Jens Johansson (born November 2, 1963 in Stockholm) is a world-renowned Swe… Read Full Bio ↴Jens Johansson (born November 2, 1963 in Stockholm) is a world-renowned Swedish keyboardist and pianist in the power metal-genre. He is noted as one of the first and most influential "shred" keyboardists, for his high-speed neoclassical and fusion style.

Johansson is son of the well-known Swedish jazz pianist Jan Johansson and brother of the heavy metal drummer Anders Johansson. In 1982, the classically trained Johansson left the jazz fusion band Slem and joined the Swedish metal band Silver Mountain, which also included Anders. In 1983 he left Sweden for California and joined guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen as a member of his band, Rising Force. Numerous records and world tours ensued and he stayed with Yngwie until 1989. Johansson also played with the band Dio between 1989 and 1990. Like Anders, he began an ongoing collaboration with Jonas Hellborg in 1989 which has resulted in several well-received progressive and avant-garde recordings, including Dissident, Silent Run (an acoustic piano trio record with Ginger Baker on drums) and the hard core progressive fusion record, E.

In 1993, Johansson co-founded a progressive blues metal project, The Johansson Brothers, and recorded a self-titled record. In 1996, with a different line-up, they recorded another album, Sonic Winter, this time under the name "Johansson", with Yngwie Malmsteen guesting on guitar. The last Johansson record, The Last Viking, a more "European metal" oriented album, was released in 1999 with special guests Michael Romeo and Göran Edman.

Johansson has released several instrumental solo records such as Fjäderlösa Tvåfotingar, Ten Seasons (a piano solo album improvised in the Mark Kostabi gallery, New York), Heavy Machinery (with Anders and Allan Holdsworth) and Fission (with Anders, Shawn Lane and Mike Stern) and many collaborations with other artists, metal compilations and Berends Brothers' band Mastermind.

He co-founded Heptagon Records to distribute his own recordings and that of other musicians, such as guitarist Benny Jansson and bassist Magnus Rosén.

Johansson auditioned for Dream Theater after Kevin Moore left the band in 1994. Despite his technical prowess, Johansson was not accepted into the band. Some sources state[citation needed] that if he had joined he would not have been allowed to participate in the songwriting process until the band was certain Johansson was suitable. Apparently, Johansson lost his interest in the keyboardist spot after this.[citation needed]

He joined the power metal band Stratovarius in 1995 and has remained since, still releasing solo albums and appearing as a guest or session musician in other projects.

In the Mirror
Johansson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All in a flash of light

the truth is deep, the grave is shallow, a
Deeper mystery found, but there's no
One to follow
I see myself, a burning fire, the clock is
Ticking away, but I've never been higher

beyond the sky, is something there, I'm
Asking why, too much to bear, I'll find
My peace, it's in the light

in the mirror, seeing clearer, I see my
Soul

a flash of light, without a warning, the
Spell was broken again, with the mist of
The morning
Adrift in space, just like I'm falling, I
Vanish into the wall, is it Death that is
Calling

in the mirror, seeing clearer, seeing
Nearer, reach into the light

all in a flash of light

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Johansson's "In the Mirror" expresses a sense of enlightenment, but also a struggle to find guidance. The singer acknowledges a newfound level of understanding, describing the truth as "deep" while simultaneously seeing death as "shallow" compared to the mysteries they have yet to uncover. The idea of being "higher" could be interpreted as a spiritual awakening or a newfound sense of purpose. However, it seems that the singer is also grappling with the weight of the unknown, asking "why" and indicating that there is "too much to bear." Despite this, the singer is confident in their ability to find peace.

The second part of the song finds the singer experiencing a sudden realization or jarring wake-up call. The "flash of light" could signify a moment of epiphany, but it also seems to be a moment of terror. The "spell" that had been holding the singer in suspension has "broken again" and they are left "adrift in space" and possibly facing death. This image of falling or vanishing into the wall is both eerie and intriguing. The use of the word "wall" could refer to some kind of barrier or threshold, since the singer is wondering if "Death" is calling them. In the end, they turn towards the light of the mirror again, where they find clarity and feel closer to something beyond.

Line by Line Meaning

All in a flash of light
Suddenly, without warning or expectation, everything became clear as though light illuminated life

the truth is deep, the grave is shallow, a Deeper mystery found, but there's no One to follow
Realizing that although the answer appears to be revealed, there is no clear path to follow and much more is unknown than previously believed

I see myself, a burning fire, the clock is Ticking away, but I've never been higher
Recognizing oneself as passionate and driven, as time progresses, but feeling more alive and empowered than ever before

beyond the sky, is something there, I'm Asking why, too much to bear, I'll find My peace, it's in the light
Contemplating what exists beyond one's current understanding and why it is so difficult to comprehend, but being comforted in the thought of finding peace and enlightenment within light

in the mirror, seeing clearer, I see my Soul
Gaining a deeper understanding of oneself and feeling as though the soul is revealed through introspection

a flash of light, without a warning, the Spell was broken again, with the mist of The morning
Feeling as though yet another epiphany occurred suddenly and unexplained, but also feeling unsure as the clarity fades away

Adrift in space, just like I'm falling, I Vanish into the wall, is it Death that is Calling
Feeling as though completely adrift and overwhelmed, losing one's sense of self and connection to the world, and questioning whether this is the end

in the mirror, seeing clearer, seeing Nearer, reach into the light
Once again finding clarity and understanding in oneself through introspection and embracing enlightenment through the light

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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