Memory Garden is absolutely one of the best doom metal bands to have ascended from the underground in some time. You just have to experience this band to fully understand the sorrow and depression they unleash upon the unsuspecting world. They perform extremely gloomy epic doom mixed with elements of traditional metal. Their highly evocative sound recalls such classic bands as Candlemass and Manilla Road, with hints of Trouble and Black Sabbath. They also showcase a very modern style reminiscent of such bands as Solitude Aeturnus, Solstice, and Memento Mori. Yet, despite the comparisons, they retain an innovative style that is as refreshing in the crowded metal scene as it is captivating. Memory Garden's releases include a six-song 1993 self-titled demo, the rare "Blessed Are The Dead" 7" (1994), the stark "Forever" MCD on Heathendoom Records (1995), and the supremely masterful "Tides" CD, also on Heathendoom, (1996). Their debut CD on Metal Blade, "Verdict Of Posterity" (1999) was a bit of a departure as it contained a more groove-based approach with less doom appeal, but was still a solid effort . Their excellent new album, "Mirage", is out now on Metal Blade Records and returns the band to a much more mournful "Tides" like style. The band has also appeared on a number of compilations including a Hellion Records sampler, and Mercyful Fate, Black Sabbath, and Queensryche tribute CDs. Below is an interview with second guitarist Simon Johansson conducted via email. All rights reserved. A condensed version of this interview is printed in Psychedelic Fanzine issue #9/10. Check it out.

List band members' names, ages, and instruments.
Simon Johansson (24) lead guitar, Stefan Berglund (28) vocals, Andens Loostrom ( 29) rhythm guitar, Ken Johansson (28) bass, and Torn Bjorn (21) drums.

You play a very unique and innovative mixture of doom and progressive metal. Do you feel that your band is more doomy than progressive, or vice versa? Have you had any problems with people who can't fit your band solidly into one musical category?
In my eyes we are more of a doom metal band, but as you say, we have a lot of progressive influences in our music. On our earlier releases our sound was more doom oriented and the music was straighter. On the new album we have mixed in some power metal without compromising our doom foundation. The new material is more technical than before and is maybe a little harder to get into. But in my opinion the new songs have more to offer the listener. With each new listen you'll find new details you didn't pick up on before. Even though we have progressed in our music, the strong Memory Garden feeling is there. We actually have heard from people who feel it is bad to be unable to fix a label to our style. I really don't understand that way of thinking, as long as a band has good qualities, I don't give a shit about what style of music they play.

Okay, you've released two excellent CDs on Sweden's Heathendoom Records. How has the general response to those releases been?
The responses to our earlier releases have been very good. On the "Blessed Are The Dead" 7" we were awarded "Single Of The Week" by Kerrang magazine. It was kind of funny because bands like Bon Jovi were represented in that issue. Our biggest success so far is "Tides. " It received excellent reviews from all around the world, ranking highly in many European magazines. We have never been able to go on a regular tour because we were on Heathendoom. Don't get me wrong, they really wanted us to tour, but a small label like that can't afford huge touring costs. In my opinion Heathendoom will grow into something big if they keep doing everything as well as they are now. Every release from that label is extremely professional and looks very good. The response to our new album so far is also really good, so I hope it continues in that way.

Congratulations on signing with Metal Blade Records! How did the deal come about? Did you get a good deal with them?
Thank you! Actually Metal Blade contacted us. They had heard our earlier releases and thought they sounded good. One day they just called our singer and asked if we would be interested in signing with them. And, of course, we were. After that it took quite awhile before the whole deal was finalized. We felt there were a few things in the contract that we weren't satisfied with and it took awhile to work things out totally. The deal we have now with Metal Blade is good and the fact that it is such a big label is really cool. Now it will be a bit easier for us to reach out to people. Metal Blade has better distribution channels and is a highly respected company in the business.

Tell me a bit about the new album.
Our new album is entitled "Verdict Of Posterity." It contains 9 new songs. Some of the song titles are: "Carved In Stone," "Shadow Season," "Wasteland Foretold," "Amen," and so on. It is a little more progressive than our earlier releases. It is more technical and up-tempo. It might be a little harder to get into initially, but after a few listens it has more to offer than the previous record, I think. For this record we actually worked with a producer. We asked my close friend Mike Wead of Mercyfal Fate to produce it, and he was very happy to do so. It all worked out really well.

Why do you think the new record will be harder for people to get into? Has your style changed a lot or something? Don't tell me you're going to sell out!
No, there isn't going to be much of a style change. Our new material just contains many more small details. You'll need to listen to the album a few times to find them all. It will last longer and one will not get bored with it that fast. We use more acoustic guitars and choirs and stuff on this album.

Is it true that you once released a Christmas record?
Yes, that was the "Ta någon hårt i hand, så ger vi oss av till tomteland" 7" e.p. But it was not an official Memory Garden release. It was like a Christmas gift to all our closest friends. It contains four Swedish Christmas songs we rearranged. All the lyrics are in Swedish. We did it just for fun, and never put it up for sale.

