Sonic Syndicate are a Swedish Melodic Death/Metalcore band from Falkenberg, Sweden. They consist of 5 members instead of the latest 6 as a last minute announcement was said about Roland Johansson leaving the band (as explained by Karin Axelsson in the interview). They recently toured alongside Swedish Industrial glamsters Deathstars and fresh-off-the-bone metal/visual kei boyband Marionette of whom both are from Sweden. They were originally known as Fallen Angels but changed their name (again explained in interview), they have released 4 singles and 3 albums of which their latest 'Sonic Blast' is entitled 'Love & Other Disasters'. I caught up with Karin Axelsson to talk about the bands history and future prospects.
1. How did the band form & who chose the band name, at the same time what does 'Sonic Syndicate' mean?
Karin Axelsson: It was about the time where we were about to release Eden Fire, and we needed a new name. Rich said he wanted to have something with 'Sonic' and something with 'Syndicate', and we immediately thought - that was it. It sounds good and feels good to say.
2. What would you say to people & media alike who label you as emo, due to their own perception of your lyrical content?
Karin Axelsson: People will always put a label on you whatever you do and that is something you have to accept as a band. We, ourselves however do not wanna put any sort of label on us. We simply play the music we like.
3. To Richard, Roger & Robin, because your surnames are the same, are you in fact related & if so how?
Karin Axelsson: They are brothers! its as easy as that =)
4. To all band members, when did you start taking up your profession as a musician & were there any other jobs you were interested in?
Karin Axelsson: I can only speak for myself, and I've always wanted to do something with music. I started out with singing and guitar and later on bass too.
5. Would you ever consider creating songs for an album entirely in Swedish?
Karin Axelsson: I dont think Sonic would ever do an entire album in Swedish no, maybe one song for fun. But personally I listen to a lot of Swedish artists that sing in Swedish only.
6. What made you create the song 'Hellgate Worcester'? Did you know in England there is a city called Worcester & that they might take offence to the song?
Karin Axelsson: "Hellgate Worcester" is a song that actually has quite an interesting story behind it. There is a town in the US called Worcester. We had a show there on our tour together with Amon Amarth and it was an interesting experience which made us wanna write that song.
7. You recently toured & played with alongside Deathstars & Marionette, what are your opinions of both bands & did you have any partying moments post-play?
Karin Axelsson: Both Deathstars and Marionette are very nice bands. We shared tourbus with Deathstars and they became very good friends to us, both as collegues and party-animals.
8. What are your opinions on Middle East bands like Melechesh & African bands like Myrath & Crackdust? Would you ever consider playing alongside bands like them?
Karin Axelsson: I am sorry to say that I dont know any of those bands..
9. To Karin, without being personal, during tours are there any guys that come up to & ask crazy shit like 'can i have a kiss?', etc. Also to all band members, during tours are there any crazy things you have done or someone has done to you?
Karin Axelsson: That actually happens all the time. Guys can be really crazy, but sometimes also girls. Most of the time I can handle it but if they get to close and especially when they're drunk I will have the guys to help me out.
10. When walking in Falkenberg, do metalhead's instantly recognise you?
Karin Axelsson: Sometimes that happens, but not very often. I mean everyone knows who you are, but its a small town.
11. Finally, what can we expect from Sonic Syndicate this year in 2009 and are there any long term plans that go further than 2009? Also are you familiar with www.vampirefreaks.com and www.alternate-zone.com? Would you join up to it?
Karin Axelsson: This year a lot of new things will happen. Roland will leave the band after the end of August, and we will have a new singer and the rest of the year will be very exciting for us. The long term plan is of course to take over the whole world haha. I have heard about vampirefreaks before, but its not something I'm a member of.
Thank you for your time, all the best for 2009!!!
Warm Regards,
Rhys Stevenson
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