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“We’ve put the past behind and focused more on happy songs on this album” – interview with The Gems
The Swedish trio The Gems, who split from Thundermother, are preparing to release their second studio album “Year Of The Snake” on March 13 through Napalm Records. Chaoszine spoke with the band’s drummer Emlee Johansson about the upcoming album and the feelings surrounding its release.
Greetings, The Gems! How has your year started and who will be answering to our questions?
Emlee Johansson: Hi, this is Emlee answering your questions! Our year started really good, counting down to our album release with some singles and interviews!
Your new album “Year Of The Snake” will be out in early March. What can fans expect from the album?
Emlee: High energy, heavy grooves and great songs as usual, haha ;) This is a development from ”Phoenix” , and for this album we have been focusing more on what type of songs we wanna have in our live shows, so the album is more live orientated. Sound is more heavy, this time we recorded the drums in legendary ”Studio Bohus” outside of Gothenburg, known for it’s stone wall recording room.
You’ve already released a few singles from the upcoming album. How has the feedback been so far? Anything unexpected?
Emlee: It’s been good, specially ”Year of the Snake” that went number one on the German rock radio charts, and our latest single ”Gravity” got 100 K views in just a week on YouTube. We are very happy that people like the songs!
Looking back at the writing and recording process, was there a moment where you felt “this album feels different”?
Emlee: Maybe that this album is more 80’s than the last one, but other that than, not really. We’ve just been writing songs that we think is good, with nice hooks. I guess the biggest difference are the lyrics, we’ve put the past behind and focused more on happy songs on this album. No emotional rollercoaster, just positive vibes and self love.
Sonically, how does “Year Of The Snake” build on what listeners heard on your previous album?
Emlee: We are still highly influenced by Queen, Van Halen and KISS, and we still have our sound with Guernicas amazing voice, Monas guitar riffs and melodic solos, and my heavy grooves. We play classic rock, but in a more modern sound.
Lyrically, what themes run through the album? Does the record tell a larger story, or is each song its own statement?
Emlee: The album is called ”Year of the Snake” and just like a snake sheds it’s skin and grow, the snake year is imbued with the symbolism of “rebirth and renewal.” It is seen as a turning point, encouraging people to embrace change and embark on new challenges with positivity. And that pretty much sums up what this album is all about. Leaving the past behind and step in to a new chapter in life.
Are there any particular tracks on the album that are especially important to you?
Emlee: I have many favorites on this album but ”Year of the snake” I am particularly proud of, because we thought it was gonna be played a lot on the radio and we were right! I also enjoy ”Hot Bait” because it stans out and is fun, and “Forgive and Forget” became a really powerful ballad that hits me in the heart.
Were there any boundaries you deliberately pushed or left behind?
Emlee: Mostly the past I guess, we don’t like to dwell on what happened with our previous band anymore, and we wanna focus 100% on The Gems and to continue to build what we have.
With the album on the way, what’s next for The Gems—touring, festivals, or plans that push the band even further?
Emlee: We are having a release party in Stockholm, the week after that we go on part 1 of our European tour ”Slithering through Europe 2026”, and then festivals in the summer. After summer we will continue will part 2, so yes, there will be a lot of touring and shows, promoting this album and build our brand.
Thank you for your time! Anything you’d like to add to your fans and our readers?
Emlee: I really hope you all enjoy this album and that I see you on a show this year!