How many copies were pressed? What was the reaction to it?
We pressed 300 copies. The reaction was very positive. It was recorded very fast and with practically no budget. We were quite surprised that it was so well appreciated.

Is it true that your band is named after the Trouble song, "Memory's Garden," from the "Manic Frustration" album? I know memory garden is another name for a graveyard, so I think it's certainly a proper name for your band.
Yes, that's true. It has no deeper meaning to us. The reason why we chose this name is because it sounds cool and because, as you say, it's a proper name for us.

Do you all still work day jobs? What are some of your hobbies?
Yes. The sad truth is we all still need to work. I install safety alarms for handicapped and elderly people. Stefan is a gravedigger. It's true! Anders is a truck driver and Tom works with stones. Ken works with mobile phones. We all love motorcycles, music, and beer.

What are some bands that have most influenced Memory Garden? I hear a little Trouble and Candlemass in your sound.
We are influenced by all kinds of bands. Everyone in the band has really different musical tastes. I'm really into the old Candlemass stuff, as is our bassist Ken. Bands such as Crimson Glory and Psychotic Waltz also are really great, in my opimon. Anders is really into Nevermore and that kind of music. So, we have radically different influences. I'm also influenced by Mike Wead's different projects. He is a really close friend of mine and we spend a lot of time hanging out, so it's natural to be influenced by his music.

Is there any chance you'll tour the States now that you are signed to Metal Blade?
I don't know. The only touring plans I've heard of is a European tour. We are supposed to support a bigger band sometime in early 1999, but I don't know which band it'll be yet. We would all really love to tour the U.S. but it's hard to get something like that put together. We'll just have to wait and see.

I noticed you thanked Solitude Aeturnus/Brain Ticket Records in the liner notes of "Tides." Are you well acquainted with John Perez and company? Is there any chance you'll do a tour with Solitude Aeturnus in the future? That would rule!
Yes, I've had some contact with John Perez. He is a big Memory Garden fan. We have talked a bit about touring together, but Solitude Aeternus have just completed a European tour and can't do another one for the same album. If we can make it to the States, we'd love to tour with them.

What happened to your old guitarist, Rick Gustafsson?
He left the band because he wanted to work more on his own projects. He has recorded some new material, but I don't know if he has a record deal. I haven't heard any of his new stuff, so I can't comment on how it sounds.

When did Memory Garden form? Were any of you in previous bands?
Memory Garden formed in 1992. 1 used to play in Abstrakt Algebra with Leif Edling of Candlemass, Mike Wead, and Mats Leven of the Yngwie Malmsteen band. We released an album in 1995 and played some European festivals. The band doesn't exist anymore, as Leif decided to reform Candlemass. I also am in the band Fifth Reason. Our druiumer Tom also plays in Memento Mori. He joined them before the "Songs For The Apocalypse Vol. IV" album. He also is in Mike Wead's "HemisFear" project. So, we have projects on the side, but Memory Garden is our main concern.

How often do you play live? What are some other bands you've played with or would like to in the future?
Not often. I think we've only played three gigs since we recorded the new album. In the past we have played with Hammerfall, Hellacopters, and Fifth Reason. It would be really cool to play with Mercyful Fate, but I doubt they'll do a European tour for the "Dead Again" album. I would also enjoy playing with Nevermore. They are a really good band.

Do you play any covers live? If so, what? Are there any plans to record any cool covers soon?
We used to play a few covers, but don't nowadays. We used to cover "Balls To The Wall" by Accept and "Looks That Kill" by Motley Crue. It was fun covering those songs, but it is much more important to play only our own stuff. We just recorded a cover of "Nightmare Be Thy Name" by Mercyful Fate. This will be on a Mercyful Fate tribute CD from Poland's Still Dead Productions.

How is the scene in Sweden nowadays? What are some of the bands you get along with in your area?
The scene here is pretty lame. Very little happens. It's really hard to get a good gig. People often want bands to play for free, which is impossible for us. I spend a lot of time with Mike Wead and the others in Memento Mori. I live in Stockholm and the other members live Kumla. When I go to pubs in Stockholm, I often meet the guys from Entombed, which is one of my favourite bands. I also spend a lot of time with the members of my other band, Fifth Reason.

Your lyrics are very dark and brooding, as well as obscure. Who writes them and what inspires them? Do any of you guys read H.P. Lovecraft?!
Anders writes most of the lyrics. On the new one he wrote seven. Tom wrote one and I wrote one. My lyrics are often about death and dreams. I like to write about mysterious things and to tell a story. I tend to write about what it is like to die and what goes through our minds as we dream. I don't know if any of the others read H.P. Lovecraft or not.

List what you consider to be the top five albums of all time.
Candlemass' "Nightfall," Hexenhaus' "Awakening," King Diamond's "Them," Psychotic Waltz's "Bleeding," and the Scorpions' "Virgin Killer."

If Memory Garden could best be described as an inanimate object, what would it be?
A tombstone.

Well, that's it from me. Add anything under the Heavens that you want.
I just want to say that I hope you enjoy our new album. Hopefully we will be able to come to the States for a tour. It would really rule! Doomly regards!

Check out the band's official website here: