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Interviews

ASK DARK TRANQUILLITY’S MIKAEL STANNE A QUESTION!

Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 10:00am by

dark tranquillityRather than interview Dark Tranquillity frontman Mikael Stanne ourselves or have the Monkeys whip up a few questions on their typewriters, we figured we’d extend an invitation to our faithful Suckalos. After all, DT’s new album We Are the Void drops March 9th so surely there are some burning questions on your mind. Such as:

  • What can we expect from the new album?
  • What are your feelings on touring with bands as varied as Killswitch Engage and The Devil Wears Prada?
  • Why do you do that funny little bob with your head when you sing?

Now’s your chance to have your questions answered by Mikael himself. Simply leave your queries in the comments, we’ll sift through and pick a few of our favorites, and he’ll answer them on MetalSucks in due time.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Cefaratti/542463984 Chris Cefaratti

    Has he ever been mistaken for Chad Kroger & Do gingers have soul?

  • hi my name is mark

    Will the new album be a continuation of “Fiction” or will it be another step in DT’s supposed evolution?

    • Sam

      or… When will you stop making the exact same album over and over again.

      p.s. The Gallery is good, do that again.

      • jordaniac89

        Thank you! You read my fucking mind!

  • http://fantasyh.wordpress.com fantasyh

    What is your method for writing lyrics? Do you write after all the music is done, or do you have them ready to go beforehand? What are your main inspirations?

  • Dennis

    Mikael: Do you knowof any current opening in the business asisting bands with thier projects, i am a now ex- recording engineer and I have a few of your records and DVD but I’m seeking recording gigs that I might be able to get involved in.

  • lordassenfroth

    has anyone told you that you like like danny bonadouche with long hair?

  • Vakarm

    What do you think of modern death metal bands that often sacrifice melody for the sake of technical prowess? Is there still room in the metal world for melodic music without necessarily venturing into power metal?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Zachary-Tewell/2717437 Zachary Tewell

    Why did you choose goatse as the inspiration to your latest album’s cover art?

    • addonex

      not cool man, not cool

      • Andy Synn

        True though.

    • ryan mccubbin

      Lol!

  • Zoker

    What about clean vocals? I mean, you strongly adopted them with Projector (Therein is an hell of a song) but then they got left behind until Fiction and only for one song… are you going to give them some space in the future?

    • Canvas Of Flesh

      I’d like to know the answer to this as well. I know there are a few people that hated Projector due to the clean vocals, but I thought it was a damn solid album.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rik-Powell/286400508 Rik Powell

        There are quite a lot of clean vocals on the new album.

      • Cryzthormagnusian

        I find Projector a hard album to like but I often give a spin and see if my feeling have changed. Maybe that time has come again now that you mention it.

  • B-dizzle

    Who do you think is/are the leaders of modern metal? Why?

    Personal favorite bands?

    Bands most influential to Dark Tranquillity? Why?

    Mashed Potatoes or baked potatoes? Why?

  • eat shit

    How do feel about the success of other swedish bands like In Flames? Does it bother you that bands like In Flames have become increasingly more mainstream? And do you that you could have more mainstream success by sacrificing your integrity?

  • Watty

    I noticed from reading different interviews and such that you are fairly “open” about the fact that you enjoy doing vocals that lie on the harsher end of the spectrum. Though this idea is not limited to you and DT, the fact that you’re going to be answering some questions begs the question:

    1) Was there ever a time when you found it hard to stand in front of an audience and sing like that? If so, how did you get over the fact that there are a lot of people that wouldn’t understand/appreciate what it is you do?

    2) Also, as was asked before, how do you come up with the lyrics for DT’s material? I remember hearing that you wait for the band to write the music before setting vocals to it. Do you pre-write your ideas and then try to apply it to the song that you feel fits the mood you were in when writing, or do you try and write while listening to the material the band has composed?

