Days of Recreation are seemingly a thing of the past for Sweden’s ever potent and premiere Prog Metal band, Evergrey.

On 4/20/2004, the dark “Priest” of Prog Metal, lead singer, Tom S. Englund and Associate “Priest”, guitarist, Henrik Danhage were kind enough to open the doors to the Church of Evergrey as I was ushered through the halls of “The Inner Circle” of their world as we discussed their upcoming release on April 27th, religion, and life on the road and more. As the band enters the new age of The Inner Circle of projected stardom, also the title of their latest effort; they are bound to gain a plethora of converts as they just recently completed their first wave of domination over the States with their latest spring tour in direct support of Iced Earth and Children of Bodom.

After listening to the album in its entirety, I received the mental image of a band-aid being ripped off a once wounded, covered soul. A band aid that society has placed on the sensitive subject of child abuse within the sacred and sealed walls the church in hopes to sweep the horrific events into oblivion. I must say Tom has done a damn good job in “Waking (the) Blind” touching on this taboo. Shining a light on hypocrisy that exists in religion and highlighting the evil that lurks behind the white collar, the clothe. The album boldly outlines human suffering & frailty while offering hope to the irredeemably wronged and broken. Once where hopelessness and despair reigned, you are released from (any) bondage of pain and suffering as you're cleansed by Tom’s intoxicating, raspy vocals coupled with the angelic, soothing sounds that emanate from his wife, Carina Englund as it washes over you like holy water in a baptism. 

Interviewer: Karma E. Omowale

Candid photos: Erika Kristen Watt 

Service Commences  

Karma: I was reading that The Inner Circle was based on the concept on the last track of Recreation Day, “Unforgivable” (their previous release Recreation Day). What was your behind the new release?

Tom: [With a raised eyebrow,  a smile soon crosses his face as  he proceeds to answer the question] Yes. [The Inner Circle] is a conceptual album about being caught up within a religious cult…how easily religious fanatics can become big and powerful. It’s a story that is told from everybody’s point of view on how you deal with it and how others deal with it.  It shows how you can fall deeper and deeper into a state of apathy, losing control of: yourself and your dreams.  Eventually you give yourself over to the cult.  It’s not specific to one religious group; it can relate to Christians, Muslims, Jews, Satanists…it really doesn’t matter. [The album] it is dark, melodic metal with a… cinematic feel to it…it has a lot of heart and soul. [As a smile crosses his face again, he continues]

The cool thing about Evergrey, I think, is that we have a lot of [on their appeal to the masses] we have [a lot of different fans] black metal fans, death metal fans, Prog metal fans, so that covers all spectrums of music. Basically, that is of course… as long as people see us at a show; we almost immediately win them over [Laughs] 

Karma: [As a smile now crosses my face as well] Are you planning on touring until the release of the album or is this in conjunction with it? 

Tom: This is all going on five weeks after the release. 

Karma: So then you're going back to Europe to tour?

[At this point Henrik enters the room, flashes a smile, says hello (to Erika & myself), he then speaks to Tom in Swedish, Tom responds in-kind and Henrik promptly takes a seat next to him]

Tom: To play some festivals. 

Karma:  Then are you coming back? 

Tom & Henrik: Hopefully! [In unison] 

Henrik: I think we're going to come back, probably, likely in the winter.

Tom: Because we also need to do Europe as well, of course.

Henrik: Good luck’s on our side with all the media… 

Tom: ...with all the media attention we got from MTV.

Karma: How did that go for you?  [In reference to their appearance on Headbangers Ball on April 17^th] 

Tom: It went really, really, really well!  We have two videos in rotation, on a program that's, I don't know, what is it 2 hours? 

Karma: Yes, it is a 2-hour show.  So it's "I'm Sorry" then you have the new one that's out… 

Tom: "Blinded", "I'm Sorry" & the new one is coming next week.  So then, its three videos and they told us that's never happened! 

Henrik: They've never done that before [airing three videos from one band] 

Tom: That's never happened within a six month [period]. 

Henrik: [We owe an] extremely big amount to MTV. 

Karma: What's going to be the first single off The Inner Circle? 

Tom: It's called "A Touch of Blessing" and it's also the first time we had a really big budget as far as the video goes. And it really shows in the video as well.  If you compare the two, "Blinded" and "I'm Sorry", I think we paid $30,000 dollars or something like that for both of them.   

Karma: It's a great video. [In reference to “I’m Sorry”  smiles cross both countenances] 

Tom: But we spent $70,000 on one video! That's the only basic thing [we've done] before the release. More money and more time to do this.  Everyone seems to love it. 

Karma: What's your favorite song off the new album? 

Henrik: [chimes in quickly] "Faith Restored"! 

Tom: Henrik says "Faith Restored" [chuckles] I don't know… 

Henrik: All is good. 

Tom: Yeah! [Boisterous laughter ensues from the two of them] 

Henrik: It's ten great kids.  Too many songs that we have an appreciation for. 

Tom: That's the thing also, it's by far the most mature and sort of "even" album we've done.  Either you'll like it or love it or you not like it at all.  The quality is definitely as good as it could be from us at that time. 

Karma: I can't remember the name of the title… When and Sleep… 

Henrik: No sleep for the weary? 

[Everyone laughs, and then Tom turns and looks to me in amazement] 

Tom: You're great!  

