In Flames
Encyclopedia
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal
band from Gothenburg
, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD
. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over 5 million records worldwide.
as a side project from his then-current death metal
band, Ceremonial Oath
. Jesper formed In Flames with the purpose of writing songs with a more melodic musical direction, something which he was not allowed to do in Ceremonial Oath. In 1993, Jesper decided to quit Ceremonial Oath due to musical differences and began focusing more on In Flames. That same year, Jesper (guitar
, drums
, keyboards
) recruited Glenn Ljungström
(guitar), and Johan Larsson (bass
) to form the first official In Flames line-up.
During 1993, In Flames wrote, recorded, and self-produced their debut studio album
, Lunar Strain
, in Studio Fredman
. Since In Flames did not have a vocalist yet, Jesper asked Mikael Stanne
of Dark Tranquillity
to provide session vocals
. In 1994, Lunar Strain was released.
During 1994, In Flames recorded and self-produced their first EP
, Subterranean, in Studio Fredman. In Flames still did not have a vocalist yet, so session vocals were provided this time by Henke Forss. In 1995, Subterranean was released. Subterranean garnered much attention and led the band to acquire a record deal with Nuclear Blast
.
to join the band as the full-time drummer, and 6 months later asked Anders Fridén
to join the band as the full-time vocalist. That same year, the new line up recorded and released the band's second studio album, The Jester Race
. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman, but unlike previous albums, it was co-produced by the studio's owner, Fredrik Nordström
. Their Drummer Bjorn Gelotte also provided some lead, and acoustic Guitars for the album. Afterwards, In Flames toured with bands such as Samael
, Grip Inc.
, and Kreator
.
. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Fredrik Nordström. Once again Bjorn Gelotte provided some lead, and acoustic Guitars for the album. Glenn Ljungström and Johan Larsson unexpectedly announced that they were leaving In Flames after the album was recorded. Niklas Engelin (guitar) and Peter Iwers
(bass) were recruited to fill in the vacant spots during a tour with Dimmu Borgir
. After the tour both Niklas Engelin and Peter Iwers were asked to join the band permanently, and they did. With the new line-up, In Flames then proceeded with a Europe
an tour and played their first two shows in Japan
. However, by the end of that tour in 1998, Niklas Engelin quit In Flames, so the band decided to switch Björn Gelotte from his position as drummer to guitarist, and they recruited Daniel Svensson
to take over as drummer.
. Afterwards, In Flames toured Europe, Japan, and played their first show in the United States
during the Milwaukee Metal Fest.
In 2000, In Flames recorded and released their fifth studio album, Clayman
. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Fredrik Nordström. Afterwards, In Flames did some tours with bands such as Dream Theater
, Slipknot
, and Testament
. In August 2001, In Flames released The Tokyo Showdown
, a live album recorded during the Japanese tour in November 2000.
. Unlike all previous albums, Reroute to Remain was not recorded in Studio Fredman
or produced by Fredrik Nordström
. The album was produced by Daniel Bergstrand and recorded in a house the band rented in Denmark, except for the drums which were recorded at Dug-Out studio. Reroute to Remain represented a major stylistic shift for In Flames music, in the addition of clean vocals, catchier choruses and no more growls. It was also their first album to have official singles released from it. That year the band toured with bands such as Slayer
, Soulfly
, and Mudvayne
.
, and released it in 2004. The majority of the album was recorded in a house that the band rented in Denmark
, only the drums were recorded in Dug-Out studio. This album was once again produced by Daniel Bergstrand. Soundtrack to Your Escape increased the band's popularity considerably, selling 100,000 copies in the United States and yielding a #2 single on the Swedish charts with The Quiet Place. Four music videos were filmed: "The Quiet Place", "My Sweet Shadow", "F(r)iend" and "A Touch of Red", all of which were directed by Patric Ullaeus
. The ensuing world tour saw the band make their first trip to Australia, where they played to mostly sold out crowds. Afterward, In Flames toured with bands such as Judas Priest
, Mötley Crüe
, and Motörhead. In Flames was also featured on the main stage at Ozzfest 2005
.
, in Dug-Out studio. That same year, In Flames released Used and Abused: In Live We Trust
, a box set consisting of material filmed and recorded throughout various live performances during 2004. The DVD was filmed, edited and directed by Ullaeus. Also in 2005, In Flames decided to sign with an additional record label so future releases could have better distribution in North America
. In 2006, Come Clarity was released in North America through Ferret Music
and elsewhere through Nuclear Blast
. It became the band's first #1 album on the Swedish charts. A bonus DVD of In Flames playing all the songs in a rehearsal studio was also released. Ullaeus again directed their music video for "Take This Life". That same year, In Flames toured with Sepultura
, co-headlined a U.S. tour with Lacuna Coil
, toured on The Unholy Alliance
tour, was one of the headliners on the Sounds of the Underground
tour, and played on the main stage at Download Festival
.
