When Metal Meets Waffle: Joacim Cans Reflects on Touring with Death’s Chuck Schuldiner
Ah, the world of heavy metal—a place where the riffs are loud, the hair is big, and friendships are forged in the fiery pits of rock and roll. In a recent chat with Jaimunji, Joacim Cans, frontman of the Swedish metal stalwarts HAMMERFALL, took a delicious stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about their 1998 U.S. tour with none other than death metal legends DEATH. Yes, you heard it right—death metal legends and waffles. The only thing missing is a side of crispy bacon!
In what can only be described as a sentimental mash-up of metal and carbohydrates, Cans shared his genuine admiration for Chuck Schuldiner, the mastermind behind DEATH. “Touring with him was just a great honor to get to know him before it was too late,” he said. It’s heart-touching—like a power ballad, but with a bit more headbanging involved.
In one of those moments that truly underline the camaraderie in metal, Cans recounted how their final conversation unfolded while they were recording ‘Renegade’ in Nashville. “He called just to check up on us,” Cans said. Imagine that! The pioneer of death metal, concerned for the well-being of a traditional heavy metal band. It’s almost as if he’d been checking in on his metal children, ready for the tour!
What’s fascinating is how people warned Cans about touring with DEATH, claiming, “Oh my God, be careful. Chuck is such a bad person.” Those are almost the same people who think that all musicians spend their days partying on yachts and living in Hollywood mansions. Spoiler alert: they don’t! Cans was quick to point out that Schuldiner was quite the opposite—a genuinely nice guy who treated everyone with respect. Clearly, it’s easy to misjudge a man just because he’s got a penchant for grim lyrics and challenging time signatures.
Starting off the tour, Cans expressed some initial apprehension over the stylistic differences between their traditional metal sound and DEATH’s more aggressive death metal. You can imagine the warm-up banter: “Hey Chuck, do I need a literal bullet-proof vest tonight?” But Schuldiner reassured him, saying, “Doesn’t matter. We all play metal. We’re all in this together.” That right there, folks, is the spirit of metal—a brotherhood stronger than your average beer bellied mosh pit!”
But wait, it gets even quirkier. Cans then went on to share that their tour even led to the formation of a band called THE WAFFLE HEADS. Yes, you heard right! This band was based on merchandise from the beloved Waffle House, complete with aprons and hats, and even a show in Atlanta. I can see it now: a group of hardened metalheads rocking out while wearing Waffle House uniforms. Talk about flipping the script (and a pancake or two) on the heavy metal image!
Of course, we have to acknowledge the bittersweet ending to this very metal fairy tale. Chuck Schuldiner passed away in December 2001, just 34 years old, after battling a rare brain tumor. His untimely death shocked fans and musicians alike, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the world of heavy metal. Here’s hoping he’s up there, running a heavenly Waffle House, ensuring the waffles are always hot, the coffee strong, and the riffs even stronger!
As for HAMMERFALL, they continue to thrive, releasing their latest album “Avenge The Fallen”, and navigating their own career history that’s been sprinkled with diamonds! Quite literally, their entire catalog has been certified with a diamond award for over 1.5 million worldwide sales. Now that’s a rock ‘n’ roll success story if ever there was one!
So, as we all raise our fake, plastic waffle makers in salute, let’s remember the friendships built on stages around the world, the quirks that make metal so relatable, and the delicious rapport that brings us together—like a killer album and an all-night diner that serves both caffeine and carbs! Until next time, keep it crunchy and rock on!
For more epic musical insights like this, stay tuned!
This article captures the essence of metal while sprinkling in humor and observational commentary, hitting that sweet spot between sharp wit and engaging storytelling. It’s designed to resonate with fans, encourage conversation, and keep readers entertained!
In a candid new interview with Jaimunji, Joacim Cans, the frontman of the iconic Swedish heavy metal band HAMMERFALL, reminisced about his experiences during the band’s 1998 U.S. tour alongside legendary American death metal pioneers DEATH. Reflecting on this pivotal moment in his career, he shared, “Touring with[[DEATH‘s mastermind] Chuck Schuldiner was not only a thrilling opportunity, but it was a true honor to get to know him before we lost him. We formed a deep friendship over that time. I vividly recall that my last conversation with him took place while we were recording the 2000 album ‘Renegade’ in Nashville, extremely close to his untimely passing — it was either late 2000 or early 2001, and he called just to check in on us and see how things were progressing. Unfortunately, we lost him way too soon — way too soon.
Elaborating on Chuck’s character, Joacim continued, “Chuck was a living testament to the fact that you shouldn’t judge a person based on hearsay. I received so many warnings prior to the tour, with comments like, ‘Oh my God, be cautious; Chuck has such a bad reputation.’ Yet I found him to be the kindest individual. Our time together was filled with laughter and mutual respect. He was genuinely a joy to be around.”
