I was recording Altered Aeon and I was amazed by Henric's drumming and I asked him if he would be interested in forming a new band; indeed he was. Than we asked Per if he also would like to be a part of that band and he was also thrilled about the idea! Then we knew that Christian was a very talented vocalist so he joined the horde, now we only needed the best bass-player in Sweden so we just stole him hehe..

What's the meaning behind the name-Scar Symmetry?

Scar Symmetry?......Henric came up with that name, I was a bit sceptic at first but then he explained; Scar Symmetry is supposed to symbolize the emotional scars you receive from living a human life because no one goes unmarked through life, I think. The band name also has a certain balance in it because it's a combination of a "hard" word (Scar) and a "soft" word (Symmetry), so there's some yin/yang-shit going on as well.

Before joining Scar Symmetry, you were in Carnal Forge, Centinex, and World Below. What's the biggest difference between those bands and what you're doing now?

It's hard to put the finger on what's different, but for me this feels very fresh and I feel that I have grown as a musician with Scar Symmetry. Every member of the band has a different musical background and we get along very well!! Per is the best guitarist I've ever heard, and to be in the same band as him feels like a big honour! I'm very proud of all the members in the band they're all superb human beings. All other bands I've played in or play with are also great, but this is the first time I've been totally blown away by hearing the final result, I can almost not believe I'm in this band!!!

When the band formed in 2004, you released a one song demo with the track "Seeds of Rebellion" and were quickly penned a record deal. Were you expecting to be signed so quickly, especially with just a one song demo?

Well... The demo was never released really. We just sent it to Omer at Cold Records and he gave us a deal right away. He loved our song so much he wanted to make love to his Hi-Fi-system after hearing it haha.

Speaking of record labels, I have to admit, I'm a bit confused on something. On the European Metal Blade website, it says that "Symmetric in Design" was slated for release on February 7th, through them, but your album was released through Nuclear Blast on September 6th. What's the deal?

It was actually released through Metal Blade in February, but only in Europe. Then it was released in Japan in April through Soundholic, but these releases are licensed from Cold Records, our first record label, but now we have switched from Cold to Nuclear Blast. NB will release all our stuff in the future both in Europe and the US! If this sounds confusing I can tell you that it's much more confusing than you could ever imagine.

Although "Symmetric in Design" has only been out for a short time now, what kind of feedback has the band received on it? I personally loved it, so I'm just curious to see what you have heard from other people.

We have gotten mostly superb reviews everywhere so that feels good! But most important is that all members of the band are satisfied with the album, and we are!! I think it's a perfect debut album; it doesn't feel restricted in any way and it feels like on next album nothing is impossible. We will try to break all limits and just do what feels right without thinking about what others will think about it!!

Taking into consideration that Scar Symmetry's sound is fairly unique in the sense that you could still be considered death metal, but still produce, catchy and melodic music, what was the decision behind making this type of music?

It was really not a decision, this is what our songs sound like when we play together, each member puts his personal touch to every song then this is the outcome. The only decision we made was that each and every one of us would be open-minded about the whole making of the album and not "dis" any riffs or melodies because they sound strange or "gay" or whatever, and just let the music flow! The whole idea was to let this band be free from musical-restraints! Now luckily enough we're not totally crazy or drug-abusers so the music sounds quite normal to most ears anyway.

Throughout your musical career, who are some of the bands that have influenced you the most and have helped mold you into who and what you are today?

When I was 5 or 6 I bought my first album: MSG:Ready to Rock.. So that's when I realized I wanted to play guitar. Then I started to listen to Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon and stuff like that which I still enjoy listening to. Then I saw/heard Wasp, they were so cool I could have sold my mom for 1dollar just to be as cool as Blackie. Then I heard Metallica and Testament, wow, I thought they were insane, then I got Slayer: Reign in Blood and couldn't understand how anyone could possible play that fast. Then started listening to Death Metal and I haven't stopped with that yet either, the older I get the more brutal music I want to torture my ears with, strange!?

What are some of the key factors that you think makes Scar Symmetry successful?

Depends on how you define successful. I don't think we will ever sell as much records as Metallica or anything; that is also not important for us at all! Everyone in the band has jobs and/or families, so our lives are not depending on how many records we can fool kids to buy with stupid videos featuring half naked women and cool posing. But we will be successful as long as we're true to our music and to ourselves!

What kind of touring can we expect out of the band to help promote the new album? Any U.S. tour dates?

Nothing confirmed yet, but we will come to the US as soon as possible, even if I have to drive my own car from Sweden we will come and rip up your stages leaving nothing but a burning stage (and maybe some dirty underwear) behind hehe.

Who are some of your favorite bands right now? Who do you have playing in your stereo?

King Diamond, Nevermore, Cryptopsy, Mortician, Testament, Voivod and tons of Black Sabbath!!

The reason I'm asking this is because I really like your sound, but is Scar Symmetry a permanent entity or is this just a side project?

Scar Symmetry is a real band and not a side-project, this is our new band! Every member of that band puts both their heart and soul into this band and it feels like we will never stop, we will just evolve!

Are there any final thoughts you'd like to share with people who haven't heard Scar Symmetry? Is there anything you'd like to say for those who have heard?

If you haven't heard us yet I think we are definitely worth checking out, there's a chance you might not like it but give it a few more spins in your CD player and I hope you will feel it growing into something you'll really like for years to come!! And to you who have heard us: Thank you very much indeed for taking your time to listen to our CD!! And thank you very much for the interview!!!! Cheers to all Metal heads in the US!