Dark Tranquillity Interview

Welcome – I’m glad you answer my questions!
I know Dark Tranquility practically right from your debut album. The line-up has changed a lot over the years, but you are still Dark Tranquility! Do you think this is the way how bands should work in terms of their authenticity?

Hello! Thanks for having me!
I also know them from the debut album. I remember me and my friends getting into ”Skydancer” when it came out in 1993. We were all about the underground metal scene at that time, especially our own Swedish scene, buying demos, fanzines and albums. In Flames, Katatonia, Cardinal Sin, Carnal Forge, Satariel, Soilwork, Decameron, The Crown, Ablaze My Sorrow, Eucharist, Dissection, Unanimated, Merciless, At the Gates, Embraced, all those Dan Swanö projects, Dark Tranquillity, Opeth, Naglfar, Excretion, Amon Amarth, Sacramentum etc etc, wonderful times to be a youngster!
Your question there sounds a bit skeptical in tone? I mean, yeah – it’s not the best to change a lot of members. But sometimes it’s just necessary in order to keep a band going.

Moreover, your development has been continuous from album to album – it’s impossible to say that you’re standing still! How would you describe your way of polishing your dark romantic aggressiveness? What was your ultimate reasons behind putting together slightly softer or more somber albums?

Hmm, I really don’t think it’s a softer album. It’s definitely heavier and faster than ”Moment”. We wanted to keep it fresh and modern yet still absolutely retaining the Dark Tranquillity-vibe intact. We wanted to keep the heaviness, the dark atmosphere yet also bring back some fast songs, brutality and more guitar riffing. So yeah, we did our best and I think it shows.

We are currently waiting for the release of your latest album – and this one already will be your thirteenth record! This time there were interesting aspects of your songwriting process, as one of your former members who previously had left the band helped you, and – due to the line-up changes – new members were also present. In which way did your usual songwriting methodology change? Is it possible to state that the band regained its strength and previous form?

The method of songwriting is still the same – we really analyze, break apart and look critically at the ideas and demos and build it up again. We rewrite and scrutinize everything. This time I had a bigger responsibility of bringing songs and ideas to the table. Me and Martin wrote the music and then Mikael came into the process quite early as well. Jocke also gave some input into how the drums could be optimized. It took about two and a half years from starting to process the individual demos to the finished mix of the album was done.

You guys are great and creative: we can hear it in the guitar solos, riffs and – of course – in the presence of the keyboard fills! What do we need to know about the 12 songs of “Endtime Signals” – how do you think it finally turned out? Where would you place it among your previously released albums in terms of similarity?

Thank you! We’re very proud and pleased with this album. It turned even better than we hoped for. I think we struck a good balance between the old and the modern Dark Tranquillity sound. There is a good mix of different styles on the album but it all feels connected. I’m biased of course, but I feel that this album is up there with ”Damage Done” and ”Fiction”, that’s how I feel about it.

The new album will be released on the 16th of August by Century Media, to whom you are also quite loyal. I’m sure you already gained plenty of experience and a convincing track record with them that justifies, why they are so beneficial for you! What kind of relationship did you guys develop with them over the years? How much opportunity do they give you and how much of it do you usually take advantage of? What did they say about your new album?

I can’t really answer the historical aspect of this question since I’ve only been in the band since 2017. But yeah from what I’ve experienced the relation os really good and with mutual respect and they give us the support and freedom we need to do this full on. Especially the promotion campaign for ”Endtime Signals” was very well arranged and executed, so we’re very pleased with Century Media!

Let’s talk a bit more about how far you have come since your formation, and how much you have evolved over the years! Do you think Dark Tranquility has always had a good sense of how far you can deviate from the tried and tested formulas? In which extent can we consider the current material a backtrack or a new direction?

Both! The best of both worlds. I don’t think we’ll ever do the same album twice. That’s totally ok for some bands but we want to keep on moving. But still never ever abandon our core identity!

Looking at the list of live performances – it’s a huge list with lots of venues and is great! – we see festivals and a longer tour series, which will help you to promote the songs. How many minutes do you guys usually play at an average show? What can we expect from you? Can we expect surprise songs in addition to the new ones?

In North America we played 70 minutes. That was a co-headline tour with Amorphis, in Europe we are the sole headliner, so we will play longer. Maybe 85-90 minutes. There will be surprise songs yes…

Fortunately, the “Endtime Signals Tour” will also reach Budapest! I’m sure that a lot of people are waiting for your coming to my country! What kind of message do you have for them – what is it that can make your show a great night for them? What can they expect?

They can expect something new and upgraded for the visual show. The setlist will contain a lot of songs from ”Endtime Signals” but we’re also bringing back old songs and upgrading the way they are delivered on stage. I don’t think the Hungarians will be disappointed at all!

How well do you know Hungary? Do you have a favorite place or food?

I’m really interested in history and languages so I’ve read some about Hungary – fascinating! In real life I’m sorry to say that I’ve only visited Budapest.Would love to see other places of course also! Done quite a bit of tourism in Budapest, including one of those great bathhouses. Beautiful city!

Dark Tranquillity are already in their mature years. What do you think is easier vs. harder for the band now than before? Do you give a helping hand to bands that are just starting out? Can you tell us about the newcomers in Gothenburg? What is the current talent pool like there?

I think it’s harder to do something new. We really try and I think we do it quite well, but of course a new band has more freedom that way. On the other hand it’s a real asset and power to have the legacy, all the loyal fans and the classic songs to lean on. That’s great! I don’t live in Gothenburg, I live in Malmö actually. And I’ve lost touch with the metal scene, what’s new and such. I grew up with the Gothenburg scene and it’s been incredibly strong for a long time. But the new bands I don’t know much about I’m afraid.

Thank you for your time – you are great, and I would like to see you making music for a long time! Finally, could you please tell me how excited the band feel right now!

Thank you for the interview and support!
How excited? 11 out of 10, haha. Take care! Cheers!