoored, Torchbearer, Incapacity etc) on vocals, Per Nilsson (known from Altered Aeon) on guitar, Kenneth Seil on bass and me- Henrik Ohlsson (known from Theory in Practice, Mutant and Altered Aeon) on drums. We formed the band in 2004 because we wanted to put together a new and fresh metal act without any boundaries whatsoever. We wanted the whole thing to sound big with syntheseizers, shredding guitar solos and very varied vocals, backed up with complex rhythmwork although keeping it all catchy. That was the whole idea behind Scar Symmetry. We recorded a demo featuring one song called “Seeds of Rebellion” in the summer of 2004 which caught the interest of Cold records and we signed a deal with them right away basically. Our debut album called “Symmetric in Design” is set for release in the beginning of February 2005!

You come from many talented extreme bands such as Centinex, Theory in Practice or Carnal Forge. Where did came this idea of making a softer music with Scar Symmetry?

Well, we wanted to put together something new with Scar Symmetry and explore new paths with this band. We really couldn`t do that by going in a more extreme direction because we`ve done that and still do with other bands, so it was only logical to play this kind of music with Scar Symmetry. This is what the music sounded like when we started to put songs together and we really felt comfortable with it.



Shall we consider Scar Symmetry as a single side project or is it a serious band with plans on touring and releasing others albums later?

We definetly have plans to release more albums and we will of course tour if we get a good offer and everything. Everyone in the band has put 100% into Scar Symmetry when we worked with the album, so when we focus on this band we are of course 100% serious and dedicated.

Speaking of touring, is there already a tour planned to promote your new album?

No, since the release will take place in February 2005 we haven`t booked any shows at all yet. Right now it`s December and we`re just sort of waiting for the album to come out. We will probably start rehearsing in January 2005.

I guess the comparaison with Soilwork's three latest albums is unavoidable. How do you feel about it?

Hmmm, we like to think that we`ve done something unique with our music and if you ask us we are not doing the same thing as Soilwork . What IS unavoidable is that people always draw comparisons to other bands, we have to live with that of course. I don`t mind if people compare us to Soilwork or any other act as long as they like what we do, that`s really the only important thing. But if someone decides to label us as this or that just to make us look bad, well…in that case I do mind he he.

Hard question: what is your favorite song on this new album? And the one who like less?

That is a tough question. I have a bunch of faves! “2012, the demise of the 5th sun” immediately comes to mind but “the Veil of Illusions”, “Reborn” and “Underneath the Surface” is excellent too. Not to mention “Hybrid Cult” and “Detach from the Outcome”! My least fave is probably…ehm…I like them all!

It is quite hard to find any informations on Scar Symmetry over the Net...Any plans to launch an official website soon?

Yeah, we`ve only been around since March 2004 or something so we`re really really young as a band. That`s the reason you can`t find much about Scar Symmetry on the internet, we haven`t had time to establish ourselves there yet. But we have a guy who`s working on an official site for Scar Symmetry right now, you will probably see it online around the release date of the album. Keep checking the sites of Cold records and Metal Blade for news!



Any comments on the murder of Dimebag Darrel (RIP) a few weeks ago...?

Oh shit, that was such a tragedy! I saw it on the news and I was like “whaaat?”. Shit like that rarely happens in the metal scene, luckily enough. A legend should not have to go like that, the act was so damn meaningless. I suffer with his brother who had to experience the tragic event and his family in general. I`m sure the whole metal scene feels the same way.

This interview is made for a French webzine (http://www.thrashocore.com). Any good / bad comments to do about France? (be careful! ;p)

France rules! I mostly know France through metal and I think it is truly a metal country! You have a lot of great personalities working in the metal business there, Laurent of Listenable records, my friend Karine Penilleau and Jean-Pierre of Infernal Waves and of course Osmose productions to name a few. Yeah, my experiences of France, or FRENCH PEOPLE to be correct, has been very good so far. And parts of the legendary band Notre Dame (r.i.p) came from France – need I say more?

What is the last cd you bought?

I think it was the latest In Battle-album. Well, I didn`t actually buy it, I traded Altered Aeon`s album “Dispiritism” (my other band who recently released a debut album through Black Lotus records) for a copy of it.

What are you listening to these times? Any good metal / non-metal albums to recommand?

From the all the new stuff I`ve heard I recommend Karl Sander`s soloalbum “Saurian Meditation”, Behemoth “Demigod”, Confessor`s upcoming album (heard one track and it rules!), In Battle “Welcome to the battlefield”, Altered Aeon “Dispiritism”and of course Scar Symmetry “Symmetric in Design” he he.

Do you surf often on the Internet? Any good adresses to share?

Sure, I have a bunch. Check out www.coldrecords.com , www.black-lotus-recs.com , www.alteredaeon.cjb.net , www.metalblade.de , and when you`ve checked them out you can enter the links-sections of those sites and find your way to every metal site worth visiting!

A last word to conclude?

Thanks for the interview, Thrashocore! It was fun. And to the entire population of France- take care! You rule!