In 2007, the band played in Dubai
for the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival
. In Flames also played at Bloodstock Open Air festival in August 2007.
, Sweden
(formerly Studio Fredman
). Alongside the recording sessions, the band released studio diaries documenting the recording process. On January 23, 2008 the band confirmed that they had recorded a video for the single "The Mirror's Truth", and posted photos from the video on their official Myspace profile. In Flames were featured on the Gigantour
3 North American tour with Megadeth
, Children of Bodom
, Job for a Cowboy
, and High on Fire
.
On April 4, 2008, In Flames released their 9th studio album, A Sense of Purpose
. The first single from the new album was titled "The Mirror's Truth
" and was released in Europe
on March 7, 2008. In June 2008, In Flames performed at Metaltown Festival
, Metalcamp
, Graspop Metal Meeting
, Nova Rock Festival
, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, Gigantour
and Download Festival
. In late August 2008, In Flames filmed a video for the second single, "Alias", once again directed by Ullaeus. From January 2008 to December 2009 In Flames toured on the A Sense of Purpose Tour
.
On February 3, 2009, the band announced that Jesper Strömblad
would not be participating in the Australia/South America/Japan tour in order to get treatment for his alcohol abuse problems. Niklas Engelin was announced as his replacement for the tour. On February 18, the band announced their United Kingdom and Ireland tour would not go ahead as planned due to Jesper Strömblad's alcohol rehabilitation and the birth of Peter Iwers' child. On March 4, 2009, the band announced that the third single from A Sense of Purpose is the track "Delight and Angers". The video premiered on the band's Myspace on March 25. It was once again directed and produced by Ullaeus. Alex Pardee
did the artwork for the song like he did with all of A Sense of Purpose.
The band announced on August 5 that they would be teaming up with Killswitch Engage
, Dead by April
, Every Time I Die
and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
for the UK leg of the Taste of Chaos 2009
tour in November.
stated that their relationship with Strömblad was not going well. On February 28, 2011, it was announced that Engelin had re-joined the band to take the vacant spot left by Strömblad's departure.
In early 2010 In Flames collaborated with Pendulum
on their third studio album, Immersion
. The song, titled "Self versus Self", is one of three collaborations on the album.
On October 11, 2010, In Flames entered IF Studios in Göteborg to start recording their new album, tentatively titled Sounds of a Playground Fading
. On January 25, 2011, it was announced that the recording of the new album was finished and that the album was being mixed. The album was recorded with producer Roberto Laghi.
To support the album In Flames performed at the Sonisphere Festival
in Knebworth, and alongside Megadeth
, Trivium
, Machine Head
, Godsmack
, and Disturbed at the Mayhem Festival 2011
. They also played at Hellfest Festival 2011, headlining the second main stage, and Nova Rock Festival in Austria.
In March 2011, In Flames signed with Century Media Records
. On April 6, 2011, In Flames announced their newest single, "Deliver Us", was slated for a May release.
For part of the European tour, Jonas Ekdahl
of DeathDestruction filled in for Daniel Svensson
on drums, after Svensson's decision to remain in Sweden for a time following the birth of his child.
Sounds of a Playground Fading was released in Sweden on June 15, 2011, on June 17, 2011 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway, on June 20, 2011 in the UK, Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark and Portugal, on June 21, 2011 in North America, Spain and Italy, on June 22, 2011 in Finland, Hungary and Japan, and on June 24, 2011 in Australia and New Zealand. A video was made for "Deliver Us". It was filmed in Gothenburg, and was again directed by Ullaeus, who also directed the second video from Sounds of a Playground Fading, "Where the Dead Ships Dwell".
and At the Gates
, pioneered what is now known as melodic death metal
. The founding members of all three bands all lived in Gothenburg
, Sweden
and they were all friends who shared the same musical interests. Eventually, that group of friends branched off into three bands with the same musical direction, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and At the Gates.