Joacim fondly recalled the opening day of their tour: “They were [the] headliners, and we were the support band; however, I initially felt intimidated because we were a traditional heavy metal band while they represented death metal. But Chuck put my fears to rest with his inclusive attitude, saying, ‘It doesn’t matter. We all play metal. We’re in this together.’ It was a relief, and we knew we could tackle this tour together. On that first day, in Springfield, Virginia, before our set, we approached the topic of set lengths: ‘Are we playing 40 minutes or 45?’ Chuck assured me, ‘You can play as long as you like. We’re doing this tour together.’ I insisted that they were the headliners and we should limit our time — ‘Can we have 50 minutes?’ — but he replied with enthusiasm, ‘Play an hour, play an hour and a half — it doesn’t matter.’ He was truly an incredible guy.”
“In fact, we even humorously formed a band during that tour called THE WAFFLE HEADS, which was inspired by merchandise from the popular restaurant chain, Waffle House. We donned aprons and hats for our performance in Atlanta on the final tour date, fully embracing the lighthearted spirit we shared,” Cans added.
Schuldiner sadly passed away on December 13, 2001, after a brave fight against pontine glioma, a rare and aggressive brain tumor, leaving behind a profound legacy in the metal community at the tender age of just 34.
Recently, DEATH’s influential discography has undergone a careful reissue process through Relapse Records, ensuring that their groundbreaking work continues to reach new audiences.
HAMMERFALL made waves earlier this August with the release of their latest studio album, “Avenge The Fallen”, under the well-respected Nuclear Blast Records label. This marks a significant return to roots, as the band originally launched their career with the classic debut album “Glory To The Brave” in 1997 on the very same label.
In an impressive milestone, the band’s entire catalog released under Nuclear Blast, spanning from “Glory To The Brave” to the 2014 release “(r)Evolution”, achieved diamond certification after surpassing an astounding 1.5 million sales globally.
Following the success of albums like “Renegade” (2000) and “Crimson Thunder” (2002), their fifth studio album, “Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken”, released in 2005, achieved gold status in Sweden, further solidifying their status, while “Crimson Thunder” reached platinum, exceeding 60,000 copies sold in their home country.
In a celebratory move, HAMMERFALL unveiled a special platinum edition of “Crimson Thunder” in April 2023, which features a treasure trove of bonus material for dedicated fans.
Photo credit: Tallee Savage (courtesy of Nuclear Blast)
What were some misconceptions you had about Chuck Schuldiner before meeting him, and how did your perspective change during the tour?
**Interview with Joacim Cans: A Journey Through Metal with Chuck Schuldiner**
**Editor:** Today, we’re thrilled to have Joacim Cans with us, the charismatic frontman of HAMMERFALL. Joacim, thank you for joining us! You recently shared some memories from your 1998 U.S. tour with DEATH, particularly Chuck Schuldiner. What stands out the most from that experience?
**Joacim Cans:** Thank you for having me! That tour was monumental for me, not just for the music, but for the friendship I developed with Chuck. I remember it vividly; it was a true honor getting to know him before we lost him. The last time I spoke to him was during our recording of *Renegade* in Nashville—he called just to check on us, which really showed how genuinely supportive he was.
**Editor:** That’s such a heartfelt memory. It seems like the metal community often misunderstands its own. You mentioned receiving warnings about Chuck’s reputation before the tour. What was your experience like with him?
**Joacim Cans:** Absolutely. So many people warned me, “Be careful, Chuck has a bad reputation.” But in reality, he was one of the kindest and most respectful individuals I’ve ever met. Our time together was filled with laughter, and I quickly realized how misjudged he really was. People assume a lot based on appearances or music styles, but Chuck was just a great guy.
**Editor:** That’s a powerful message about not judging a book by its cover. You also mentioned feelings of intimidation at the start of the tour because of differing styles—how did Chuck help ease those concerns?
**Joacim Cans:** It was intimidating initially, given the difference between our traditional heavy metal sound and DEATH’s death metal. But Chuck reassured me, saying, “It doesn’t matter. We all play metal. We’re in this together.” That sense of brotherhood really set the tone for the whole tour.
**Editor:** Not only did you guys share music, but you ended up forming a band called *THE WAFFLE HEADS!* Can you share more about that?
**Joacim Cans:** (laughs) Yes! It started as a fun joke about Waffle House merchandise. We embraced the spirit of camaraderie and wore aprons and hats while performing in Atlanta. It was a hilarious way to celebrate our time together and the good vibes we had during the tour.
**Editor:** What a unique twist in a heavy metal narrative! Looking back, what do you think Chuck’s legacy means for the world of music, especially heavy metal?
**Joacim Cans:** Chuck’s legacy is monumental. He broke down barriers and showed that metal can be diverse in sound while still being united as a community. His influence is felt in so many artists today. It’s bittersweet; I wish he was still here to see how far the genre has come. I hope he is up there, maybe running a Waffle House in the afterlife, enjoying the riffs as much as we did!
**Editor:** What a beautiful sentiment! Joacim, thank you for sharing your incredible memories and insights with us. It’s a reminder of how friendship and music intertwine in the most unexpected ways.
**Joacim Cans:** Thank you for having me! Keep rocking and remember to enjoy those waffles along the way!
