MindSplit, a new band to me and quite possible to most our readers as well - could you please introduce yourself and tell a bit about your background? MindSplit - Mathias Holm: I and H.B played in two bands back in the 80's but we both took different ways in the mission of music between the years 1992 or 1993. But we have always been friends and one day in the year of 2003 we begun to talk about MindSplit. And for me I saw it like a very cool challenge when H.B told me about the notes from he’s old grandfather... We have different influences that gave MindSplit it's personal touch and sound. I have always listen to instrumental music like Vinnie Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Al Di Meola etc... I released a solo album in 1997, a instrumental guitar oriented album and have been a fan of progressive music since about 1995 when I for the first time heard Dream Theater - "Images and Words". I think H.B's influences are more from ordinary Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. He has released a few albums with Fatal Smile, Token and Scudiero. What kind of hopes and expectations do you have for 'Charmed Human Art of Significance'? MindSplit - Mathias Holm: I hope the audience will like our album as much as I enjoyed doing it. It has been a mission over six or seven years and it has been a great journey! If you had to choose one song you feel captures the essence of MindSplit, which song would you pick and why? Personal I think I'd pick "Silhouettes". MindSplit - Mathias Holm: Good choice! But I think the album has so many different styles so "A Purpose of Circumstance" could be my choice too -:). "Silhouettes" and "A Purpose...." are my personal favourites. How does the final result compare to the idea you had going into the studio? MindSplit - Mathias Holm: I’m very pleased with the result and I think it really sound as I wanted it to do when I started to brainstorm and write the songs. The artwork is quite simple, who has done it and what do you want to express with the artwork? MindSplit - Mathias Holm: One great thing with MindSplit is that the whole product is made by friends and us in the band. Fredric Arvidsson is our cover guru. He pays for his living by doing computer games and work on the high respected company DICE in Stockholm (Battlefield etc). He got free hands to do the coolest cover art ever released and I think he has succeed ;) It is up to the viewer to interpret what we want to show with the cover art. Can you give us a brief introduction on the lyrical concept behind "Charmed Human Art of Significance", inspired by H.B. Anderson's great old, old grandfather Xerxes Anderson's Artificial Universe"? MindSplit - H.B Anderson: Yeah, it's based on as you said my great old, old grandfathers memory notes from his therapy sessions. It explains the brains abstract life and odd behaviour in different situations. It is a concept we will take with us to upcoming albums, but it will investigate the mind in another threat and/or pleasure. MindSplit - any connection to your lyrical concept, and why did you pick this name? MindSplit - Yes, there is a connection and that's why we want to create these concepts to it's limits. 
You are releasing this album on the Lion Music label, one of the leading underground metal labels in Europe - how did you hook up with them and do you see this as an advantage? MindSplit - We contacted Lion because they are in the same vain of genre that fits us the most, and they gave us a good offer and full respect for our product. If you could pick the line-up for a tour, which bands would you love to go on tour with? MindSplit - Dream Theater, Symphony X, Metallica and Europe. What does the words progressive metal mean to you? MindSplit - H.B Anderson: It means to me that the music is very skilled and well produced. The thinking-man's music...
MindSplit - Mathias Holm: The love of writing and listening to interesting music that capture your entire mind to understand and enjoy it. Thank you very much for answering my questions. Do you have any last rants for our readers? MindSplit - Mathias Holm & H.B Anderson: God bless you all and Take care of your MIND!!!!
Interviewed by Kenn Jensen | 
