Joacim Cans Remembers Chuck Schuldiner

In a heartfelt interview with Jaimunji, Joacim Cans, the frontman of Swedish heavy metal band Hammerfall, opened up about his experiences touring with the legendary American death metal icon Chuck Schuldiner of Death during the band's groundbreaking 1998 U.S. tour. Cans reflected on their unique friendship and the profound impact Schuldiner had on him.

"Touring with Chuck was a tremendous honor. I’m grateful I had the chance to know him before it was too late," Joacim shared. He recounted their last conversation in 2000, shortly before Schuldiner passed away due to pontine glioma, a rare form of brain cancer, at the age of just 34. "He called to check on us, and it was one of the last times we spoke. We lost him far too soon."

Cans highlighted the misconceptions surrounding Schuldiner, saying, "Chuck was living proof that you shouldn't judge people based on what others say." Despite hearing negative comments from various sources about Schuldiner's character, Joacim found him to be genuinely kind and supportive. "We heard things like, 'Oh be careful, Chuck is such a bad person.' But he was incredibly nice to us, and we had so much fun."

The vocalist vividly recalled the beginning of their tour together. "I was a bit anxious since we were a traditional heavy metal band and they were death metal. I remember thinking, 'This could be tricky.' But Chuck put me at ease, saying, 'It doesn't matter. We're all playing metal, together.'" Cans went on to describe an unforgettable moment when he nervously asked about set lengths. Chuck encouraged them, saying they'd have the freedom to play as long as they wanted: "Play an hour, an hour and a half—whatever you like!"

Adding a light-hearted note, Joacim revealed the creation of a fun joint project they called *The Waffle Heads*, inspired by the famous Waffle House restaurants. "We even performed under that name on our last show in Atlanta, complete with aprons and hats!"

Schuldiner's legacy continues to resonate within the metal community, especially as Death's influential discography undergoes a reissue campaign through Relapse Records.

Hammerfall's Musical Journey

Hammerfall's musical journey has been prolific, with their most recent album, "Avenge The Fallen," released in August via Nuclear Blast Records. After starting their career in 1997 with "Glory To The Brave," they made a triumphant return to Nuclear Blast in December 2022. Their entire catalog from "Glory To The Brave" to their 2014 album "(r)Evolution" has achieved diamond status, selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

The band’s successes include multiple gold and platinum certifications for albums like "Crimson Thunder," with a special platinum edition celebrating the album's legacy released in April 2023 filled with bonus material.

A Lasting Legacy

Joacim Cans’ admiration for Chuck Schuldiner serves as a powerful reminder to look beyond hearsay and appreciate the true character within individuals, a lesson that continues to resonate within the heavy metal community.