Swedish newcomers We Are To Blame have been quietly building something special. Their sound mixes melodic and progressive metal with catchy, pop-leaning vocals—an unexpected combo that somehow works really well. After making a solid impression with their Duality EPs, the band is back with a new release called Altar, bringing even more depth, emotion, and musical chemistry into the mix.
We had a chat with Johan and Alice about how the band came together, the making of Altar, what it was like playing their first-ever live show at Sweden Rock Festival, and where things are heading next.
First off, congratulations on the release of Altar! What themes or ideas lie at the heart of this new EP?
Johan: Thank you so much, we are all very happy and proud over how it turned out! Musically it’s a continuation of what we did on the Duality EPs, but the level of musicianship and the arrangements was raised considerably by the contributions of Marcus (guitar), Olly (bass) and Seppo (drums). But for me, the heart and the core remains the same.
Your music combines pop-influenced vocal melodies with the weight of melodic and progressive metal—how did you arrive at that unique blend?
Johan: Before starting WATB, I spent a few years mainly in death metal bands and projects as a vocalist. But I missed the more melodic side of metal, and I missed playing guitar as well. I wanted to do something similar to the great bands I listened to in my 20s, but somehow do a fresh take on it. My thought was that I needed to work with someone with a completely different musical perspective than myself, and that is why I started to work with Alice. Her background is very different to my own, but somehow we speak the same musical language and manage to make it work.
Alice, you initially had doubts about joining a metal project. What changed your mind, and how has your journey into metal shaped you as a vocalist?
Alice: Of course I had doubts, because I had not done anything like that ever before. But I’m so glad I did it, that I put my doubt aside and just threw myself out there. I think my way of writing songs has opened up for the better thanks to We Are To Blame, and also my way of singing. Now I’m a lot tougher, and I’m not as afraid as I was to stretch my boundaries and broaden my horizon.
Johan, what inspired you to seek a pop vocalist for a metal band in the first place?
Johan: As I mentioned, I wanted to work with someone who had a different perspective than me, and a lot of pop artists have a great feeling for melodies. And I figured that it could bring something different to the music, something that I couldn’t do with a metal vocalist. And working with Alice has been amazing, not only the music and lyrics she writes but how she has influenced me to write as well. Even for the songs that I’ve written lyrics and vocal lines for, I could not have written if I hadn’t worked with Alice.
The band is named We Are To Blame—what’s the meaning behind that name, and how does it reflect your music or message?
Johan: We as humans often tend to divert responsibility to something outside of ourselves. It can be anything from being too tired from work to do laundry, to blaming former generations for global warming, to hating other people because an authority figure says so. The name ‘We Are To Blame’ serves as a reminder to look at what we ourselves can do to be the best versions of ourselves, to look inside and work on what we can control, instead of focusing on the things we cannot change.
Altar follows the critically praised Duality EPs. How would you say your sound has evolved between those releases and now?
Johan: To me, the biggest difference has come from getting a complete lineup of incredible musicians. Marcus, Olly and Seppo managed to take what we did earlier and make it a thousand times better! Even the old songs, just rehearsing for the first time with these guys made my jaw drop. The core of the songs are still from the same mindset as before, but the execution is at an entirely different level.
You played your debut live show at Sweden Rock Festival 2024—what was that experience like for you as a band?
Johan: Oh, I don’t know if I can find the words for it. It was the first time we played live with this lineup, and we actually rehearsed for the first time with the full band 3 days before the show. But the experience was pure magic, just the opportunity to play at Sweden Rock Festival was something you only dreamt about as a kid, so to actually stand there and play music for that crowd was simply surreal!
There’s a strong Scandinavian character to your music, mixing light and darkness in a way that feels very Nordic. Do you think your geography and culture influence your sound?
Alice: Both yes and no. I think the main reason we have our mixed sound is because of our different musical backgrounds. All our different experiences have led us towards our sound.
Johan: To an extent i agree with Alice, but Sweden has a very strong music life with accessible musical education that i very strongly believe is a big reason for why Sweden delivers so many amazing musicians. I, and many others, are deeply saddened that the current government is dismantling it, but I have hope that the tides will turn and that we will rebuild it.
You use both symphonic and electronic elements in your arrangements—how do you decide what to bring into each song’s atmosphere?
Johan: We just try to serve the song with each decision. Some songs or parts require a lot of synths to really pop, others an orchestra. Sometimes it’s better to keep it sparse. I tried to put into words how I reason with each part, but in the end it all comes down to gut feeling. Does it make me feel something, or enhance what I’m already feeling? If so, it stays. If not, it goes away.
Lyrically, your songs often deal with personal and emotional themes. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
Alice: All the inspiration to my lyrics I pick from my own life. It can be both very personal and close experiences but also something I read in a book that stuck on me. I always have to feel something in myself so I can write honestly and truthfully. It’s important for me to give a little bit of myself in our music to be true to myself.
Johan: I agree with Alice wholeheartedly. If I write about something that doesn’t make me feel something, how can I expect the listener to feel something?
As a band that’s hard to place in a single genre, how do you navigate creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh?
Johan: It was a concern when we started writing music, but as things fell into place I’ve gotten more comfortable and secure in what we do. So at this point, I trust our taste and the decisions we make and just roll with it. As long as we make music we are proud of, I have full confidence in what we do as a band.
What kind of feedback have you been getting from fans and press around Altar?
Johan: So far it’s been nothing but positive! Our fans seem to enjoy the new stuff, and we are so excited to share more music with everyone.
Looking ahead, what’s next for We Are To Blame—new releases, more live shows, or perhaps a full-length album?
Johan: As a matter of fact, we are currently working on our first full-length album! No dates are set yet, but we are finishing up the last pieces of recording and have started to work on the mixes. So keep an eye out on our socials for news, and before you know it you will have more ‘We Are To Blame’ to listen to!
For more about We Are to Blame visit the band’s website, and make sure to check out Altar on Bandcamp.
