AT THE GATES/Ex-THE HAUNTED Guitarist To Release Solo Debut In November

Former THE HAUNTED and current AT THE GATES guitarist Anders Björler will release his first solo album, "Antikythera" (formerly "The Antikythera Mechanism"),on November 6 via Razzia Notes, the label headed up by IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén. The CD was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark. The artwork and layout design was conceived by Costin Chioreanu (Twilight13Media)

A teaser for the album can be seen below.

"Antikythera" recording lineup:

* Anders Björler (THE HAUNTED, AT THE GATES) - Guitar, Keyboards, Mellotron & Moog
* Morgan Ågren (MATS & MORGAN BAND, KAIPA, FREDRIK THORDENDAL'S SPECIAL DEFECTS) - Drums, Percussion
* Dick Lövgren (MESHUGGAH) - Bass
* Carl Svensson - Additional Electric And Acoustic Guitars
* Peter Wiberg (THE SPOTNICKS) - Piano
* Anders Gabrielson - Saxophone

Most of us associate Anders Björler with chewing guitars and high-energy thrash metal assaults. With AT THE GATES, he invented the influential Gothenburg sound and with THE HAUNTED, two-time Swedish Grammis award winners, he confirmed his position as a unique creator of infectious riffs.

But when Anders Björler makes his debut as a solo artist, he chooses a whole different path.

"Antikythera" focuses around his love for Italian movie soundtracks from the '60s, '70s and '80s and adds a healthy dose of English prog rock, jazz, post-rock and a pinch of Swedish folk music. Anders Björler has recorded an album that paints pictures in your head, a kind of music best listened to with your eyes closed. The sounds might even take you all the way to the Greek island Antikythera in the year of 1901. That is when a diver discovers parts of an antique analog computer, dated to around '87 before our era. This is the kind of magical travels that Anders Björler offers with his music. If the recordings he did with AT THE GATES and THE HAUNTED was a perfect warm-up to a night out this is the big exhalation, the day after. It is a time for reflection.

The 12 songs require musicians with great perception and depth — and Anders Björler has found them. Extraordinary drummer Morgan Ågren has played with everyone from Frank Zappa to Tony Iommi, bass player Dick Lövgren tours with MESHUGGAH and piano player Peter Wiberg was a member of the legendary THE SPOTNICKS during the '70s. Together with guitarist Carl Svensson and saxophonist Anders Gabrielson, they handle Anders Björler's songs with great care and give the album an organic feeling.

"Antikythera" was mixed by Tue Madsen, known for his work with THE HAUNTED, among others.

"Even though this is not a metal album, I wanted a lively production with great dynamics," says Anders. "There is also a certain security about collaborating with someone I have worked with in the past. He is someone I can trust."

Björler claims that he will never stop playing metal. "Absolutely not," he says. "But this is the album I wanted to do at this time. Even with THE HAUNTED and AT THE GATES, there were melancholic and progressive parts that I have developed further with 'Antikythera'."

The solo debut presents integrity and demands an open mind. And the reward for those who take the time to really listen is so much bigger. This is the album Anders Björler has wanted to do for a long time and we are all welcome into his cinematic world. It is an exciting journey to places you did not think even existed.

Björler announced his departure from THE HAUNTED in October. He explained in a statement, "I feel that I have come to the end of the line regarding THE HAUNTED. This is not a sudden or hasty decision. I have been contemplating it for the last couple of years. Peter's [Dolving, vocals] departure [in early 2012] made me more certain than ever that I had reached my personal goal with THE HAUNTED, and that the time was right to call it quits. I have enjoyed every bit of the ride. It's been an overwhelming journey."