DIMENSION ZERO

DIMENSION ZERO
The Trajectory and Legacy of Swedish Melodic Deathrash

1. Introduction

While this band is known as a side project formed by key members of In Flames, one of the pioneers of melodic death metal, their musical style established an aggressive approach termed "Deathrash," which set them apart from their main band.

2. Biography

2.1 Incubation Period: From Agent Orange to Dimension Zero (1995-1996)

Background and Motivation of Formation

In 1995, Gothenburg, Sweden, was the epicenter of melodic death metal, a genre that would later take the world by storm as the "Gothenburg Sound." Jesper Strömblad and Glenn Ljungström, guitarists for In Flames—the central figure of the scene—were seeking a place to express the "pure aggression" of their roots in thrash metal and early death metal, as In Flames evolved toward a direction that placed more emphasis on structured beauty.

They initially started the project under the band name "Agent Orange." While it is presumed that this name was a homage to the masterpiece album "Agent Orange" by German thrash metal band Sodom, they changed their name to "DIMENSION ZERO" within 1995, before any official release took place.

Formation of the Initial Lineup

In the early stages of the project, alongside Jesper and Glenn, guitarist Fredrik Johansson participated. Fredrik served as the rhythm guitarist for Dark Tranquillity from 1993 to 1999, a selection that symbolized the deep interconnectedness of the Gothenburg scene.

Furthermore, to reinforce the rhythm section and vocals, the following members were recruited:

• Jocke Göthberg: Former drummer and vocalist of Marduk. With his participation, the band acquired hysterical and evil screams derived from black metal.
• Hans Nilsson: An experienced drummer who had been active in bands such as Crystal Age, Liers in Wait, and Diabolique.

2.2 The First Impact: "Penetrations from the Lost World" and Hiatus (1997-1998)

Release of the EP

In 1997, the band released their first official recording, the mini-album (EP) "Penetrations from the Lost World." While retaining the lyrical melody sense of In Flames, this work pushed the BPM (tempo) to the limit and presented a style that prioritized linear destructive power over complex progressions.

Although there are slight discrepancies in descriptions depending on the sources regarding the lineup during this period, the recording credits were basically based on a four-member lineup: Jesper (guitar/bass), Glenn (guitar), Jocke (vocals), and Hans (drums).

Unexpected Stagnation

Although the debut EP received high acclaim in the underground scene, the band abruptly ceased activities in 1998. The main factor was the increased busyness accompanying the global success of their main band, In Flames. For Jesper and Glenn, the touring and recording schedules of In Flames were extremely tight, physically eliminating the time to allocate to a side project. Additionally, some sources suggest that "various internal problems" were also a factor in the dissolution.

2.3 Reunion and the Golden Era: The Birth of "Silent Night Fever" (2000-2002)

Return to the Scene

After about two years of silence, the band declared its reactivation in 2000. At this time, initial member Fredrik Johansson did not participate, and Daniel Antonsson joined as a guitarist instead. Daniel was a talented musician with experience in Soilwork and Pathos, and his joining made the band's performance skills even more robust.

Global Acclaim for the 1st Album

In 2002, the long-awaited 1st full-length album "Silent Night Fever" was released. Released by Sweden's Regain Records and Japan's Toy's Factory, this work was welcomed as a masterpiece that modernly updated the roughness seen in In Flames' early work "Lunar Strain," while injecting elements of hardcore and thrash metal.

The musicality of this album went beyond mere melodic death metal, establishing their status as the legitimate successor to the "Swedish Deathrash" perfected by At The Gates.

Live in Japan 2002

Accompanying the release of the album, the band performed in Japan in 2002. At the live show at Shibuya Club Quattro in Tokyo, in addition to tracks from the album, a cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" was performed. Part of the live audio from this performance was later officially released on reissue editions and as bonus tracks.

2.4 Friction and Evolution: "This Is Hell" and the Dismissal of Glenn (2003-2006)

Production of the 2nd Album

Gaining momentum from the success of their debut work, the band entered the studio without delay and released their 2nd album "This Is Hell" in 2003. While maintaining the velocity of the previous work, this album shifted toward a heavier, more gloomy, and claustrophobic sound production, just as the title indicated.