Jesper Strömblad
formed In Flames to write music that combined the melodic guitar style of Iron Maiden
with the brutality of death metal
, something which Jesper stated he had never heard any band do. In writing songs, Jesper also decided to make use of keyboards
, something which was (at the time) uncommon in death metal. Ever since In Flames' debut studio album
, Lunar Strain
, the band has made use of keyboards, although other extreme metal bands such as Cradle of Filth
had been using keyboards years before them. Despite their sometimes heavy use of keyboards in their music, they still refuse to recruit a full-time keyboardist.
melodies and screaming-style singing along with death growl
. In early albums such as The Jester Race
, In Flames would often employ two harmonized lead guitars playing over a rhythm guitar
. However, since the band only has two guitar players, they found it hard to reproduce those songs during live performances
and ever since Reroute to Remain
they have focused on writing songs with the intention of playing them live. On the album Soundtrack to Your Escape
, the band focused on less guitar melodies, giving place for more synths. However, this has not been continued on the later albums.
In Flames' vocal style is characterized by the use of growled vocals or screamed vocals complemented at times by clean vocals. In more recent albums such as Come Clarity
, the band makes more prominent use of clean vocals, especially during choruses
. In Flames' lyrics have also varied during their career. In early albums such as The Jester Race and Whoracle
, In Flames' lyrics focused on astrology
, mankind
, and other global themes. In later albums such as Soundtrack to Your Escape and Come Clarity, In Flames' lyrics focus more on personal issues, thoughts, and other introspective themes.
Since Reroute to Remain was released in 2002, In Flames fan base has been split because of the gradual change in style, towards a more alternative
sound. Still, In Flames have a solid and growing worldwide fanbase. The stylistic changes include screamed and clean vocals, as opposed to the death growl on the early records, more prominent rhythm section and less guitar melodies and solos, more obvious use of synthesizers and electronics and a clear influence from modern American metal in especially the uplifting chorus melodies. This later style of the band has been noted by AllMusic for influences from both metalcore
and alternative metal
.
. Many metalcore bands such as Trivium
, Darkest Hour, Slowlife, As I Lay Dying
, and Still Remains
name In Flames as one of their biggest influences. In Flames is also a direct influence on many of the melodic death metal
bands that have followed. Melodic death metal bands such as Insomnium
, Omnium Gatherum
, and Blood Stain Child
also include In Flames as one of their biggest influences.
awards (the Swedish
equivalent of the Grammy Awards) to date. In 2005, In Flames won their first Grammis award in the category of Best Hard Rock/Metal Album for Soundtrack to Your Escape
. In 2006, In Flames won the Swedish Export Award, their second Grammis award. In Flames was the first metal
band to ever win that award and the Swedish economy minister at the time, Thomas Östros
, was quoted as saying "Thanks to In Flames, Sweden now have a metal band in the absolute world elite." In 2007, In Flames once again won the category of Best Hard Rock/Metal Album for Come Clarity
. They have also won the "Best international Band" award from the Metalhammer Golden Gods in 2008. In 2009, In Flames won a Grammis for "Best Hard Rock" for A Sense Of Purpose
.
, The Jester Race
, Anders Fridén
and Niklas Sundin
came up with an idea to create a symbol
/mascot
for In Flames. The result was the Jester Head. This symbol made its first appearance in the cover artwork of The Jester Race and ever since, the Jester has been featured in various forms somewhere on every studio album
that In Flames has released, either as a song title or on the album artwork. The Jester Head is also featured in many of In Flames' merchandise and has been featured in banners as part of In Flames' live set. In anticipation of their ninth studio album, A Sense of Purpose
, the official In Flames fansite was launched, featuring the Jester Head as the site's symbol (and domain name).
Former members
* Engelin has been an on and off member since 2006-2011, filling in for then guitarist, Jesper, who could not play because he had been struggling with his ongoing battle with alcoholism. As of 2011, Engelin is an official, full-time member of In Flames.
Timeline
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over 5 million records worldwide.
Lunar Strain (1993–1994)
In Flames was founded in the year 1990 by Jesper StrömbladJesper Strömblad
Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad is a Swedish musician who is currently the guitarist for the bands Dimension Zero & The Resistance...
as a side project from his then-current death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band, Ceremonial Oath
Ceremonial Oath
Ceremonial Oath was a Swedish extreme metal band who formed in 1988 under the name "Desecrator", changed their name to Ceremonial Oath in 1990 and disbanded in 1995. During their short career they released three demos, one EP and two full-length albums...