    3) I love the aesthetics of Sweden, the whole forlorn natural vibe…If I were to visit Sweden, what is the best place to check out aside from the Stockholm and Gothenburg? What’s the best time of year to hop across the pond (both for the weather and seeing some metal)?

    -BTW

  • Crypticbeast754

    Since you guys are still trying to establish a fanbase in America, it must be difficult choosing bands that will go well with your growing audience. What bands are you looking at to take on tour with you when you headline in the states?

    • Facebook User

      I would like to know this as well. :)

  • Sam P

    Any plans for a US headlining tour in the near future?

  • The Overmatt

    Any plans for a Canada headlining tour in the near future?

    • jamie

      are you guys coming to canada soon

  • brandonmetal

    will you ever again play live anything from skydancer/chaos+eternal night?

    haha- he said suckalos.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Harrington-Neil-Sauer/677600672 Harrington Neil Sauer

    When I saw you guys back in Ogden, Utah(I drove 9 hours from Montana alone to see the show, and it was well worth it), I saw you go into a women’s salon across the street. What products do you use to keep your hair so majestic?

    • Andy Synn

      That’s exactly the question I was going to ask.

      Great minds think alike.

  • brandonmetal

    possible follow up question to the above: why not?

  • Marc

    Okay, so picture this: train A is leaving from a platform at 11.00 going 120mph. Train B is leaving from the same platform and in the same direction at 12.15 going 180 mph. How long would it take before you get sick of this stupid riddle and you start doing what you like the most and what would that be?

  • Gaia

    Gargh?

  • Biff_Tannen

    I saw you in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,USA on the “Damage Done” tour. After the show, you and a couple band mates hopped into my friends car with us to go get some food. We ended up stopping at a Taco Bell, since you had never eaten there before. You were quite entralled with the large burrito you purchased. Do you still feel this way about Taco Bell, or have you refined your tastes while on tour in the U.S. ?

    BTW… I have video of you in my friends car ordering the burrito, and trying to understand what the african american woman at the restraunt was saying. You were quite confused as to why someone who had lived their entire life in the U.S. couldn’t speak English half as well as you and your bandmates from Sweden.

    • Aaron

      Oh gosh that’s just too much.. rofl

    • Facebook User

      That is epic.

      • http://kissofd3ath.blogspot.com Raja

        WTF. You’re sso fucking lucky man!! Damn, how I wish something like that would happen to me!

  • http://www.last.fm/user/M60Patton Patton

    Will you marry me ?

  • Discipleofthewatch

    Most of these questions above are good. I am listening to Fabric, off of the album Haven, at the moment. Good stuff.

    What are some of your favorite bands, Mikael Stanne? (Other than Coheed and Cambria, Annie Lennox, and Soilwork, apparently.)

  • Discipleofthewatch

    also, your bandmate, Niklas Sundin: is he really into voluntary human extinction? Better than involuntary human extinction, I suppose. He sounds kind of intimidating.

  • http://thenumberoftheblog.wordpress.com/ groverXIII

    Is it difficult to know that because of other bands ripping off your style, your own music in a genre you helped pioneer now sounds relatively generic?

    Also, did you guys really not realize that your new album cover was a fairly obvious Goatse reference?

    • Ziltoid

      If MS doesn’t pick the goatse question, they will hit a new level of failure.

  • http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/95519128/22592769 LostToApathy

    You’ve been for the second time in Moscow back in december 2009 and you’ve played there “Dream Oblivion” for the first time live ever. Was there any reason for that choice?

    And the second question – can you explain what idea hides behind the title “We Are The Void”?

    And finally – what do you feel about people listening to leaked new album before its release date?

  • Heino

    You contributed lyrics to Solution .45′s debut album, due this April?
    How involve were you with the songs (for example, did you write all the lyrics or only a few of them) and are you making any guest appearances on the album apart from the lyrics?

    What was your inspiration or theme, when composing the lyrics?

  • http://www.hatespire.com Nymik

    Hey, How do you train your voice? I love your deep growls!

