Karma: Considering you are the main lyrist, do you think good lyrics can make or break a band?

 Nils: Oh definitely! Maybe not make or break a band, but I do believe they are important. I think that lyrics, at least in this genre, not to be cheesy… I don’t know, it’s hard to explain but music is always number one in any case. Lyrics can’t be really, really crappy ‘cos then, it’s not gonna work out.

 Karma: In developing a song to whom or what inspires you?

 Nils: I guess the world, whatever comes to mind. Over the past couple of years, a lot of things have happened. And it’s sort of hard not to take notice of what’s going on around you. I always look for topics that go hand and hand with our songs. It’s really easy to look around you and get upset about things that are going on, you know.

 Karma: Hmmph, very true! Speaking of influences, what albums, and/or person influenced you to become the musician you are today and to whom are you listening to today?

 Nils: It’s always changing, when I grew up I was only into bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and all those bands but I always go back to the classics you know. [Smiles] I rarely put on one of those CD's to this day. I love country music for example, I love pop music, I love really cheesy melodic poppy AOR and whatnot. I love all of the melodic cheesy stuff so it probably that or just radio. [Laughs sheepishly]

 Karma: Then again, it’s good to be well rounded, that way because you don’t get caught in just one thing or one frame of mind.

 Nils: Definitely and we’re all different, everyone in the band’s different. Some of the guys in the band are really into brutal death metal and one guy can be into jazz or whatever so I think it helps us when we write songs together.

 Karma: Speaking of songs, which song off Grand Illusion is your favorite?

 Nils: I guess it’s either “Fools Never Die” or “Still Alive”.

 Karma: Why are those songs your favorites?

 Nils: I think that the important thing in our sound and what would develop over the years is the balance between really melodic and still having an edge and some sort of aggressive spark in our music and attitude. I think a lot of bands lack that at least in our genre; they’re only melodic and that’s it. Its melody, upon melody and nothing happens, you know and you just get sick of it in the long run. I think our strength is that we can write really melodic and memorable songs and still have them come out somewhat aggressive more punkish than a lot of other bands can. I think it shows in those songs, especially “Fools Never Die”. It’s really mainstream orientated; I think a lot of people that aren’t really into metal can relate to it and can dig it. Still it’s not cheesy and it’s not pop so, I think that’s the most important thing when we write music and our strength as a band and musicians! I think Jonny [Lindkvist] has a big part in that; his voice is great, you now.

 Karma: It’s amazing especially on “Still Alive” I love the build up in the song and the way Jonny’s voice is built around the song…it’s simply amazing.

 Nils: Yeah, I agree! Definitely!