First of all, ABLAZE MY SORROW doesn't seem to be a typical Swedish band, although you couldn't escape some borrowing from DARK TRANQUILLITY, I believe… Do you consider them to be your 'godfathers' and the most mighty inspiration?

- I can agree with you that we might not be a typical Swedish band. But when it comes to DARK TRANQUILLITY I must say that you're wrong. I don't consider D.T. to influence us at all. And as you might have understood by now: No, I don't consider them to be our godfathers. I would consider bands such as SLAYER, DEATH, AT THE GATES and KREATOR to be our godfathers as you seem to prefer to call them. Nothing bad about D.T. though, I like "Skydancer" and "A Moonclad Reflection" 7"EP. But since you say that "The Plague" sounds like "The Gallery" I'd better check it out.

And once again concerning DARK TRANQUILLITY… Your second album reminds me of their «The Gallery» a bit. Don't you think that it's somehow boring to release the CD's of the same kind? And finally, don't you afraid to become very «dark tranquillish» in time to come?

- I have only heard "The Gallery" once or twice. I don't appreciate this kind of questions.

Tell me few words of your first demo, «For Bereavement We Cried». Does it bear the same vocals, the same guitar sound as your full-length albums do? Or perhaps, it's simply straight-forward death metal?

- Our first demo, "For Bereavement We Cried", was more in the black / doom / heavy metal vein. But when we later on got a new drummer we got the chance to speed our music up a bit. But we still have a lot of both black and heavy metal in our music.

Your bio says that «… in the end of 1994 No Fashion made their first contact with the band, but nothing happened». What does it mean? Is No Fashion so lazy and passive? Then why did you finally signed with this label?

- At the time when we first got in contact with No Fashion it was owned by Tomas Nyqvist (Putrefaction mag). He sent us a contract which we signed. But when Tomas got some trouble he had to sell No Fashion to House Of Kicks. This meant that our contract somehow was worthless. But when we had released our second demo No Fashion (H.O.K) sent us a new contract which we signed. That's the whole story.

There're three tracks from demo'95 featured on «If Emotions Still Burn» CD. What are their titles? Were they re-recorded for the full length album or not?

- Yes, the tracks are re-recorded for the album. The tracks are "The Rain That Falls...", "Denial(The Way Of The Strong)" and "My Last Journey".

At the first look, your debut CD seems to be a release of typical doom-metal band. It's title («If Emotions Still Burn»), the cover (by Kristian Wahlin), the song titles («The Rain That Falls…», «My Last Journey»), and even the band's name - all of it made me to think of you as of doom metal scene's representatives… However, right after listening to the first track, I realized that I was utterly wrong… wrong, but never disappointed. Did you want to confuse doom metal fans that way, eh?

- No, we don't try to confuse people. The fact that the logo looks kind of like a doom-logo is because it's painted after the cover and because we needed a logo that fitted the cover-art. The lyrics might be a bit depressive and doomy but that's simply because that?s the way I write.

How did co-founders of ABLAZE MY SORROW, Magnus Carlsson and Martin Quist, found others to complete the band? Was it announcement in the local newspaper, booze together or what?

- I have been a friend with Martin since the age of 5. But I knew Magnus since before too. None of them is now in the band, but we are still friends and drink together almost every weekend.

Right before «The Plague» recording, Martin Quist left the band. What happened?  Is he still a friend of yours?

- He just got tired of it all. But one week before the recording Fredrik joined the band. I must say he did one helluva job. Fredrik is still a member of the band and is now doing most of the lyrics.

«As The Dove Falls Torn Apart» features extremely impressive «clean» vocals, however I couldn't get into one thing… is it a male or a female singing there??

- It's a male voice. I won't mention to him that you asked, okay?

You tend to call your music «death metal», right? But as I already said, your art contains few traces of doom metal, besides there're plenty of black metal elements in your style… And, finally, your last effort bears some echoes of heavy metal… Consequently, I'd like to know your personal opinion when it comes to defining ABLAZE MY SORROW's style…

- We are a death metal band with influences from thrash / speed / heavy / black and doom metal. Razor sharp death metal.

Fredrik possesses really impressive and memorable voice… Is ABLAZE MY SORROW his first band ever or we could hear him singing in the other bands?

- He used to be the singer of CROMLECH (R.I.P), a brilliant band that released a great demo called "... And Darkness Fell". Our new guitar-player Anders Lundin is a former CROMLECH-member too, in fact.

My wife doesn't like the music I'm into at all, therefore I'm wondering if you have the same problem…?

- My girlfriend doesn't like my taste of music either but I don't see that as a very big problem.

What Scandinavian bands are you in contact with? Is there any scruples between bands? Or every musician you know lives according to "friends will be friends" attitude?

- I'm in contact with several scandinavian bands. I guess it's like in all other places. Bands compete to become the most true and hard. And since many bands don't succeed in the musical way they'll be forced to do it through spreading shit and lies about other bands. Childish? Hm.....yeah.

So, now goes last-but-not-least question: are you planning any tours next year? And - if so – aren't you going to visit Russia?

- No, there are no tours planned. But it would be great to visit Russia. Hail and cheers!!!!! THRASH INSANE OR DIE IN PAIN.

ABLAZE MY SORROW contact -
Email: ablazemysorrow@hotmail.com