  • Marcus

    Did you enjoy your time in In Flames and do you ever wish to go back some times? Or are you just fine with being in DT now? And what’s you opinion on In Flames now anyway? they’ve become too mainstream, its kinda sad

  • mike

    Were there any melodic death metal bands that formed around the same time as you (and In Flames, At the Gates etc.) that you thought would make it big, but ultimately never did?

  • Ziltoid

    What are your feelings on touring with bands as varied as Killswitch Engage and The Devil Wears Prada?

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    No.

    • Isaac

      Melodic metalcore vs. christcore…
      Yeah, I see your point.

    • CathodeRayFandom

      Cool to see another Devy fan here.

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/ZombieNixon3000 President Nixon

    Is it awkward when people randomly come up to you after a show and hug you? Do you think things like “get away from me, creepy person, you’re going to spill my beer?”

  • Isaac

    What are your feelings on what melodic death metal has evolved into since the 90s, as well as its impact on metalcore and deathcore?
    Speaking of which, do you generally approve of or disapprove of the “core” genres? I mean, there are some exceptions (you’re touring with them), but I’d like your overall opinion.

  • Firewalking

    When are you expecting come to Portugal again?

  • B-dizzle

    How do you feel that one of the worst bands ever, The Devil Wears Prada, has a better spot than you on this upcoming tour?

    • Watty

      We need to hear the answer to this one.

  • Andy Synn

    What is the meaning of life?

  • HM

    I want to know if you have any plans yet for coming back to the US for more shows of the new release? You are one of my two favorite bands. Got snowed out from the show 2/5 & will miss the shows 3/17 and 3/18 because I will be out of the country, Ironically, I am missing a show from my other favorite band when I am away too. I am hoping my luck changes if you tour again.

  • Fdo

    What DT albums would you consider milestones in terms of vocals ? Why?

    Ps: Cheers from Chile!

  • Daan

    How much of yourself do you put into the lyrics you write? Are there songs you find difficult to play because of that?

    Keep up the good work, I really like the new album!

  • Mr.Big

    Why is DT touring with TDWP,
    i mean you guys are so good,
    tdwp are so lame……

  • Nicole Helluin

    Hej,
    How do you feel about people painting portraits of you?

    Kärlek!
    /Nicole

  • Facebook User

    Hello!

    What are your favorite songs from the new album?

    Which songs were the most difficult for you to write (not just from this album, but from others as well)?

    I loved the collaboration you guys did with Nell Siglund. Are there any other vocalists that you would like to collaborate with?

    -Amy

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dunja-Sateenkaari-Milainovi/584359941 Dunja Sateenkaari Milašinović

    I’d like to ask, could you write a song in Swedish?
    How hard it is or could be?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dunja-Sateenkaari-Milainovi/584359941 Dunja Sateenkaari Milašinović

      also, where did you get the inspiration to write White Noise/Black Silence? It is one of my favorite DT songs.

  • nathaniel linsz

    i was supposed ot see you last night (feb 6, 2010) in Norfolk, VA but the show was postponed till May 19th because of bad weather. Will you be returning with Killswitch Engage on the rescheduled date. you guys were the only reason i bought a ticket and you should be headlining.

  • Caglar

    When will you come to Istanbul again? İs there any plan… Because we are so sad for the cancellation of Turkey Tour.

  • Dmitry T

    How have you not killed killswitch and worn devils wears prada like skin suits? you guys are fucking awesome you just need three hours to play your songs!

  • eddie

    When will you be coming back to Australia?

  • Mange P

    How did you learn screaming/growling, and do you have any tips for aspiring metal vocalists?

  • ThisIsPiff

    Which animal is the best – Penguins or seals?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Christina-Marios-Pagiavla-Mpouzanis/651124708 Christina Marios Pagiavla-Mpouzanis

    When we gonna see you again on greece? :*(

  • Linus

    I heard a rumor saying you guys were going to quit. I don’t really have any sources for that rumor, since I only heard it from a friend. Any comment on that?

