Christian Älvestam

Gunnar Christian Älvestam (Born 14 April 1976 in Sweden) is a vocalist, lyricist, guitarist, bassist and drummer for several bands from Sweden.[1] He is, however, best known as the former vocalist for the Swedish metal band Scar Symmetry. He currently performs with several bands, including Solution .45, Miseration and Cipher System, and has made several guest appearances for other music bands. He is most known in the metal community for possessing both an extreme clean singing range and an ability to make powerful growls.

Christian Älvestam
Birth nameChristian Älvestam
Born (1976-04-14) 14 April 1976
Sweden
OriginSkövde, Sweden
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instruments
Years active1993–present
LabelsNuclear Blast
Associated acts

Current bands

Solution .45
Main article: Solution .45

In late 2007 Jani Stefanovic formed Solution .45, with Christian Älvestam (who at this time was still with Scar Symmetry) joining as one of its last members. Jani stresses that despite Christian's presence in the band, it will not be a Scar Symmetry clone and that songs had been ready for some time before his arrival.[2]

Miseration
Main article: Miseration

Miseration is a Swedish death metal band formed in 2006, and signed to the label Lifeforce.[3] The band is one out of a collection of collaborations with both Jani Stefanovic and Christian Älvestam, who provides vocals.

Other bands
BandsBacking
vocalist		Bass
guitar		Current
member		Electric
guitar		Former
member		Rhythm
guitar		Vocals
Angel BlakeYYY
AtomaYYY
CarnalizedYYY
IncapacityYY
Quest of AidanceYYY
Red Skies DawningYY
Solar DawnYYY
SyconautYY
The Few Against Many[4]YYYY
TorchbearerYYY
UnmooredYYY

Solo Work
Self 2.0
EP by
Christian Älvestam
Released19 October 2012
GenreRock, progressive rock, pop
Length26:38 (Digital version)

38:34 (CD version)

43:23 (Vinyl version)
LabelPivotal Rockordings LLC
ProducerChristian Alvestam

In addition to his current bands, Christian has also released an EP called Self 2.0, written and produced completely by him. Unlike his traditional work, the album consists entirely of clean vocals. In more detail, Christian explains

"It's not exactly a secret that I have a weak spot for more pop-oriented stuff - especially in the vein of the sound of the '80s," he says. "In fact, I have always been listening to softer music, alongside the heavier stuff, which is probably why my own music so often, unintentionally, tend to end up being a mixture of the two. I simply can't help myself when it comes to merging the aforesaid styles together, it seems. I'd like to call it unavoidable influence, as a direct result of having been indoctrinated with both, from childhood upwards. With that said, fighting against it is not an easy thing, whether you want to or not. At the same time, some would call it a mixed blessing, I guess. Anyhow, I have wanted to do something a bit different from what I usually do for a long time now and that is to make an all-stripped-down and laid-back album, where I use my clean vocals only. You who have followed me since the early days know I've made brief digressions, musically, of that sort before, like the 'Final State' trilogy (UNMOORED) and 'Lethean Tears' (SOLUTION .45), to name a few, so it's not like 'Self 2.0' is me heading out into completely unexplored territory. I've been there before, grubbing in its periphery. Then again, I guess you could see 'Self 2.0' as me going all the way for the first time, if you like![5]

The album was released on 19 October 2012.

Self 2.0 track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Once Adreamed"5:38
2."Time to Let Go"4:42
3."Departure Theme" (CD version only, or on the "Departure Theme" single on iTunes)5:16
4."Origins"4:31
5."City of Sand Castles" (CD version only, or on the "Departure Theme" single on iTunes)6:40
6."The Unforsaken"5:47
7."En Knippa Ljung"6:00
8."Waiting Out the Storm" (Vinyl version only, or on the "Waiting Out the Storm" single on iTunes)4:49
Total length:43:23

Former bands

Scar Symmetry
Main article: Scar Symmetry

Scar Symmetry is a Swedish metal band from Avesta in Dalarna County, formed in 2004. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast records. Christian sang on the first three albums and although not the lyricist (drummer Henrik Ohlsson instead handled that role), Christian had a major part on writing the vocal melodies on all three albums. He and the band had parted ways due to creative differences and touring conflicts after the release of their third full-length album Holographic Universe, and has since been replaced by Roberth Karlsson and Lars Palmqvist.

Guest appearances

References
  1. "Christian Älvestam (44 år) Tibro | Ratsit". www.ratsit.se.
  2. "Solution .45 Guitarist: We're Not a SCAR SYMMETRY Copy" Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.Net, Published Dec. 26, 2008. Accessed on July 20, 2009
  3. "Miseration", Encyclopaedia Metallum. Accessed On July 20, 2009
  4. "Tartarean Desire - People - Christian Älvestam". Retrieved August 25, 2009.
  5. "Former SCAR SYMMETRY Frontman To Release 'Self 2.0' EP". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 17, 2012.
  6. Skin and Bones (Album booklet). Lyriel. Back cover: AFM Records. 2014. AFM 498-9.CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. "One Man Army and the Undead Quartet - Error in Evolution - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com.
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