Samir: How are you doing?

I'm doing great! Just recovered from a nasty cold I caught a couple of
weeks ago.

Samir:First, could we start with a small band presentation ?

Within Y was formed in 2002 in Gothenburg, Sweden and consists of five (ugly and/or fat) guys. Our second album, entitled "Portraying Dead Dreams", was released May 10th this year. Check out our website for more info.

Samir:How come you named the band "Within Y", what's the story behind that name?

Well, as I've heard, since I had not joined the band yet at that time, all of the guys came with really lousy suggestions at first. But since they had to agree on something they just picked the name that sucked the least.I don't think it means anything really.

Samir:Let's talk about your new album "Portraying Dead Dreams"Where did you record it ? The sound is really massive & powerful. What kind of sound were you searching for ?

We recorded it ourselves at a friend's studio during September-October last year. I'd say that we were trying to build up a sound more raw and heavy than our previous album, "Extended Mental Dimensions". The sound on PDD is a more "in the face" kind of sound, and that was just what we were hoping to achieve.

Samir:Why did you choose "Portraying Dead Dreams" for the title of that album ?

Actually we just picked a line out from one of the song lyrics that sounded cool. We're just so lazy and find that the easiest way to entitle an album. The same thing was done with EMD.

Samir: So you found you have done a great work on this album ?

Yes, we really do. The sound is way better than the previous album and all of the guys are really satisfied with the result.

Samir:Can you tell me more about "Extended mental dimensions"? What is your feeling about it?

I think EMD was a good debut album and I like it a lot myself. But after recording PDD we felt that we moved up a level, so to speak. Since we handled the recording of PDD ourselves we'd like to see it as a bit more personal sounding album than the debut.

Samir: What's your best memory with the band?

I have a lot of good memories with the band. One of them is the first real gig I did with the band a couple of years ago. I wasn't big, but it's one of those gigs you always remember. The release party for our new album was really fun aswell, great crowd!

Samir:Which country would you like to go on tour, and why ?

I'm not sure. Anywhere really where we might have an audience. Morocco maybe?

Samir: And with which bands ?

It doesn't make any difference to me. The important thing is to get your music out. Of course I'd probably pick some bands over others if it was my choice, but I'll go on tour with any Swedish dance band/schlager artist really. Or maybe not.

Samir: you made some mistake in your life or in your career?

Oh yes, I have. Someone told me many years ago that "you learn from your mistakes". Today I know that's not true. I'm still as stupid as I was back then. And considering my career mistakes I wouldn't really say that I've had so much of a career yet, but you might want to check back in a few years. I'll be sure to have done a lot of mistakes until then.

Samir: What sort of topics have you been looking at in the lyrics this time around?

I haven't really been a part of the lyric writings on this album. But I know that Andy, who writes the most of the lyrics, has written a lot about what has been going on in his life lately and all the crap that goes on in the world in general.

Samir: Do you have any favorite song on the albums?

No, not really. I like them all. But if I have to pick one it would be "Breeding Murder" since I've written it. I know the rest of the guys have other favorites, but that's the great thing with this album. By reading reviews and hearing people's comments about the album we've noticed that everybody has their own favorite track. And we feel that this is a positive thing and that it shows of variety in the songwriting. I'd say this is probably because of our way of writing music. Most bands have one or two guys that writes all of the songs. We don't work that way. Usually we start out with a single riff and just jam together the rest of the song. Everybody comes with ideas and together we work out the remaining parts. The result becomes a contribution from every part of the band.

Samir: Did you hear something about "KREATOR" when they played here in MOROCCO front of 20 000 persons?

No. I wish I did, but I didn't.

Samir: If you'll be invited to playing here in MOROCCO do you accepte about this invitation?

Of course. No doubt. We'd be honoured if someone invited us to play in Morocco. I don't think it will happen in a while, but if so, here's a message to the people of Rabat: Spread the word throughout your country! We'll attack your city first and then we'd like to show the rest of the country how we prefer to kick ass!

Samir: What will be the future news and forthcoming plans for "Within Y"?

A lot of gigs, hopefully a tour further on and of course writing material for a new album.

Samir: What's the difference between the within y of Portraying Dead reams and the within y of Extended mental dimensions?

First and foremost the line-up, but also the sound and maturity of the band. I think everybody is taking things more seriously now. We all want to make something good out of this whole "band" thing. When we're all old we'd like to be able to look back at this and really be proud of what we achieved. Right now we're just doing the things that we love, which are performing ive and getting our music out to the fans.

Samir:How important is the bands image to you?

I guess it should be quite important. But we don't really think about it that much. We just do gigs and have fun. That's more important than thinking about your image all the time.

Samir: What was the favorite band you toured with?

We haven't been on tour yet, but we're opening for Nevermore in September on their only gig in Sweden. I'm guessing that'll be a lot of fun.

Samir:Who are your main influences and what albums made the biggest impact on your life?

For me personally it's been the old Gothenburg melodeath bands, but also many new bands and not just bands within the metal genre. I think it's more fun to write music when you blend in some different tunes here and there. I can't say that any specific album has made an impact on my life, but rather influenced me musically. And then I have to say that the old Metallica and Pantera albums have made the biggest impact on me as a musician, since they made me start playing the guitar and later on listening to heavier music which leads me to where I am today.

Samir: Where do you see "Within y" going in the next few years, 5 or even 10 years ?

I can't really give you an answer on that, but I can tell you what I hope for. And that is that we're still having fun and punishing the stage while delivering headaches as usual, wherever that may be. Well, hopefully this will be on a world tour rather than here in Gothenburg, but then again it really doesn't make a difference.

Samir: Do you have anything you would like to say to the readers of Zero Tolerance webzine ?

Keep supporting the metal scene by going to gigs and buying albums! Believe in yourselves and follow your dreams. Nothing is impossible. Thank you for reading this interview!

Samir:Did you play any cover tunes in your early days?

No, we didn't. But we all would like to do it some day. Maybe we'll throw in a cover song on the next album, or at least when we play live sometime.

Samir: what are your thoughts and feelings about writing songs, recording them and playing live? And what do you like best (why?)?

In my opinion, playing live is the most fun. And I think most bands agrees with me on that one. Of course, you can't play live unless you write music. But writing music has its ups and downs. Sometimes you're just in a flow and write great stuff. Other times everything you write suck as hell. The
important thing is not to give up. I usually put the writing aside for a day
or two when it's not really going my way, and then pick it up later on with new ideas. Recording is, next to playing live, where I get the most of my experience. It's fun to just explore what you can do in a studio, and it can really help you out in the future.

Samir: Any last words? Something I forgot to ask, etc.?

Thank you for letting me do this interview! Keep on supporting your favorite bands and the metal scene in general! Thanks to all the readers!Say hello to your moms from me!

Samir: Thanks a lot for your time in answering these questions

Anytime! Thanks again!

Genre :

Death Melodic

Albums :

Feeble and Weak 2002
Extended Mental Dimensions 2004
Demo 05 2005
Portraying Dead Dreams 2006

Links :

http://www.withiny.com/
http://www.myspace.com/withinyband

Members :

Andreas Solveström - Vocals
Mikael Nordin - Guitar
Niknam Moslehi - Guitar
Thim Blom - Drums
Matte Wänerstam - Bass