  • Hossam Dassouqi

    Are you planning to come to Lebanon or any Arabic country rather than Tunisia?

  • http://kissofd3ath.blogspot.com Raja

    I can’t wait to see you guys in Milwaukee on Feb 19th! I feel pathetic that you guys are supporting KSE and not vice versa. I know you wouldn’t like to admit that in public, but why did you choose to play support and not headline events with non-american bands as support (more like the finnish bands).
    Also, as a melodeath maniac, I feel sad that mainstream gets all the buzz while some magical music from scandinavia is not in the limelight. Why do you think this has been the scenario for the last 25 years? Its always been about USA and UK while some of the best music IMHO comes from Sweden and Finland.

  • Facebook User

    This is epic. How do you growl they way you do? It’s just so unique, like a very breathy growl, but not. And why is your clean voice so deep, your growl relatively high in comparison and your speaking voice in the middle? It’s seems a little odd to me.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shaik-Aqmal-/1605436053 Shaik Aqmal バイパー

    Do you ever get tired of the band’s work cycle? Like make album-tour-make album-tour, does that ever tire you out?

  • CathodeRayFandom

    As a fan of your music, I am sad to say I will not be paying 60 dollars for a 30 minute set, while two terrible metalcore bands get hour long sets, but If you do come back for a REAL tour, as the headliners that you are, I will be more than willing to shell out the cash.

    Why do you choose not to use clean vocals as much as the harsh growl?

  • Richard

    I am from Toronto Canada. I really want to see you guys live. Any plans to tour in Canada? Also, why are you touring with bands like Killswitched Engaged and Devil Wears Prada? You are so much better than them in so many ways.

  • John

    Will the tour with Killswitch Engage include songs from your new album, or from past albums?

  • Andrea Snurb

    Hey Mikael,
    we talked to each other right after the “darkness over x-mas”-gig in stuttgart and i wonder, if you that maybe could happen again. I’m not that kind of a fan-girlie…but I really like to meet you again. Mabe at Summerbreeze or Metaltown_Festival?!?!? Love, Andrea

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Arturo-Arias/884615042 Arturo Arias

    Your lyrics are always very interesting and for myself they bring a lot of ideas to think about in my life and the people surrounding me, and also your recordings capture all the atmosphere that encloses the right words… what’s the inspiration that drives your lyrics to create messages with such intensity?

    I’m a big-mexican-die-hard fan of you guys, I love your music and lyrics, you’re one of the greatest bands in the world.

    Arturo.

  • Laura Faye

    Hi Mikael, watching the dvd right now waiting to see you guys in Orlando tomorrow night! Your lyrics and the band’s music have really influenced my own art – when I am in a rut listening to an album like The Gallery always inspires me.
    Is there one band member whose influence you feel has most contributed to DT’s trademark sound?

  • HellRaider

    Are you aware that the modern gothenburg sound defiles real-old school melodic death metal?

  • Dave

    When will you be coming back to the US?

  • Alex

    ‘Hallå’ Mikael,

    Seeing titles and lyrics of your songs, I’ve noticed that some are clearly related to physics (the latest one being “At the point of ignition”, even though I’ve not read the lyrics yet). Do you and/or the other members of Dark Tranquillity have a particular interest in the subject? Where do you take these things from?
    For example, in the song “Inside the Particle Storm”, you mention “cold dark matter”, which is not especially something everybody knows about.

    Actually, I’m particularly intrigued because I’m working on particle physics myself ;).

    I can’t wait to see you guys again in Belgium;
    Alex

    • Richard

      I realize that the lyrics are usually really deep, and hard for most to truly get. This is something that I love about Dark Tranquillity. I am also wondering from where you get these ideas? Unless your band is made up of geniuses who know everything about science, mythology, and any other use of inspiration for your lyrics, which is a possibility.

  • B.

