Looking For The Endtime Signals: An Interview with Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquility

One of the bands that were torchbearers of the melodic death metal sound (dubbed "The Gothenburg Sound") is Sweden's Dark Tranquillity. Since the band's 1993 debut album Skydancer, the band has been a juggernaut of cementing their legacy with the melodic death metal sound, while also pushing their sound in new directions. With the additions of clean vocals, progressive elements, and experimentation, it would help Dark Tranquillity stand out from their peers and leave a lasting legacy with their music.  

Front man Mikael Stanne shows off his iconic growls with every record, while also showcasing his clean singing on albums like Projector and Fiction. With the band's new album Endtime Signals, his vocals are just as gritty and harsh, but his clean vocals are becoming a hidden gem of the record. With many fans loving his performance both vocally and lyrically with the brand new album. Potentially making "Best of 2024" lists for the year.

I sat down with the band's vocalist Mikael Stanne and we talk about the band's new album Endtime Signals and the making of that record. We talk about the band's legacy and potential plans for to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their second album The Gallery. He talks about his other music projects outside Dark Tranquillity and some music he's digging that you should check out.

TDIM: The band's new album, Endtime Signals, is the band's thirteenth album. Is it amazing that Dark Tranquillity has released that many albums? What inspires the band lyrically and musically after so many albums?

Stanne: It is kind of strange in some ways, but also the most natural thing in the world. This is something we’ve spent most of our adult lives doing, and it’s the driving force and main focus in most things in our lives. The idea is always to get as close as we possibly can to the core of how we feel, and what we feel we need to say, both lyrically and musically. The closer to honesty and more raw, the better.

TDIM: In an interview with Blabbermouth, you said that the band has gone through "quite a lot" to get to where the band is today. Can you elaborate on some of the things the band has gone through and how you got through it?

Stanne: Not only did we go through the pandemic, but that also led to some changes in the line-up. It was upsetting for a band who takes touring and traveling for granted when everything just stopped. We all went through it differently and for some it meant doing something else and for other, such as myself, I decided to double down on the work and just do more. But, all this of course caused us to question what we actually do, how we are relevant and what our place in music is.

TDIM: This album marks the studio debut of bassist Christian Jansson and drummer Joakim Strandberg-Nilsson. What was it like having new blood into the band? What did they bring to the writing process for Endtime Signals?

Stanne: Most of the material was written by Johan Reinholdz and Martin Brändström, but always with Christian and Joakim in mind and as the songs progressed their involvement further shaped what the album eventually became.

TDIM: Dark Tranquillity is one of the big four of the "Gothenburg sound", along with In Flames, Soilwork and Arch Enemy. All these bands have been influential and inspired countless bands that cite Dark Tranquillity as inspiration for them. What does it feel like to hear that especially since the band's been going over 30 years strong?

Stanne: It’s something we are incredibly proud of, and knowing that we never felt the need to compromise or change in any way to please anyone but ourselves is amazing to me.

TDIM: The band's second album The Gallery will officially turn 30 years old next year. Has there been talks of playing the album in its entirety live or re-recording/remaster to celebrate the legacy and influence of that album?

Stanne: We have thought of playing the entire album for sure and maybe even record some live show where we play the whole thing. Let’s see what we can come up with.

TDIM: You are also the front man for The Halo Effect, what inspired the formation of that project? What did you want to do differently with The Halo Effect than with Dark Tranquility?

Stanne: The Halo Effect was born out of friendship and we started talking about doing something together, and with the luxury of time during the pandemic we actually went through with it and it’s a very different thing for me. It’s still melodic death metal, but the approach is very different and that’s what keeps it interesting to me.

TDIM: Another project you’re involved in is Grand Cadaver (which our readers should check out by the way). How did that project come to fruition? is the project still active or working on new material?

Stanne: My neighbor Alex and I hang out all the time and we have a similar taste in music so he just asked me if I was interested in doing this old school death metal thing he was working on, and I was intrigued and agreed. It’s also a very different approach there and one I really love. Coming from albums that take years to finish to doing a Grand Cadaver album in a matter of weeks is very liberating.

TDIM: I always end my interviews with this question. What are some bands/albums that yourself or the band is digging that you think people should be checking out?

Stanne: Right now I am listening to the new Delving album and it’s incredible, also the new Öresund Space Collective is mind altering.

I want to thank Mikael for taking the time to talk to This Day in Metal about the band's history, their new album Endtime Signals, and his musical projects. Dark Tranquillity is set to start a North American tour this fall. The tour will feature support from Amorphis and Fires in The Distance. Get your tickets at the blue buttons below.