Ever puzzled the way it feels to have your mind utterly rewired by music? Or what it’s like when rhythms shatter each rule you already know? That’s usually what occurs while you take heed to Meshuggah for the primary time. Although don’t fear, because the band’s former guitarist Per Nilsson reveals, you’re not alone in feeling “completely bewildered”.

Because the touring guitarist for Meshuggah throughout founding axeman Fredrik Thordendal’s 2017-2021 hiatus, Nilsson ’s first encounter with the Swedish steel band got here in 1994, when their groundbreaking sound left a long-lasting impression on him.

“I heard Meshuggah for the primary time in ‘94. I went to one among their exhibits in my hometown, and we had solely heard that it was purported to be this unbelievable band from up north of Sweden,” Nilsson tells Guitar Summit [via Ultimate Guitar]. “So we simply went to see them. And everybody got here out completely bewildered.”

The Scar Symmetry founder additionally reveals how the relationships he constructed over time in the end led to his recruitment by the band.

“The one one I had ever met was Frederick, who I used to be subbing for, and it wasn’t even his determination to rent me, as a result of he was like, ‘I’m gonna step out for some time, guys,’” Nilsson says. “They tried to scramble to seek out the appropriate particular person, they usually couldn’t consider anybody. However it so occurred that I knew a few of the individuals of their organisation.”

“Clearly, I didn’t know that they have been searching for somebody, however I’m mates with their guitar tech for a very long time, and their supervisor used to work for Scar Symmetry a very long time in the past, and their monitor tech he was doing screens for Scar Symmetry at a present, and he’s additionally guitar participant.”

“See, he noticed me play and appreciated what he heard. So, I already had three individuals of their organisation and all of them have been like, ‘Hey guys, possibly you need to try this man.’”