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INTERVIEW WITH
Emetropia - Credit: Emetropia
Their Facebook bio describes them as "Energetic and dynamic performance that aims to bring listeners the future of Swedish symphonic metal." With an introduction like that we were intrigued to find out more about Swedish band Emetropia, what makes them tick and what they have planned for the future.
Firstly, who is Emetropia?
Emetropia is a symphonic metal band from Linköping, Sweden. We describe ourselves as “an energetic and dynamic performance that aims to bring listeners to the future of Swedish symphonic metal”.
Right now, the band consists of Lisa Wallenberg (Vocals), Liam Strand (keyboards, backing vocals, songwriter), Olle Renius (guitars), and Oscar Heikkinen (drums). We all were there back in 2017 when the band was formed!
What drew you towards the Symphonic Rock style?
Symphonic metal is probably one of the most versatile genres in metal. Today, it basically means that the music consistently uses an orchestra in metal songs. This is perfect for us as we like to experiment with genres. A symphonic band can have
songs that are a bit faster and simpler (like power metal) as well as songs that are heavier and more complex (like prog metal). However, we do need to keep epic orchestras, choirs, and vocals, to keep the symphonic label, but that’s not a problem, we like our metal to be majestic!
Who would you say are your biggest influences?
As a band, we have a lot of different influences. Lisa is more black metal, Liam is more power metal, Olle is more prog metal, and Oscar is more melodic death metal. There are, of course, many overlaps between the genres and we all enjoy bits and
pieces from each of these genres. We find common ground in bands like Epica, Amorphis, and Therion.
Your single ‘New Dawn’, released back in August is incredible. How do you write your music, is it a collective effort or is there a main songwriter in the band?
Thank you very much! Hats off for Visions of Atlantis who did the original song, but it was fun recording the cover as an homage for joining them on their Pirates tour back in 2022.
Liam is the main songwriter. He usually records a full demo with orchestras, drums, bass, guitars, and some guidelines for the vocals. Then, Lisa writes the lyrics, while Liam and Olle produce the rest of the songs. In the end, all members are allowed to have a say on basically anything and we’re all 100% satisfied with every song we release.
Liam, Olle and Oscar have recently released a single as Hans & Valter, do you all have separate projects other than Emetropia?
Liam is the busiest one. As a songwriter of different genres, he needs several bands as an output for his creativity. Right now, he’s got Hans & Valter (power metal), Radiohimlen (synthpop), Liam Strand (indie rock), and a music production company called “Oakensource Productions”. Oscar is active in a melodic death metal band called “Lords of Decay”, while Olle is pursuing a side-career as a studio engineer and live technician. Lisa’s musical focus is on Emetropia.
What does the future look like for Emetropia?
We have just been in the studio and recorded two singles, and we aim to record two more this spring! Instead of waiting several years without releasing music, we’re taking a more continuous approach and recording songs as soon as they’re finished.
Emetropia is a symphonic metal band from Linköping, Sweden. We describe ourselves as “an energetic and dynamic performance that aims to bring listeners to the future of Swedish symphonic metal”.
Right now, the band consists of Lisa Wallenberg (Vocals), Liam Strand (keyboards, backing vocals, songwriter), Olle Renius (guitars), and Oscar Heikkinen (drums). We all were there back in 2017 when the band was formed!
What drew you towards the Symphonic Rock style?
Symphonic metal is probably one of the most versatile genres in metal. Today, it basically means that the music consistently uses an orchestra in metal songs. This is perfect for us as we like to experiment with genres. A symphonic band can have
songs that are a bit faster and simpler (like power metal) as well as songs that are heavier and more complex (like prog metal). However, we do need to keep epic orchestras, choirs, and vocals, to keep the symphonic label, but that’s not a problem, we like our metal to be majestic!
Who would you say are your biggest influences?
As a band, we have a lot of different influences. Lisa is more black metal, Liam is more power metal, Olle is more prog metal, and Oscar is more melodic death metal. There are, of course, many overlaps between the genres and we all enjoy bits and
pieces from each of these genres. We find common ground in bands like Epica, Amorphis, and Therion.
Your single ‘New Dawn’, released back in August is incredible. How do you write your music, is it a collective effort or is there a main songwriter in the band?
Thank you very much! Hats off for Visions of Atlantis who did the original song, but it was fun recording the cover as an homage for joining them on their Pirates tour back in 2022.
Liam is the main songwriter. He usually records a full demo with orchestras, drums, bass, guitars, and some guidelines for the vocals. Then, Lisa writes the lyrics, while Liam and Olle produce the rest of the songs. In the end, all members are allowed to have a say on basically anything and we’re all 100% satisfied with every song we release.
Liam, Olle and Oscar have recently released a single as Hans & Valter, do you all have separate projects other than Emetropia?
Liam is the busiest one. As a songwriter of different genres, he needs several bands as an output for his creativity. Right now, he’s got Hans & Valter (power metal), Radiohimlen (synthpop), Liam Strand (indie rock), and a music production company called “Oakensource Productions”. Oscar is active in a melodic death metal band called “Lords of Decay”, while Olle is pursuing a side-career as a studio engineer and live technician. Lisa’s musical focus is on Emetropia.
What does the future look like for Emetropia?
We have just been in the studio and recorded two singles, and we aim to record two more this spring! Instead of waiting several years without releasing music, we’re taking a more continuous approach and recording songs as soon as they’re finished.