    I was always curious… Jorn Lande solo vs Jorn with Masterplan? Personally I prefer him solo.

    As for a more serious question… did you ever get a vocal cord nodule? How do you deal with that kinda stuff? I mean, even with the techniques and stuff, working constantly puts a lot of pressure on your vocal cords. (Of course, whisky is always a solution…)

  • can ali guven

    why dont you have a sideproject group with a different style (i said different coz i know you dont want to affect DTs musical influence, for ex; more clean based may be projector style band) while every other populer singer has one ? i believe your fans ( including me) will die for a album with your cleans even if it does NOT METAL. Cheers for Izmir / Turkey

    • hainkoala

      Because when you are into metal there is no place for anything else. It is to protect your soul. When you have a non-metal side project, gods of metal will curse you.

      • danny darko

        lol you cant be serious!
        I can probably listen Mikaels bathroom bumbles . 7/24 Mikael Stanne

  • Karen Kay

    If you could choose one of your songs to be taught to students in class, which one would it be and why?

  • IgorYokk

    will you ever come to ISRAEL????!!!!
    I am waiting since 1995….

  • Benjamin Fyffe

    Hi Mikael,

    1) Do you enjoy doing clean vocals, or feel as comfortable doing them, as much as you do your normal growls?
    I ask as I personally really enjoy the variety your clean vocals give to the songs and I was surprised that they were not utilised much between from “Haven” to “Character”.

    2) When are you coming to Camden Barfly again?

  • Faust

    Are you aware that you made melodic death metal look like metalcore shit?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Luis-Felipe-Diaz/656179921 Luis Felipe Diaz

    hi mikael , i’m a young man from mexico
    my question is :
    how did you get to form an iconic metal band? , i’m living in mexico , i’m 16 , but i don’t know how should i start , i am a guitarrist and i have a good talent .
    thanks , greetings

  • Edfvedft

    Have there been any funny Adam D. stories from the tour?

  • Goran

    Cheers Mikael… do you see yourself doing more clean vocals in the future (maybe on the new album)? Is that something you desire or do you find it only as a mean to interpret the lyrics? Thanks & ahoy from Croatia!

  • Stephan

    1) Dark Tranquillity has been together for longer than I have been alive. How does it feel to know that the band is older than a great number of the fans?

    2) A lot of great Melodic Death Metal bands have split due to “creative differences” or tension between band members. Is there any danger of this happening to DT?

    3) I know Niklas and Daniel are involved in a couple of side projects. Do you yourself have any side projects going?

  • onwards

    hi there :)

    what is your opinion on religion? and what does other band members feel about religion? what does dark tranquillity belive and stand there for?

    thanks in advance :) thank you for all this beautiful music, which i have been listening for years…

  • Firewalking

    Hello Mikael!
    1 – You are the best connecting with the crowd during the shows. Certainly, there was some weird situations for you… Can you share with us something that had let you admired?
    2 – Aparently, you don’t have piercings and/or tattoos (I admire that! :P). It’s because you don’t like, or you don’t want use that?
    3 – To do the new albuns, how you do that? You had the lyrics of the songs first and do the music next, or do everything at the same moment? Before you do the album, you had, already, the ideias of what you want to do? The themes you want for it?
    4 – You edited the Where Death Is Most Alive DVD (Excelent!!) and the new album is coming. What are your future projects?
    5 – When are you expecting come to Portugal again? :P
    Cheers from Portugal!! \m/

  • daas

    Hello

    Varför kan ni inte göra en cd med lite mindre mainstream, en i stil med skydancer skulle va jävligt skitbra.

  • Facebook User

    1. There is a general consensus within the metal community that In Flames has “sold out”, whereas Dark Tranquillity remains very well-respected. Obviously your band is linked to In Flames, both musically and personally. What do you think of the divergent paths the two bands have taken?

    2. You are now touring with Killswitch Engage and The Devil Wears Prada. Was this the band’s decision or was the selection of touring mates completely out of your hands?

