Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Swedish doom metallers MEMORY GARDEN formed in 1992 and released their fifth studio album “Doomain” in April 2013 via Metal Blade Records. Lead guitarist Simon Johansson joined the band in 1996 and as he loves playing music so much, he is also in the metal bands WOLF and BIBLEBLACK.

Metal Shock Finland‘s Blackdiamond recently caught up with Simon to talk about the new MEMORY GARDEN album amongst other things. Some excerpts from the interview can be read below and the full audio can be listened to on the player:

Discussing the music of MEMORY GARDEN and the album “Doomain,” Simon explained:

“During the years we have developed and have taken bits and pieces from various styles. It’s not like the traditional graveyard doom with only one riff for ten minutes, it’s heavy and melodic and there are lots of things happening in the songs; we work a lot with harmonies and try to make interesting music.”

Simon explained about his early days playing guitar:

“I started playing for real when I was ten. I’m a close friend of Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND), he’s from the same town as I am and he went to school with my brother. He was like the rock star of that town, he was really good, I looked up to him a lot. Then he got the gig in CANDLEMASS and I’ve been following his footsteps. He’s been teaching me and been like a role model to my playing. We played in a band called ABSTRAKT ALGEBRA together in the ’90’s, then in BIBLEBLACK.”

“Doomain” has also been released on black and coloured vinyl. We discussed the role of vinyl in today’s music world and Simon expressed:

” I don’t have a crystal ball, but the way I see it, the CD will disappear and you will only have digital downloads and the vinyl LP’s as well, I think that’s what will happen. You see a lot of people buying vinyl again and it’s really getting popular, it’s excellent, I love it! It’s kinda like a piece of art.”

“The Evangelist”: