Fredrik Keith Croona, Mathias Back and Anders Ström are the electronic triumvirate that make up Swedish aggrotech group, Against I. This is a relatively new project, where they have married Croona’s tortured vocals with some scintillating synth work, which culminated with the debut album, Carnival Of Excess, plus a new single, “I Am The Way,” that is not so subtly a sledge hammer preview of the next album, threatening us on the horizon. So, it seems no better time than now to speak to lead singer Fredrik Keith Croona about…well…all of this!

Welcome Fredrik Keith Croona to the tea rooms of the Onyx, where cake and coffee are compulsory.

Fredrik, you hail from Sweden, so we are wondering what the industrial scene is like there and how you found your way into it?

Thank you for the warm welcome! The industrial scene is well, different here, I feel like the most clubs either focus on old school ebm and or synthpop here in Sweden, and or goth/darkwave. But in all honesty you are asking the wrong guy here, since I am mostly a metal head myself and rarely go out hahaha. But to answer your question, I think the alternative scene in Sweden is doing ok, there seems to be a lot of stuff going on.

How supportive of local artists is it there?

Now that is a hard question to answer, it all comes down to what genre you play I guess. I don’t believe Against I has a big fan base and support in Sweden, but of course there are a few. Then again I know of other Swedish local artists that have a huge fan base here. So I guess it depends on the band.

What acts or musicians influenced you in the beginning?

The first ever artist that inspired me to become a vocalist was Pantera and Philip Anselmo, I just loved the music and diversity in Phil’s voice. When I found the industrial music scene it was God Module, Grendel and Suicide Commando. I think similar to a lot of dark electro/aggrotech acts tbh.

Who floats your boat now?

Haha it all depends on my mood! Everything from “Scooter” to say “In Flames” or “Night Rage”. But my latest find was “Orbit Culture” a amazing metal band from Sweden which I had the pleasure of seeing live a few months ago.

Fredrik, you are one of the founding members of Brutal Resonance, the industrial reviewing powerhouse. Do you think that experience made you more critical or aware of the sort of music you were making?

Well, I had a small part of its start up , yes. But Patrik Lindström was the mastermind behind the zine. I don’t think so to be honest. Always been trying to do what I like and experiment from time to time, but I always feel like I end up doing the same thing kinda hahaha. I’m a one trick pony it seems.

Even you, yourself, have mentioned that you are in a lot of different projects. For those unfamiliar, how many are you involved with and which are your main ones?

If we are talking active projects as of this moment , then they are the following “Feeding Upon,” “Against I” or “Curse of Eibon” . There are quite a few more but none that are making any music at this moment . Main one is Against I which I am constantly writing for together with Mathias and Anders.

Most people are familiar with Menschdefekt and your other project, Cynical Existence. This brings us to your current project, Against I, with fellow Cynic, Anders Ström. Mathias Back is yet another member, so how did the band come together?

To answer that we have to rewind back into 2020 when I started up “Curse of Eibon” and that’s when I found Martin who plays guitar and writes most of the music for that band, and through the same forum I found Mathias who can play bass and guitar. And together with Anders the four of us founded that band. From there we found out that all of us work very well together and we have a creative drive. And the diversity was just perfect for Against I.

First was the EP, O.M.G, that stands for Obscene Morbid Gore which was on the label Insane Records and featured the single “Scum.” How important was getting this EP out there?

If I could I would release something every month, but I think ppl would be fed up with me also I doubt Adovxya would want to release my stuff every month haha. So , naturally it was important to release the EP to get something released. IR was good to us , but sadly we had to split ways after the release.

The EP was followed up by the juggernaut debut full length album “Carnival Of Excess” out on Advoxya Records. Can you tell a bit more about the premise behind album?

“Carnival of Excess” was a bit of a roller coaster, because all songs stem from my mind and experience and its kinda dark. Its all a big experiment you could say, a bit of a rider on a theme park with different styles, moods etc. For me the first album is always a experiment to see which direction to go after that, you know?

Again there are a couple of remixes by Miss Suicide and Teknovore. How important for you is it to have guest remixes and am I correct in sensing George of Teknovore and yourself kind of see each other as brothers?

It’s not super important, but more fun to see what others will do with your songs. What kind of spin they would put on it. Well, since we are both straight and married loves was already taken, so next best things would be brothers. I’m kidding of course! But in all seriousness, I’ve known George since about 2009 and I hold him in such high regards because he’s one of the nicest and most talented people I know. And every time we work together everything just work, you know?

Do you have a particular track off the album that is a favourite or really stands out for you as the core sound of Against I?

“Fleshride” is probably my favorite of the album, it has a good drive in it. And I would say it has that core sound that we have on that album.

You just dropped the latest single “I Am The Way”, so can you tell us what it all about?

“I Am The Way” is the perfect way to showcase what the new album from Against I will sound like and the direction we are moving. It’s more aggressive and in your face .

I want to touch on a compilation you were heavily involved in and very close to your heart. You lost your father to cancer (fuck cancer), and you brought together 23 musicians, each donating a track, where the money collected goes towards cancer research, with the combined help of Advoxya Records and Twisted Flesh Recordings. Can you please tell us how you orchestrated this mammoth task?

“A cure for darkness” is something I hold very close to exact the reason you wrote above. And when my father passed, I wanted to do something to help others who are battling and or know someone who is battling cancer. And an idea was to try and bring together some amazing bands and people to help out and create something amazing. All all praise should go to the artists and supporters and not me.

How much do you appreciate the musicians and labels championing your cause which touches everyone?

As cliché as it sounds, words can’t be written to say that. All people who are have helped are amazing and only earns the highest of praise from me.

Do you think you might make it a regular thing to release these compilations against cancer as well as to remember the victims and those affected by this blight?

Nah, don’t think so. If ppl wanted more then for sure, but I just want to focus on my music. It’s all I care about at the moment.

As you are constantly creating music, what is next for Fredrik Croona?

To create more music and evolve and move forward. I don’t want to release the same album every time. Then there is no point in making music. I have a job that earns me money, music is what I write for fun. The moment I get tired of making music, I will just call it quits. Simple as that.

Bats or no bats in the belfry, we wish you all the luck in everything you do.

Thank you so much, and I hope my answers has been satisfying.

And indeed they were!

Carnival Of Excess | Against, I | Advoxya Records (bandcamp.com)

I Am The Way | Against I | Twisted Flesh Recordings (bandcamp.com)

O.M.G | Against I | Insane Records (bandcamp.com)

VA – A Cure For Darkness | Twisted Flesh Recordings (bandcamp.com)

Facebook (Against I)

Facebook (Twisted Flesh Recordings)