Backstage interview with Mats Levén in Tokyo

When Swedish vocalist Mats Levén returned to Tokyo for two special “Facing the Animal” shows, Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson had a brief chat with him backstage. In 1997, Mats Levén co-wrote and recorded the “Facing the Animal” album with Yngwie Malmsteen. The album was followed by a tour which took Yngwie, Mats and the band to Japan in 1998. “Facing the Animal” went gold in Japan and many fans have great memories of that album and the extensive Japan tour. Thus, when Japanese guitarist Jien Takahashi presented the idea of doing a couple of special “Facing the Animal” shows in Japan, Mats happily agreed. Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson first interviewed Mats in 1989. In this brief backstage interview after the first of the two Tokyo shows, they talk about the “Facing the Animal” shows, the status of Swedish Erotica and more. In addition to working with Yngwie Malmsteen, Mats’ career has included singing with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Candlemass, Treat, Swedish Erotica, Therion, Abstrakt Algebra, Southpaw, Skyblood, Dogface, Krux, Revertigo, Firewind, Gus G, Snowy Shaw and many more. Currently, he is the lead singer of the bands Vandenberg and Prins Svart. This interview was recorded backstage at Otsuka Hearts Plus in Tokyo, Japan, on 11th May 2026. #matsleven #facingtheanimal #yngwiemalmsteen #japantour #tokyo #backstageinterview #roppongirocks

Added 28 Jun 2026