MZ666: How was the band formed?

Richard:

The core of this band was forged at a family dinner home at the Sjunnesson clan two years ago. We had a heavy metal band before Sonic Syndicate called Tunes of Silence but we left that sinking ship (felt like we just stood stamping the same ground) to move into a new unexplored area for us: Melodic death metal. We recruited a new crew (That line-up we chased together back then is actually intact up to date except the bass player change) and kicked off the rehearsals.

MZ666: Where did the band name originate?

Richard:

Sonic Syndicate is a statement to enhance our music direction really. When I listen to our newer music my mind takes me to a dark future realistic place and that works perfectly with our new name. I couldn’t really agree on this with our old name because Fallen Angels sounds more like an occult TRUE metal band. And even if some lyrics are written in that vein, we aren’t into that kind of ideology. Neither are we very true hehe. So I’m very comfortable with the new name Sonic Syndicate and its symbolic meaning that goes hand in hand with the music.

MZ666: How did you learn to play music Self Taught/Music School?

Karin:

We’re all self-taught actually. Concerning myself I have been taking lessons in the art of singing and guitar-playing but not bass though. Actually I first started playing bass when I joined Sonic Syndicate last year. But things have turned out smoothly and so far I haven’t encountered any obstacles.

MZ666:Tell me about your band - How long have you been together, how did you all meet, etc?

The story is that we have pretty much just kept on blasting with the same energy since those days the first rehearsals kicked off. What’s relative and the driving engine in this band is that we always try to raise the bar and develop our approach from both the musical point of view as well as the live appearance. Latest news is that we decided to change name before the release of our debut album just to keep or back free of legal issues… What can I say? The name Fallen Angels was a popular name out there, so popular that countless of unsigned as well as signed bands are sporting it. So nowadays we’re known as Sonic Syndicate and that suits us much better.

We have played together about 2 years and Karin joined us last summer. But I, my brother Roger and my cousin Robin have jammed together since forever really. All Sjunnessons are relatives so you can figure out yourself how we meet but Kristoffer we adopted as a godchild from Poland. Andreas we met in a car accident and Karin we picked up at the local pub when we were drunk (but that’s still kind of foggy).

 
MZ666: How would you best describe your style of music?

Richard:

Ehm... tricky one, what about: Melodic (un)true nuclear metal? Hehe nevermind… I usually call it melodic metal but people insist calling it Melodic death metal witch I think is somewhat misleading. The metal genres are very broad nowadays so placing a band in a sir certain directory always pisses someone off.

MZ666: What would be your ultimate gig line-up?

Richard:

The Hollies feat. Tomas Lindberg from At the Gates would be badass… haha I don’t know really? Don’t like taking out individuals in bands I more look at it at one and the same organ. There are many good musicians out there but they are all good at different things and in different directions so every band is their own dream team I guess.

MZ666: Who writes your lyrics, music and what subjects do they deal with?

Roger writes all the music and has full dictatorship over that division and I’ll write all the lyrics and if someone touches my lyrics they are dead meat. So now you get some weird impression of that the brothers are ruling this boat with iron-hand… which is good because that’s really the truth haha

I can be a very unserious person from time to time but people should know one thing and that’s when it comes to lyrics I’m always dead serious. When I write lyrics my process is really to look deep inside myself and express feelings. Things that disturb me and make me angry as well as things that make me happy. The “Eden Fire” album will not be some kind of satanic bullshit (Neither was “Extinction” the approach was just a shell to symbolise our name but if you read between the lines it’s all about me and my life taking different turns). The “Eden Fire” lyrics will be a stake burning of all bad feelings I have collected throughout the years (especially the last one) to confront them and come out of this as a stronger person.  

So down to earth emotional and very private lyrics are what I write, but I do it in a way that leaves much to the readers. Opens many doors and just closes a few kind of…

MZ666:What is your favourite song to perform? Why?

Karin:

It’s hard to say. I like them all and every gig is different from the other.

MZ666:How many releases do you have out right now?

Karin:

Fall From Heaven (Demo 2003), Black Lotus (Demo 2003) and Extinction (Demo 2004).

Right now we are recording our debut-album “Eden Fire” that we plan to release in May or June this year on the brand new American label - Pivotal Recordings.

MZ666:Anything you guys do before a show to get pumped up?

Karin:

Sometimes we take a pizza together and just hang out at the place we’re playing at.

Later on just before we are going on stage we exercise a bit, having pep talk with each other.

MZ666:What was your most memorable show? Why?

Richard:

I would consider all our shows memorable and important to me. They all have their unique turns and special things to remember. 

MZ666:What are some of your favourite place's to play?

Richard:

Ehm Stone Henge back in 2003 and Coliseum 2004 were great shows! And our upcoming first band on moon event will be spanking!

MZ666:Do you have any advice for people starting a band?

Karin:

Go with your dreams. Fight really hard for what you want.

Richard:

Keep pimping! One day you will drive around in expensive cars and have countless chicks all over you.... Like me! (In my dreams haha) But listen…don’t forget this business is dead serious but don’t let that fact stop you from having fun along the way.

MZ666:What is your impression of the Metal music scene?

Karin:

It’s pretty much a man’s world. It’s not that often you see a girl play this kind of music or growl but I love being in this band, and this is what I want to do. Also the metal music scene is very wide and it’s hard to create something not already done (well, that goes for all music), but I hope we will break through and that people like what we do.

MZ666: The biggest thing to rock the metal scene recently has been the terrible murder of Dimebag of Damageplan/Pantera. Has this changed your mind of playing live?

Richard:

That’s indeed a really ugly story but I can’t say some freak from the states makes me think twice of losing my mind on stage. If people start getting hostile I always carry around this badass riot shield so I’m always protected and safe.

MZ666: Who are some of the influences of your band?

Richard:

My friend’s mom, she’s so hot that I have figured if I keep on doing this and the band break trough I’ll be able to score. She’s the only reason why I’m screaming my guts out. Seriously what kind of freak screams his ass off day in and day out without any motivation? Can’t be the voice of the others in the band but I think Robin’s greatest inspiration is hardcore porn…

MZ666: Thanks for the interview. (You can hear more of This band in our link section.Stay Metal,Stay Brutal . Any last comments for our readers?

Sorry for brining you this disturbing interview and one day we’ll actually get someone in the band writing interviews that make sense. Be sure to check out our new album “Eden Fire” when it hits the stores. I bet Robin’s ass that it will hit you harder than a well placed snowball in the crotch!