    3. How does it feel to be opening for bands so obviously influenced by the sound you pioneered? (One might describe them as commercialized bastardizations, but I’ll try to be civil.)

    4. I personally am not going to go all the way out to a city you are hitting on this tour and paying ticket price just to watch you play a short opening set and then leave or sit through hours of pop metal.
    In fact, I’ve noticed you guys have taken quite a few opening slots lately. Why is this?
    I can’t think of a band who deserves to headline more than you guys. When can we expect a Dark Tranquillity headlining tour of the US?

    5. I hear that you are writing lyrics for Solution .45′s upcoming debut album. How do you know them and how did this marriage occur?

    6. What are the inspirations for the lyrics you write? Any hidden meanings in your songs you’d like to talk about?

    7. How does touring in the US differ from touring in Europe?

    Finally, I’d like to finish my echoing the goatse thing because this question needs to be asked.

  • Glorfindel

    Hello mikael, are you faithful ?

  • Glorfindel

    and is anders friden your friend ?
    why did he left your band ?
    didn’t he knew that DT had more Wonderful future than ”in Flames” ?
    why do you like Soilwork’s Album ”Sworn To Great Divide” ? they suck !
    do he knows that you are better vocalist then he ?
    and have you straight orientation ?

  • ButtSlammer

    What’s YOUR favorite metal release of the decade?

  • Alex

    What does the TNB stand for in the song Derivation TNB? In America, it is sort of a racist acronym so im sure you guys have a better use for those letters. I was thinking The New Build, but it comes at the end of Through Smudged Lenses…

  • j

    Hey,
    How do you growl and scream, and still be able to sing perfect!?!?

  • Facebook User

    I have been listening to DT and HammerFall (though I didn’t know that they were related) for about 6 or 7 years I think. Meh, high school was a blur. But if I look nice, will Mikael give me a kiss? Cause I am an OK fan of Dark Tranq, but a much bigger fan of men with the blood of kings. Sorry, inappropriate. but I still want one when next you guys deem Pittsburgh worthy.
    Odin, I really hope that you answer someone’s question, cause I know I would be uber pissed were you to kiss some chick rather than answer a real question. that would be bad ass of you anyways! To ignore fans and press on to issues such as girls, hahaha
    Always

  • http://00100 dt

    can you re make skydancer album with your vocals? since your vocals are pretty much than andres…remaking the album with your vocals would be great!

  • Ali

    Why did you changed you’re style from death metal to MDM ?
    How do you keep the band balanced at all the instruments ?
    And when are you guys gonna come to Dubai. :C

  • BubbaJ

    Hail Mikael,
    How would you describe your devotion/sacrifice for this band and how important is it in your life?

  • BubbaJ

    and yeah, bring back the clean vox !!

  • Daniel McBride

    What is your most memorable moment from your UK tour in 2008? Also, if you could play one place in the world you haven’t played before, where would it be?

  • gonzalo Bocha

    What your opinion about the tour for latin american ? you want to came back this year ?

    Greats From Argentina

  • igor

    what was your feelings when you performed such beatiful concert in moscow?

  • Francis

    How can I improve my growls (power, technique, etc.) without hurting my throat?

    Thanks for considering,
    Francis

  • DeV

    Why don’t you write the lyrics in swedish? Swedish growling would fit perfectly to your sound

  • Cryzthormagnusian

    I second and third all questions here regarding “when can we expect a headlining tour?”.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alberto-Flores/1022166142 Alberto Flores

    When you will play any song from pre-The Gallery albums (OCAEN, Skydancer, Demos)???

  • krunkulor5000

    Look man, i absolutely lovvvvvvvvve your monstrous metal voice its one of my fav, but why are you so shy with those singing pipes? When can we hear those again? I get so lost in your badass growling that i forget you can sing like a mofo. Again i love your growls but when can you go back to singin my girls clothes off again?