Karma: [Smiles] It's AWESOME! 

Tom: Wha…what song is that? 

Karma: Track 8.

Henrik: "Where All Good Sleep"! 

Karma: [I nod my head] It's beautiful. 

Tom: God, I don't even know what song that is off the top of my head.  We've had 5 different titles for every song at least.

Karma: It's the one about the kid being healed…

Tom: Really? [Looks in amazement]

Karma: It's a great song.

Tom: Thank you. [He smiles appreciatively as Henrik beams as well]

Karma: No, thank you!

Tom: Anytime. 

Karma: I was reading an interview about your connection with Wicca. So are you still practicing?

Tom: Oh no! That was, like, way back sometime. I don't even know where you read that!

Karma: One of the [archived] interviews on your web site actually!

Tom: Oh yeah?

Karma: Um huh.

Tom: Okay. Hmmm…

[All laughs]

Tom: When we first started, we were very much into all that stuff! (Black metal). As time would pass we have sort of… [grew out of] that kind of…family… Unfortunately, that's the way it is.

Erika: As far as some of the music that's coming out of your region, who are you listening to?

Tom: I can tell you what bands we're NOT listening to!  We're not listening to Dark Tranquillity!  Okay?!

Karma: [Nervous laughter] Okay, should we NOT ask why you're not listening to 'em?

Tom: We think they suck!!!  [Uproarious laughter from everyone]

[Note: later in talking to Tom & Henrik we found out that they are friends with DT, but they just don't like they're music and DT is aware their sentiments]

Tom: Well, what bands do we listen to?  [Turns to Henrik]

Henrik: [Through a thick Swedish accent] Ulver.  

Karma: Have you toured with them yet? 

Henrik: No.  We were suppose to. 

Tom: Actually the thing is, in November, we got the chance to open for Ozzy Osbourne in Scandinavia and be the only support band. At the same time, Tim, from Face the Music, called and asked if we wanted to do the Ulver tour here. So we said no, of course. We couldn't make it to both!  Then he [Ozzy] broke his fucking back! But it all worked out because if we did that tour the album [waving his hand] would've suffered.  

Karma: The Inner Circle! 

Tom: [bobbing head] Whatever it's called! 

Karma: That’s okay, I can tell you these things…so it's fine.  [chuckling] 

Tom: I'll hand it over to you and now it's yours!  We don't care anymore!  [All laughs] 

Karma: Just one last question, what is the one thing you would like for your American audience to know about you that they don’t already?  

Henrik: [looks at Tom and they both fall over with a hearty guffaw] Yeah, that the majority of us are single! 

Karma: Really!!  Which ones? [Now silence has befallen and all laughter has ceased]  Well, thanks you guys!  That’s about it…  I’d like to thank the two of you for talking with me. 

[Tom & Henrik both smile and nod as their attention is turned towards Erika] 

Erika: If it’s okay, I’d like to take a couple of candid shots….but, uh, Henrik’s half clad [sporting only a towel and some under clothing] 

Tom: That's the way he is! That's the way he likes it, so you can take the picture!   

                        Service Ends

During the opening of Iced Earth’s 2-hour set, I ran into Tom again, as he and the rest of the guys were hanging amongst their fans as a bevy of beer was purchased for them.  We chatted briefly as I too was a contributor to their onslaught of good liquid fortune.  [As I hand Tom his beer…we toast] 

Karma: Just out of idle curiosity, how do you split your time up between Nightrage & Evergrey? 

Tom: What?  I'm not in Nightrage; I did a couple of tracks with them. Where did you read that I was a member in Nightrage? 

Karma: Music Choice, it's a cable based Metal TV show that gives "facts" on the artists. 

Tom: No! They are wrong! 

Karma: Oh, I'm sorry, glad I asked! 

Tom: That's okay… 

Karma: Going back to touring… I know you haven’t been to many cities this go round, what would you say has been your favorite city so far?   

Tom: Yeah, we just started the tour but I like Chicago a lot, it reminds me of Gothenburg…canals. [In comparison to waterways - rivers & lakes] 

Karma: What is your favorite part of touring? 

Tom: The free beer from our fans! [Both laugh] This tour will be good for the band since we are touring with Iced Earth. [As the glint in his eyes ignites] All the bands on this tour are melodic, it is a better than the previous tour with Arch Enemy. This tour is tailored more for us where we can influence the crowd and win them over. Its what really matters! 

Karma: As I am sure you will receive MANY converts!! 

Tom: I hope so! [Smiling] 

Karma: What has been the one down side of touring? 

Tom: Being away from my family; I really miss my little girl. 

Karma: Aww, and what's her name? 

Tom: Her name is Salina. [As he points to his right, upper arm to reveal the tattoo on his upper arm with his daughter's name on it]. 

Karma: Wow!  I am sure that must be hard!! Tom, I'd like to thank you again for chatting with me.  I will let you get back to your adoring public that wants to talk to you. 

Tom: Thank you, take care!  

To all my metal brothers & sisters, mass has ended!! Let us now go in peace!!  AMEN

I'd like to thank Tom & Henrik for granting the interview and speaking with FourteenG...In the meantime - Stay Grey!!

* Click here for 2008 interview with Tom

* here for 2006 with Tom

* here for 2005 interview with Henrik