Interview: Niclas Engelin of Engel


engel 2014

Niclas Engelin is someone who is no stranger within the Gothenburg metal scene. His latest “other” band is Engel and are about to release their fourth album called Raven Kings via MRI/Sony RED on January 27, 2015.

Engel began in 2005 when Engelin and former The Crown guitarist Marcus Sunesson began writing music leaning more towards a crossover sound mashing melodic metal with industrial elements. Their debut album Absolute Design was released in 2007, and had previously toured Europe supporting Amon Amarth and Dimmu Borgir.

They have shuffled members in recent years, and now the lineup features Mikael Sehlin on vocals, Steve Drennan (Amon Amarth) on bass and Oscar Nilsson (Saint Deamon, Miseration, Despite) on drums.

Engel 2012 with Niklas Engelin (Far Right)

Engel 2012 with Niklas Engelin (Far Right)

While Engelin has a busy schedule touring and playing with In Flames, he found time to write new Engel songs. He shared how he is able to make this happen, despite his hectic touring schedule.

“First of all, I have a lovely wife, and when I’m home…this may sound a little bit boring but I have to do it like this. I work when my wife is at work, and our kids are at kindergarten. Then I’ll sit down and do it, because as I said before I write all the time and I vibe to it. Then at night I’ll play the acoustic. I’ll get my main oomph and I’ll do it tomorrow. I work very strictly like this. Then I have some kind of deadline to work towards.”
He pointed out that he will not be touring with Engel, even though he is a key songwriter in the band. “I will not be touring with the band. I’ve got my hands full with In Flames and family. My wife would be….’divorce!’ That’s the way I work.”

“They tour without me. They’ve done that for a couple of years. They’re really, really good.”

engel raven kings

Will we ever see Engelin tour with Engel, or even an occasional live appearance when In Flames has some down time? He was not so optimistic about it happening.

“No I used to do that back for some time. I found out I did that for some time and the fans were like ‘hey…you weren’t there…fuck you!’ So therefore I’m not in any of the promo pics.”

“You know about Savatage and Jon Oliva? He used to be something like that.”

As for a future Engel tour supporting In Flames, he only commented “that would rule!”

Interview By Rei Nishimoto