EVERGREY: Tom Englund on Theories of Emptiness, Success, Changes in the band & more | INTERVIEW 2024

This interview episode's guest Tom Englund of the band Evergrey talks about the new Evergrey album Theories of Emptiness and the creative process behind. Tom also discusses the band's longevity and their journey and evolution of the Evergrey sound. We talk about making it in the Metal world, Swedish metal scene and music industry in general, discuss the writing process and much more. And of course, Tom Englund also tells a hilarious story which happened to Everygrey on tour. Enjoy!
00:00 - Intro
01:03 - On Theories of Emptiness
02:37 - On emotional rollercoasters
04:02 - On diversity and evolution
05:50 - On concept albums and listening patterns
07:07 - On lyrical themes
08:49 - On Swedish music phenomena
11:12 - On live touring
12:40 - On what is wrong with Metalheads
14:21 - On songs to play live
15:32 - On leaving your bandmates in the forest...
Note from the label:
After more than 30 years of existence, Gothenburg's finest metal masters EVERGREY are far away from slowing things down. The five-piece, led by founder, singer and guitarist Tom S. Englund, will release its fourteenth studio album, Theories of Emptiness, on June 7, 2024 via Napalm Records. Without any doubt, the new album marks one of the most dynamic records the band has ever crafted throughout their impressive career. Theories of Emptiness was produced by Tom S. Englund and Jonas Ekdahl, and was mixed by Adam "Nolly" Getgood (ex-Periphery), who worked closely with the band from the start - bringing out the vividness of the album’s overall sonic profile. Rounding out the album’s production, mastering was helmed by Thomas “Plec” Johansson (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra, Onslaught, The Gems, Eleine and many more).
Since releasing their first album, The Dark Discovery, in 1998, EVERGREY have gifted their devotees 13 studio records depicting dark, emotional imagery supported by progressive and heavy melodic metal elements. Theories of Emptiness follows its chart-topping and critically acclaimed predecessor, 2022’s A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament), which entered charts worldwide at #3 in Sweden (Metal), ranked #5 on the Top New Artist Albums charts in the United States, entered #7 in Finland and #12 in Germany.
Tracks are created to balance each-other mutually: from the aggressive tones of “Misfortune“ contrasting the light-hearted opening of “To Become Someone Else“, to the ballad “Ghost of My Hero“ leading into the furious riffs of “We Are the North“. Album opener “Falling From the Sun” (sequel to A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament) track “Ominous”) and “Say“ interweave heaviness with mesmerizing keyboards and unpredictable instrumental parts, as also heard on “The Night Within“. On “Cold Dreams”, Englund’s distinctive voice is accompanied by Jonas Renkse of fellow Swedish metal icons Katatonia, splicing the song with a stellar performance that underlines another intense facet of the album. In addition, Englund’s daughter Salina provides lush backing vocals that enhance the song’s dynamics even more. Ending on a quiet note, Theories of Emptiness depicts exactly what emptiness is about, first with the immersive “Our Way Through Silence“, and then with “A Theory of Emptiness” which, with timid piano, makes us rationalize our innermost feelings. Navigating realms of darkness and light, Theories of Emptiness takes listeners on a carefully balanced roller coaster ride - showcasing EVERGREY's ever-evolving sound in 2024 and beyond.
Evergrey - Theories of Emptiness:
1. Falling From the Sun
2. Misfortune
3. To Become Someone Else
4. Say
5. Ghost of My Hero
6. We Are the North
7. One Heart
8. The Night Within
9. Cold Dreams (feat. Jonas Renkse, Salina Englund)
10. Our Way Through Silence
11. A Theory of Emptiness
EVERGREY are:
Tom S. Englund - vocals, guitars
Henrik Danhage - guitars
Rikard Zander - keys
Jonas Ekdahl - drums
Johan Niemann - bass
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Background music: "Uberpunch" Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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[@MP2]

What do you think about Evergrey's new songs? Have you heard them yet?

[@sergeyromanenko6329]

Don’t heard any yet, but wonder if there are songs like Save Us and Ominous in terms of atmosphere and melody feelings (these two mentioned songs are 2 favorite from Heartless Portrait and in general in EG discography).

[@AndDeathForAll82]

@@sergeyromanenko6329I’d say they sound like an even mix of the last two albums, but still new.

[@lucasmcarthur4941]

The consistent quality of this band over the last 5 or so albums has been outstanding. It is truly a great time to be an Evergrey fan! Enjoyed the interview