The Departure Controversy of Glenn Ljungström

However, during this period, Glenn Ljungström, one of the founding members, left the band. While it is often officially described as a "departure," later interview testimony by vocalist Jocke Göthberg conveys a more dramatic fact.

According to Jocke, Glenn did not quit on his own but was "kicked out." Jocke stated in an interview: "Glenn was whining all the time and kept saying 'this is the last time' at every show. Toward the end, he was acting in a way that chained us down, so we reached the limit of our patience and kicked him out just before the album release."

This event brought about a change in the band's chemistry. Jocke remarked that "with Glenn gone, the atmosphere within the band became much better than before," serving as a turning point for the band to continue activities in a more united state.

2.5 Maturity and Experimentation: "He Who Shall Not Bleed" (2007-2008)

Recording at IF Studios

In 2007, the band released their 3rd album "He Who Shall Not Bleed." The recording for this work took place from December 2006 to January 2007 at IF Studios, owned by In Flames. Arnold Lindberg was appointed as the producer, and mastering was conducted at Studio Bohus.

Guest Musicians and Musical Expansion

A noteworthy aspect of this work is the guest participation of Jeff Waters, the mastermind behind the Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator. He played the first lead guitar (guitar solo) on the song "Way to Shine," which closes the main part of the album.

Additionally, a cello played by Peter Schöning was introduced in the song "I Can Hear the Dark," incorporating expressions of gothic-like sorrow and silence alongside their traditional brutality.

2.6 Long Silence and Reunion Attempts (2014-2016)

The Road to Gothenburg Sound Festival 2015

Following the 3rd album, the individual activities of the members became extremely busy, and the band entered a de facto hiatus. However, in May 2014, long-awaited news arrived for the fans. It was announced that DIMENSION ZERO would perform a reunion live show at the "Gothenburg Sound Festival" held at Trädgårn in Gothenburg on January 2 and 3, 2015.

The lineup announced at this time was the strongest line-up from the "Silent Night Fever" era: Jesper (bass), Jocke (vocals), Hans (drums), and Daniel (guitar).

Last-Minute Cancellation and Substitute

However, in November 2014, Jocke Göthberg released a video message through the festival's official Facebook page, announcing the cancellation of their appearance. The reason cited was "family circumstances." As their substitute, The Resistance, another band led by Jesper at the time, performed instead.

2016 Split and New Lineup

The reunion live show was carried over to the "Gothenburg Sound Festival 2016" the following year. However, in March 2016, Jesper Strömblad made a shocking announcement. Jocke Göthberg, his longtime ally, and guitarist Daniel Antonsson parted ways with the band.

As a result, the band had to seek a path to survival without its original vocalist, Jocke. Jesper announced the addition of Andreas "Andy" Solveström, former growl vocalist of Amaranthe, as the new vocalist.

2.7 Current Status

Since the announcement of the new lineup in 2016, no full-length album releases have been confirmed with the lineup featuring Andy. Jesper Strömblad subsequently formed CyHra with former In Flames member Peter Iwers and others, and in 2020, launched The Halo Effect with Mikael Stanne and others, embodying the "true Gothenburg Sound."

As these activities are going extremely well, it is inferred that the priority of DIMENSION ZERO's activities is low as of 2024–2025. However, no official disbandment has been declared, and its existence is maintained as a vessel for the "most aggressive side" of Jesper's career.

3. Detailed Member Profiles and Connections

DIMENSION ZERO is a band that acts like a "crossroad" where key figures in the Swedish death metal scene intersect. Detailed profiles of the main members are described below.

Key Members

Jesper Strömblad

• Role: Guitar, Bass
• Period: 1995-1998, 2000-Present
• Associated Bands: In Flames, The Halo Effect, CyHra, HammerFall, The Resistance, Ceremonial Oath, Sinergy.
• Overview: The founder and main composer of the band. While also known as the founder of In Flames, his inherent "love for thrash metal" and "aspects as a guitar hero" are fully displayed in DIMENSION ZERO. Although he sometimes played bass at live shows, he is a multi-player who handles both guitar and bass on studio recordings.