  • Erik

    What does the lyrics for the song “The Endless feed” deal with?

    PS: Du är fanimej den bästa jävla vokalisten som finns därute!

  • ryan mccubbin

    After the north american tour with KSE and DWP, will DT be touring north america again any time soon? the SF bay area in particular

  • lomatar

    please tell us what the symbol :.:: means. we will accept any type of answer like “something you will never know” or “i don t know” . but we need an answer.

    • Alex

      Mmm, I guess I’m not the only one who tried to find out considering Braille alphabet ;-) [which seems to be a dead end].

  • Facebook User

    Ok Mikael Stanne, aka Sweden’s greatest ginger fellow. Here’s some to scratch the noggin’.

    1. You have a dragon to slay that seems to represent that bitter emptiness and darkness within us all? How do you defeat the dragon using a sword that you can somehow write words into it’s hide. Yes, you have to carve lyrics into it’s flesh to banish this damn metaphorical meaning dragon. How do you kill that emptiness within basically? ANSWER IN LYRICS FORM PLEASE.

    2. You come across a talking piano, it talks by “speaking” harmonies to you. You come across it, think “FUCK, A TALKING PIANO COMMUNICATING WITH HARMONIES!” Do you then speak back by screaming words over it’s melodies at the same time, or mix it up with some epic singing? Projector album part 2.. yes please.

    3. Where is this so called Treason Wall and how can I knock it down because quite frankly I DON’T BELIEVE.. I WON’T BELIEVE it is there. You’re thinking how can I justify my lesser faith? Well I could find it where death is most alive.. but the point I’m getting to is, how does one punish YOUR heaven?

    4. Whose greater? King Diamond or Kreator? TOUGH CHOICE I KNOW!

  • Defiance

    Is a Latin American tour on the works?

    How did you feel working with Daniel Antonsson? How did he contribute to the album?

    Did you like the artwork? Why choose someone else besides Niklas do it?

  • http://www.myspace.com/waterdreamsound Rune

    So here some questions for Mikael:

    Question 1
    Your growls/screams are very distinct and different from other vocalists in the same genre. How did you develop your voice over the years? Have you been taking lessons and do you work on certain techniques?

    Question 2
    Your hometown Götheborg is considered the fortress of Metal. Do you feel it in every day life that in your town, metal is an important part of the subculture in your city… or is it just a hobby thing for many people like in other countries?

    Thanks!

  • Karen Kay

    When will all of these questions have answers?

  • http://www.conorschaefer.com/blog/ Conor

    Two questions.

    What do you think of the role of drugs in the creative process? Dark Tranquillity’s lyrics seem to reference altered states of consciousness quite frequently (“to make a chemical stand” from The Final Resistance comes to mind), although the lyrics could be alluding to a pharmaceutical culture, rather than one in which drugs such as marijuana are used liberally and recreationally.

    How do you identify religiously or philosophically? I’m not asking the basic “Do you believe in God” question, but rather pointing out that some of your lyrics seem to draw on a Daoist influence (Therein), whereas others take a more Gnostic or even Transcendentalist (Silence…). Would you place political affinities above traditional religious beliefs?

    Every time I’ve seen you perform live, I’ve found it truly inspirational. Your music means worlds to me; thank you for sharing it.

  • XxSNAPxX

    When you write lyrics is it like written as a poem or do you listen to the music and write lyrics specifically for that?

  • Fredrik

    what do you find most funny with been an musician in a so popular band?
    like, to play live, make the music or been in the studio?

  • Jason

    Why you haven’t return to the Fredman Studios to record?

  • Mitchell Shinderman

    Mikael — You are a God amongst mere mortals when it comes to vocalization. I am an aspiring vocalist, and I saw you at the NYC show and wasn’t disappointed in the least bit. What is the vocal style you use called, and how can I go about learning it?

  • abdllh

    Lethe is my favourite song.My girlfriend’s too.why didn’t you clips to the that song ?