Interview We Are To Blame

Swedish melodic metal band We Are To Blame discuss their ambitious new album Omega Origin, exploring its sound, songwriting, darker themes, resilience, and the hope that drives their music.

1. Omega Origin is described as your most ambitious release so far. Looking back at your previous EP Altar, what changed most in the way you approached songwriting, production, and your identity as a band?

The Writing process looked pretty similar between those 2 releases, but we managed to finetune the production elements as we had a clearer vision of our sound and where we wanted to go. The single "Women In This World" was the first step, and then we just kept adjusting our formula until the album.

2. The album combines alternative melodic metal with progressive, electronic, and symphonic elements, while moving between clean vocals, growls, and screams. How did you decide which elements belonged in each song without losing the band's core identity?

For us, it's about listening to the song and let it show us where it needs to go. Every element is there because it serves the song, but ever since our first EP we have incorporated different elements so that in itself is part of our sound.

3. Johan, you said these are “the best songs I have ever written.” What makes the songwriting on Omega Origin feel different or more personal to you compared with your earlier material?

I Believe a big part of it is that we now have a vision of what we sound like as a band, and with that in mind I can write Music for our sound. But knowing that also helps in breaking the mold, trying new things and pushing boundaries, even while keeping the core of what makes us We Are To Blame.

4. The album explores the idea of “the beginning of the end,” reflecting a world affected by uncertainty and darkness. Where did this concept come from, and how did it influence the writing of the music?

Well, you don't have to look hard to find that we live in quite a chaotic World at the moment. Alot of what is happening around us is pretty dark and grim, and you would have to be fairly isolated to not be affected by that. And of course, that will affect the Music we write as well.

5. Despite the darker themes, Omega Origin also carries a message of resilience and hope. How important was it for you to balance darkness with the idea that something new can rise from the ashes?

Very important. Without hope, we just give up. Even as the World is on fire, we have to keep going and Believe that tomorrow may be better than yesterday. And i do Think we have the capability to make the World a better Place, even if it's going to take some time to get there.

6. Your three singles—“Poison,” “Alone,” and “Life Lost Love”—each introduced listeners to the album before its release. How did you choose these three songs to represent Omega Origin?

We wanted songs that had strong and memorable choruses, but also songs that showed different sides of us as a band. "Poison" is pretty straightforward, "Alone" leans more towards the melodeath vibe and "Life Lost Love" is kind of a mix of all parts that makes up We Are To Blame. So between the Three, i Think we managed to give people a good overview of the album.

7. “She Is Me” was written by Alice Hartvig, while most of the album began with ideas from Johan Karlsson. How did Alice's songwriting approach differ, and what did her contribution bring to the overall album?

Alice definitely has a different way of Writing than me, and it took the album to Another dimension that i could not have done by myself. I Think it is an amazing addition to the album, and a very different vibe of We Are To Blame.

8. The band's music balances massive, hook-driven choruses with heavier riffs and extreme vocals. What role do melody and memorable hooks play in your songwriting process?

For me, the melody is Everything. For me personally, it's the easiest way to connect to a song. But the key is to find the right riff, the right rhythm section to make a whole out of all the pieces.

9. Your influences range from cinematic pop ballads to melodic death metal, with bands such as Amaranthe, Evanescence, Delain, and Evergrey mentioned as reference points. What other artists or musical styles have influenced Omega Origin in unexpected ways?

It's hard to pinpoint specific artists or musicians, but a big part of what makes our sound is that everyone in the band has widely different influences, but also have the ability to translate their influences to fit our sound. I Think that makes a bigger difference than specific Music that we listen to.

10. The album was produced by Johan, while the mixing was handled by Johan and drummer Sebastian “Seppo” Lindgren, with Seppo also mastering it. How did having the production process so closely connected to the band affect the final sound?

Mixing with Seppo was great, he is a very talented producer and engineer. Having someone that understands the sound and vibe of the band, that knows their way around the production aspect and that had more distance to the material than me made a World of difference to the finished Product.

11. Recording took place across JSK Audio, KLANG Studio, Svefi, and your home studios. Did working in different environments affect the performances or atmosphere of the songs, and were there any particularly memorable recording moments?

Since we all live in different places it was simply the most practical solution to record at different places. It also allowed us to take the time to do Everything properly, and make sure that every part was as good as we could make it.

12. Now that Omega Origin is finally out, what do you hope listeners take away from the album—not only musically, but from its themes of struggle, uncertainty, transformation, and hope?

Of course, we hope that everyone enjoys the album, and that we at least can give an hour of escape where the listener can just disappear into the Music for a while. Music affects everyone differently, and we hope that everyone can find their own joy in this album.

We Are To Blame

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