It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our brother in music, Sindre Nedland. For over two decades, Sindre's voice has been the heart and soul of In Vain. After informing us of his cancer diagnosis last year, we knew that his health had deteriorated, but it still feels surreal to write these words.
When Andreas and I founded In Vain back in 2003, we quickly decided we wanted clean vocals to complement the extreme vocals. We immediately thought of Sindre. He was that cheerful guy we'd hang out with from time to time, always up for a beer and a good laugh. When he first came to the studio, none of us could have imagined that this would be the beginning of a musical journey spanning more than 20 years.
Sindre's voice was unique - it had an ethereal, almost heavenly quality that became one of our trademarks. When you heard his voice, it was instantly recognizable and, in our opinion, it was one of metal's finest and most distinctive voices.
What started as singing, playing keys, and doing backing vocals evolved over the years. During the pre-production for the Ænigma album, he unveiled his powerful growls, revealing yet another dimension to his voice. Over time, Sindre naturally emerged as our front figure, commanding the stage with a presence that matched his extraordinary vocal abilities. Sindre was never afraid of challenging himself or stepping out of his comfort zone. There was no limit to what his vocals could do, or at least what he would be willing to try.
Sindre had a strong musical intuition – when he said something would work, it invariably did. He possessed not only an incredible voice but also a keen musical ear and it always felt safe to trust his judgement.
Anyone who knew Sindre will remember his positive energy and good humour. He always brought joy to the rehearsal room, on tours, and when playing shows. After a concert he was particularly fond of singing old '90s hits while enjoying a beer or two.
Last year, we received the devastating news that the cancer had returned. Sindre had fought this battle before, pouring his experiences into the deeply personal lyrics of "Season of Unrest" on our last album Solemn. He won that first fight, and we all believed he would win again. Sadly, this was not to be.
His final performance with us was at Karmøygeddon Festival in May last year. He was at his absolute best, delivering a show that we will cherish forever. Looking back now, we're grateful for that last memory together on stage.
We feel immensely fortunate and proud to have shared more than 20 years of music, friendship, and life with such an exceptional person and talent. And above all else, Sindre was a genuinely good person - something anyone who knew him would attest to.
Sindre leaves behind his wife Tine and their two children. Our thoughts and hearts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.
Farewell, Sindre. Thank you for the music, the memories, and the friendship. You will be deeply missed. Your voice may no longer be with us, but your legacy will continue to resonate through our music.
In Vain, Oslo, 4 March 2025