Hans Nilsson

• Role: Drums
• Period: 1995-1998, 2000-Present
• Associated Bands: Crystal Age, Diabolique, Liers in Wait, Luciferion.
• Overview: Supports the backbone of the band with highly technical drumming and a stable blast beat. Along with Jesper, he is the only original member (including post-reunion) who has remained in the band from its formation to the present.

Andreas "Andy" Solveström

• Role: Vocals
• Period: 2016-Present
• Associated Bands: Amaranthe, Within Y, Cipher System, Evildoer.
• Overview: Famous as the original growl vocalist for the pop-metal band Amaranthe, but inherently specializes in orthodox melodic death metal vocals as heard in Within Y. He joined as the successor to Jocke.

Past Members

Jocke Göthberg

• Role: Vocals
• Period: 1995-1998, 2000-2016
• Associated Bands: Marduk, Cardinal Sin, Darkified.
• Overview: The figure symbolizing the "voice" of DIMENSION ZERO. His throat-tearing high-pitched screams, well-reputed since his time in Marduk ("Those of the Unlight", etc.), defined the band's aggressiveness. He departed during the 2016 split.

Glenn Ljungström

• Role: Guitar
• Period: 1995-1998, 2000-2003, 2005
• Associated Bands: In Flames, HammerFall, The Resistance.
• Overview: Formed the twin guitar attack of early In Flames alongside Jesper. He left around the time of the release of "This Is Hell" in 2003, but later collaborated with Jesper again in The Resistance.

Daniel Antonsson

• Role: Guitar, Bass
• Period: 2000-2016
• Associated Bands: Dark Tranquillity (as bassist), Soilwork, Pathos.
• Overview: Joined upon the reunion. Supported the band's peak era with technical guitar playing. Later, he was also active as the bassist for Dark Tranquillity.

Fredrik Johansson

• Role: Guitar
• Period: 1995-1998
• Associated Bands: Dark Tranquillity.
• Obituary: Having supported the golden era of Dark Tranquillity ("The Gallery" to "The Mind's I"), he passed away on January 25, 2022, at the young age of 48 after a battle with cancer. Mikael Stanne mourned him as "one of us." His contributions to DIMENSION ZERO's early EP remain historical records.

4. Discography

DIMENSION ZERO's discography consists of one EP and three full-length albums. All Japanese editions were released by Toy's Factory, characterized by substantial OBI strips and bonus tracks.

4.1 EP: Penetrations from the Lost World (1997)

A mini-album packaging the band's earliest impulses.
Original Release: 1997 (War Music)
Japanese Reissue: August 22, 2007 (Toy's Factory, TFCK-87421 *Remastered reissue)
Format: CD

Track #	Title (English)	Length	Notes
1	Through the Virgin Sky	04:53	Later re-recorded for the 1st album.
2	Dead Silent Shriek	03:54
3	Forgotten... but Not Forgiven	03:34
4	Everlasting Neverness	04:09	Instrumental track.

Context: The 2003 reissue from Regain Records includes the track "Condemned" from the "Silent Night Fever" sessions and live tracks as bonus tracks.

4.2 1st Album: Silent Night Fever (2002)

A 1st full-length album regarded as a monument of "Melodic Deathrash."
Release Date: 2002 (Regain Records)
Japanese Release: 2002 (Toy's Factory, TFCK-87288) / 2007 Reissue (TFCK-87422)
Producer: Anders Fridén (Vocalist of In Flames)

Track #	Title (English)	Length	Notes
1	Silent Night Fever	03:20	Signature track.
2	The Murder-Inn	03:01
3	Through the Virgin Sky	04:29	Re-recording of the EP track.
4	Your Darkest Hour	04:08
5	Not Even Dead	03:59
6	They Are Waiting to Take Us	03:50
7	Until You Die	03:45
8	End	02:58
9	Slow Silence	02:04
10	Helter Skelter	03:00	**** The Beatles cover.

Analysis: While "Helter Skelter," included as a Japanese bonus track, is known as one of the heaviest and most chaotic songs in The Beatles' catalog, DIMENSION ZERO accelerated it even further, reinterpreting the original madness within the context of death metal.

