Smash Into Pieces: «We're coming to Mello 2026 like Rocky Balboa!" »
While the Swedish rock band Smash Into Pieces is preparing to return to the Melodifestivalen stage for the third time, we spoke with Benjamin, the creative mastermind behind Smash Into Pieces. Between a workout and guitar rehearsal, he talked to us about AI, their new track «Hollow »" and their burning desire to finally secure a ticket to Eurovision.
Benjamin, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. For those discovering the band for the first time, how would you describe the essence of Smash into Pieces?
I would describe it as sharing a very clear vision: never stop, as we like to say. It's always looking forward. Even though we've been doing this for nearly 20 years, every day feels like the first day of our career.
You released the album Harmaheaven In October, a new chapter in your Arcadia saga. It deals with digital warfare and AI takeover. What inspired this theme?
At the beginning, Arcadia was a somewhat amusing concept about the «Matrix «. But today, we see this reality becoming more real than ourselves. We spend an incredible amount of time playing avatars online, and AI is starting to take us out of the hierarchy. We had to make an album about how humans are becoming more and more "empty » (Hollow). What is our purpose if a machine does everything better than us? We need to come together. It is no longer us against ourselves, it is us against this new technological art.
Incidentally, your song for Melodifestivalen 2026 is called «Hollow »'. Is it a song tailored for the competition or one that ties in with your latest album?
It wasn't originally written for Mello, but for the next album. We always write to feed our overall narrative. But when we saw that the track had been selected, we thought, «Wow, what timing!« «. With AI exploding everywhere and this feeling of loss of bearings among humans, «Hollow »" comes at just the right time. Unlike "Six Feet Under »", which was very personal for Adam, "Hollow »" takes a macro, almost philosophical perspective on our place in the world.
This is your third time participating in a short period of time. What motivates you to return to Mello once again?
It's addictive! Once you try it, you're hooked. It's a family of creative minds, an incredible bubble of energy. And let's be honest: it's the best showcase in the world for a rock band. Underground scenes are shrinking, so when you have a platform like this, you go for it.
How are you approaching the level of competition this year?
It's always difficult to say. Last year, no one believed that KAJ was going to win, but they did. As a rock band, we are still underdogs, even if people believe in us. No Swedish rock band has ever participated in Eurovision. We're coming in like Rocky Balboa. We're coming in like underdogs, ready to give it our all and put up a hell of a fight. We're here to win.
We loved your collaboration with Liamoo on «Flame ». Is this the kind of connection that happens behind the scenes at Melodifestival?
Exactly. We knew each other a little, we had already played together, but Mello brought us very close. We share the same passion for fantasy worlds. Liamoo was always talking about dragons and fire... I wrote «Flame »" right after seeing one of his videos! That's the spirit of the competition: authentic human encounters.
Does the title «Hollow «" suggest a continuation of the emotional journey of "Six Feet Under »", or is it a turning point?
No. «Six Feet Under « was more of a private and personal story in Adam's life. «Hollow « is about humanity; it's a macro and philosophical perspective on what it means to be human in these unprecedented times. We've never been the 'second race' before. Hollow » is about that: the meaning of life. It's a broader song for humanity.
Is writing for Mello a different exercise for you than writing a traditional album?
The process remains the same because I have to like the song myself first. But it's an exercise in conciseness. It's like a speaker learning to say less in order to say more. You have three minutes to make an impact, to get the message across clearly and powerfully.
Since Mello 2023, have you noticed a change in how your songs are received outside Sweden?
Yes, absolutely. After Mello, everything exploded in Sweden, we were sold out everywhere. Then we saw 500 to 2,000 more people in Germany. Success in one country makes it easier to export the product, because the algorithms notice it. However, once the lights go out at Mello, we have to keep creating and pushing our songs; I write almost two songs a day. Mello and interviews are part of a big machine that helps us, which is why we are so eager to seize this opportunity again.
You have a growing audience in France and a tour planned at the Élysée Montmartre. What can your French fans expect?
The last time in Paris was magical! The French audience is passionate and expresses its feelings without filter. It's the exact opposite of AI, and that's what I need: humanity and passion. We arrive with a great solo « and total energy.
We thank Benjamin for his time. He told us that after our interview, he was going to practise some guitar exercises to prepare a «great solo » for that evening. We wish Smash Into Pieces every success for the future and for their participation in Mello 2026.
Smash Into Pieces will be performing at the Elysée Montmartre on 7 May 2026! https://www.elyseemontmartre.com/fr/programmation/smash-into-pieces/
