Globe recently had the pleasure of talking with Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, the frontman of Smash Into Pieces, a Swedish band quickly rising in the music scene. The quartet fuses anthemic rock and electronic-driven pop-metal, earning global attention by reaching third place in Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest with the energetic track “Heroes Are Calling”.
The roster also includes Benjamin Jennebo on lead guitar, Per Bergquist on rhythm guitar, and APOC on drums, known for his futuristic mask. With fans all over the world, they have 1.3 million monthly listeners via Spotify and 500,000 streams daily on all digital platforms.
Ahead of the band’s Bangkok debut at Samyan Mitrtown Hall, we interviewed Chris about Smash Into Pieces’ journey so far, from crafting story-driven albums to playing shows with Alter Bridge and Halestorm, while also exploring the vision propelling him and the group.
Sawasdee Khap! Could you tell us Chris, are you excited to perform for your many fans in Thailand for the first time? Your show at Bangkok’s Samyan Mitrtown Hall is tonight.
In terms of playing in places far away from Europe, then this has certainly been one of the longest journeys that we’ve ever made! I mean, it is really exciting to see a new audience, and not know how they found you. People who have perhaps known about us for a while or people who’ve heard of us recently. It will be great to finally meet our fans in Thailand.
The group’s sound has been described as combining slick pop-metal with electro-rock, giving great results! Is this description correct and how has your musical style evolved from your debut album “Unbreakable”, up until your most recent work “Ghost Code”?
A key factor for us has been working with new producers and songwriters. Our mindset is to sound different on each album. So we’re always aiming to move in a new direction and discover new things. Our dynamic is similar to that of The Beatles, where Paul McCartney and John Lennon were the main songwriters…as did Ringo Starr, who also contributed. In Smash, Per and I are both genuinely committed to our work…and we do like to challenge each other, encouraging a culture of innovation. The world is changing a lot faster today. The Beatles could maintain their sound for a decade or more, and it would remain fresh! Nowadays, things move real quick. We constantly challenge ourselves to evolve, to find epic sounds, and to make sure we don’t repeat stuff we’ve visited in any previous work.
Smash Into Pieces is such a memorable name, and your drummer APOC is well-known for rocking his distinctive LED mask! To people just discovering you, may we know the story behind the band’s name and how the visual identity with the mask came about?
I started Smash Into Pieces back in 2006…but the name came to me a bit earlier, perhaps in 2005. For us, this name has always represented what we stand for. It is about breaking through anything that stands in the way of our dreams. For sure, that’s our core mentality. It is who we truly are. As for the mask, it features a striking symbol of our initials – SIP. It’s inspired by our love for 80s neon, action movies, and the apocalyptic visuals of the early album artwork, which I believe perfectly combine with our hybrid sound and stage look.
Your album “Arcadia” came with a comic book upon its release, presenting a dystopian world, while its sequel “A New Horizon” expanded the sci-fi tale through music videos. That’s a creative approach! How did this idea to blend comics and music come about?
The idea to intertwine comics with music came after APOC joined the band. His presence inspired us and sparked several conversations on long tour bus rides. We’re also big fans of superhero movies like Batman and anything with Thanos. And these influences were a big inspiration. That regular communication is how the concept emerged. For us, it made sense not to limit this project to music. Everything is connected in our little art world…the visuals, cinematic elements, and the way we write songs…it’s one big universe! One day, we’d like to make an action movie with a full soundtrack, and bring everything full circle!
Many fans think your music feels like the soundtrack to a movie or video game. Do you intentionally write songs with pop culture themes in mind or is this just a coincidence?
There are so many cool melodies and wicked sounds in gaming music…ever since I was a kid playing on the Nintendo 8-bit, those tunes have really stuck with me. I love being able to play with that kind of gaming influence because the music…er, they’re not the standard pop melodies. It can be something that really stands out and makes our music a lot more unique. For me, incorporating a gaming vibe is what makes our songs stick in your head.
You’ve toured with some premier names in rock, including Alter Bridge and Halestorm. What are your best memories from sharing the stage with such well-renowned artists?
Touring with Alter Bridge was a total honour. They’ve been our biggest influence from the very beginning. Myles Kennedy is the reason I started singing…it was so amazing to meet him! You know…the biggest tour was with Evanescence and Within Temptation, where we were the main opener. I’ve always been a huge fan of them, and they took our genre to a new level. What is cool about touring with other bands is how much you learn from them. Seeing how top groups perform live influences your writing…and shows you what makes songs connect in that space. We’re like sponges, soaking it all in, from how they perform to ways they create a bond with audiences. It’s like going to school – the school of rock!
For a more in-depth look at the world of Smash Into Pieces, be sure to connect with them though its official website and Facebook page, where you can find all the latest updates.