4.3 2nd Album: This Is Hell (2003)

The second album, evolving to be darker and heavier.
Release Date: 2003 (Regain Records)
Japanese Release: November 19, 2003 (Toy's Factory, TFCK-87335)

Track #	Title (English)	Length	Notes
1	The Introduction to What This Is	02:38
2	DIMENSION ZERO	02:53	Self-titled track.
3	Immaculate	03:53	Music video produced for this track.
4	Blood on the Streets	03:09
5	Into & Out of Subsistence	03:09
6	The Final Destination	04:50
7	Amygdala	03:27
8	Killing My Sleep	04:01
9	This Light	04:28
10	Di'i Minores	03:52
11	Helmet	02:20	****

4.4 3rd Album: He Who Shall Not Bleed (2007)

The latest studio album to date, produced at IF Studios.
Release Date: August 22, 2007 (Japan early release) / 2008 (Worldwide)
Japanese Release: Toy's Factory (TFCK-87421)
Label: Vic Records (Europe/US)

Track #	Title (English)	Length	Notes
1	He Who Shall Not Bleed	02:25
2	Unto Others	02:32
3	A Paler Shade of White (A Darker Side of Black)	02:23
4	Hell Is Within	03:02
5	Red Dead Heat	01:57
6	I Can Hear the Dark	03:11	Cello by Peter Schöning.
7	Going Deep	02:33
8	Is	03:12
9	Deny	03:30
10	The Was	03:10
11	Way to Shine	04:05	Lead Guitar by Jeff Waters (Annihilator).
12	Stayin' Alive	02:01	**** Bee Gees Cover.
13	Rövarvisan (ロンニャの山賊の歌)	01:29	**** From "Ronja Rövardotter".

5. Reception in the Japanese Market and Bonus Track Culture

5.1 Partnership with Toy's Factory

DIMENSION ZERO established a strong relationship with the Japanese record label Toy's Factory. Toy's Factory was a label that led the boom by introducing Nordic metal bands such as In Flames and Arch Enemy to Japan, and DIMENSION ZERO benefited from its powerful promotion. On the Japanese edition's OBI strip, the promotional phrase "A side project by Jesper Strömblad of In Flames" was prominently displayed, increasing its appeal to Japanese fans.

5.2 Unique Selection of Cover Songs

Stayin' Alive (Bee Gees Cover)

Included in the Japanese edition of the 3rd album. They committed the outrageous act of covering the famous song by the Bee Gees, which symbolized the 1970s disco boom, using blast beats and death growls. The style of tracing the original falsetto vocal melody line with guitar riffs while Jocke screamed demonstrated the band's sense of humor and their attitude of not being bound by genre frameworks.

Rövarvisan (Ronja Rövardotter Cover)

Also included in the Japanese edition of the 3rd album. This is a cover of "Rövarsången" (The Robber's Song), a song used in the film adaptation (1984) of "Ronja Rövardotter" (Ronia, the Robber's Daughter, 1981) by the national Swedish children's literature author Astrid Lindgren. In Japan, the work is also known for being animated by Studio Ghibli for NHK ("Sanzoku no Musume Rōnya"), but for Swedes, it is an existence close to a "nursery rhyme" familiar from early childhood. Transforming this heroic and pastoral march into a ferocious deathrash, this track strongly reflected DIMENSION ZERO's identity as Swedes and became a shocking gift for Japanese fans.

6. Conclusion

DIMENSION ZERO was a project born in the shadow of the massive presence of In Flames, but it radiated an intense individuality that exceeded the framework of a mere "side project." In the early 2000s, as melodic death metal was evolving toward a more mainstream and modern direction, DIMENSION ZERO's music steadfastly held onto the primitive charms of metal: "speed," "aggression," and "evil."

The sound of DIMENSION ZERO, commonly known as "Deathrash," is considered to have had a non-negligible influence on subsequent metalcore and modern death metal bands. Furthermore, the chemical reaction between Jocke Göthberg, an extraordinary screamer, and Jesper Strömblad, a genius melody maker, was condensed into just three albums, and continues to radiate a brilliance that never fades.

As of 2024, the band remains silent, but as long as Jesper Strömblad's creative drive is not depleted, the possibility that the door to this "zero dimension" will open again cannot be denied.