Acclaimed Swedish heavy metal vocalist Christian Älvestam (SOLUTION .45, MISERATION, TORCHBEARER, SCAR SYMMETRY) will release his new solo EP, "Self 2.0", on October 19 through all major web-retail outlets and streaming services via Pivotal Rockordings.

"Self 2.0" is something different than what fans may expect from the singer/songwriter. Älvestam 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. In fact, I have always been listening to softer music, alongside the heavier stuff, which is probably why my own music so often, unintentionally, tends 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 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.

"Those 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!"

The first single from "Self 2.0", a song called "Once Adreamed", can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.

"Self 2.0" track listing:

01. Once Adreamed
02. Time To Let Go
03. Origins
04. The Unforsaken
05. En Knippa Ljung