Updated: 06/12/01

Darkane are more than just another extreme metal band from Sweden - just one listen to the latest album Insanity will confirm their musical individuality. With a wide variety of influences combined with a nightmarish lyrical content, Darkane is bound to gain a lot of attention and notoriety. And in spite of their recent photo shoot where they wrapped themselves tightly in plastic (and were rumored to have died!), the band will be making their North American debut at this year's Milwaukee Metalfest. We spoke with one of the founding members, amazingly brought back to life from that fateful photo session to talk to us here at Highwire Daze about the mighty force known as Darkane!

Highwire Daze: Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Darkane and how long the band has been together.

Christofer: My name is Christofer Malmström and I play the guitar. I also started up Darkane together with drummer Peter Wildoer in January 1998.

HD: Attractive album cover for Insanity -- who is the disturbed looking guy and what made you decide on that particular cover art?

Christofer: We tried to clone all our faces and see what the ultimate Darkane member would look like, and this is what came up with.

HD: Have you ever played over here in the States before and how did you wind up being booked at the Milwaukee Metalfest?

Christofer: This is our first time in the States. I have had two dreams in my life. One was to go to Japan with Darkane, and the other one was to get to the States. I'm really looking forward to it! We simply sent a mail to the Milwaukee staff, and they invited us to come.

HD: What is a live Darkane show like for those of us who have yet to see you play?

Christofer: It's a kick in your face! We give the audience more than just a metal show for the ears. We give them brutality, energy and a visual show as well. I can guarantee you that you won't be bored watching us live!

HD: In addition to Milwaukee, will there be any other Darkane dates here in the States?

Christofer: No, this will be the only one for this time. I really hope that we can come over and do a longer tour later.

HD: Where do you get the ideas for some of the lyrics on the Insanity album?

Christofer: I search my own mind and find some quite scary stuff that I write about. Peter writes mostly about insanity in the society, and I write about insanity in the brain.

HD: With so many extreme metal bands coming from Sweden these days, what do you think has set Darkane apart from the rest?

Christofer: I think we've found a quite unique style. I know it sounds like a cliché but we've got thousands of influences, and are not that influenced by other Swedish bands. We get our inspiration from movies, classical music, all sorts of artwork, and of course from other metal bands, but when we like something that another band has done, we really try to hide it as much as possible. But of course sometimes you can hear the obvious influences, like from Strapping Young Lad and Meshuggah and bands like that.

HD: Will your first album Rusted Angel be re-released through Century Media?

Chrsitofer: That would be very cool, but I haven't heard anything about it. I still have no idea how much Rusted Angel has sold so far in the States.

HD: Whose idea was it for the strange photo session where it looks like the entire band was wrapped in plastic?

Christofer: It was an old idea from our former band Agretator (1991-1998). When we recorded a mini-CD in 1996 we put our heads in a scanner and when we had the pictures in the computer. The layout-guy put on some effects that made it look like we were wrapped up in plastic. We thought it was cool, so we did it for real. But the album was never distributed so we thought that we could use it again for Darkane since we liked the idea.

HD: What about the rumors that the members of Darkane actually died during the photo shoot and were replaced by Swedish schoolteachers? :-)

Christofer: It's true... hopefully we'll be brought back from hell in time for the Milwaukee show.

HD: In addition to the Milwaukee Metalfest, what are some of the other future plans for Darkane?

Christofer: We will play some festivals during the summer and write as much new material as we can. The weekend after the Milwaukee fest we will play a big Dutch festival. Hopefully we will tour in October and November, and in January 2001 we will record our third album.

HD: If there was one thing you'd like a listener to remember about Darkane after hearing your music, what would it be?

Christofer: That it is the best music they have ever heard in their entire life!

HD: Do you have any messages for Darkane or metal fans here in the States?

Christofer: If you haven't heard Insanity yet, go out and get it today! And if you've got it, keep listening to it until your ears bleed, because it will get better every spin. And come to Milwaukee and bang your head off! Darkane are looking forward to this event as hell!!! Take care of each other (Jerry Springer) and stay metal forever!

Christofer Malmström live at Milwaukee Metalfest XV. More Darkane pics from Milwaukee coming soon!