. Jesper formed In Flames with the purpose of writing songs with a more melodic musical direction, something which he was not allowed to do in Ceremonial Oath. In 1993, Jesper decided to quit Ceremonial Oath due to musical differences and began focusing more on In Flames. That same year, Jesper (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) recruited Glenn Ljungström
Glenn Ljungström
Glenn Ljungström was the original guitarist of the Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames along with the band's founder, Jesper Strömblad. He was a member of In Flames from 1993 until 1997, after which he quit In Flames to support his family with a more stable job. He was fired from multiple...
(guitar), and Johan Larsson (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) to form the first official In Flames line-up.
During 1993, In Flames wrote, recorded, and self-produced their debut studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Lunar Strain
Lunar Strain
Lunar Strain is the debut album by Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames. In this release, vocals were sung by Mikael Stanne, the vocalist of Dark Tranquillity, who was a session musician for In Flames at the time. The album is known for its "folky elements" with the inclusion of violins and...
, in Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman is a recording studio in Göteborg, Sweden, owned and operated by producer Fredrik Nordström.It is popular among Swedish metal bands, with artists such as At the Gates, Deathstars, Nightrage, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth, In Flames, Zonaria,...
. Since In Flames did not have a vocalist yet, Jesper asked Mikael Stanne
Mikael Stanne
Bengt Mikael Stanne is the vocalist for the Swedish melodic death metal band Dark Tranquillity and the ex-vocalist for Swedish power metal band HammerFall.-Dark Tranquillity:...
of Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene, and are one of the most integral pioneers of the melodic death metal genre of music....
to provide session vocals
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
. In 1994, Lunar Strain was released.
During 1994, In Flames recorded and self-produced their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Subterranean, in Studio Fredman. In Flames still did not have a vocalist yet, so session vocals were provided this time by Henke Forss. In 1995, Subterranean was released. Subterranean garnered much attention and led the band to acquire a record deal with Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
.
The Jester Race (1995–1996)
In 1995, In Flames finally got tired of using session musicians to record an album or to do live shows, so the trio asked Björn GelotteBjörn Gelotte
Björn Gelotte is a songwriter and guitarist for the Swedish band, In Flames. He joined the band as the drummer in 1995, and continued his position as drummer during The Jester Race and Whoracle . Gelotte switched to his current position on guitars after Niklas Engelin left the band, sharing...
to join the band as the full-time drummer, and 6 months later asked Anders Fridén
Anders Fridén
Anders Fridén is the vocalist/lyricist of the Swedish band In Flames-Early career:Fridén was originally the vocalist for Dark Tranquillity. He performed on their debut album, Skydancer, but left the band soon after. Two years later he joined In Flames...
to join the band as the full-time vocalist. That same year, the new line up recorded and released the band's second studio album, The Jester Race
The Jester Race
The Jester Race is the second album by melodic death metal band In Flames. It is the first album to feature Anders Fridén as the band's vocalist and Björn Gelotte as the drummer. A video for the song "Artifacts of the Black Rain" was also released...
. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman, but unlike previous albums, it was co-produced by the studio's owner, Fredrik Nordström
Fredrik Nordström
Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born on 5 January 1967, is a Swedish record producer and guitar player for the heavy metal band Dream Evil. Nordström is one of the leading melodic death metal producers in Sweden, and he has worked with some of the genre's top acts, including At the Gates, Arch Enemy,...
. Their Drummer Bjorn Gelotte also provided some lead, and acoustic Guitars for the album. Afterwards, In Flames toured with bands such as Samael
Samael (band)
Samael is a industrial black metal band formed in 1987 in Sion, Switzerland.-Biography:Although much of their music from the mid-1990s onwards has incorporated electronic sounds which would best define their genre as industrial metal, they are an early 2nd Wave black metal band and an innovator for...
, Grip Inc.
Grip Inc.
Grip Inc. is a groove metal band and a side project of drummer Dave Lombardo. The band was formed in 1993, and they are currently signed to SPV Records...
, and Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
.
Whoracle (1997–1998)
In 1997, In Flames recorded and released their third studio album, WhoracleWhoracle
-Personnel:In Flames*Anders Fridén - vocals, additional percussion*Jesper Strömblad - lead guitar, keyboards, additional percussion*Glenn Ljungström - rhythm guitar*Johan Larsson - bass*Björn Gelotte - drums, percussion & additional lead guitar...
. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Fredrik Nordström. Once again Bjorn Gelotte provided some lead, and acoustic Guitars for the album. Glenn Ljungström and Johan Larsson unexpectedly announced that they were leaving In Flames after the album was recorded. Niklas Engelin (guitar) and Peter Iwers
Peter Iwers
Peter Iwers is the current bass player of the Swedish band In Flames. He has played in In Flames along with Daniel Svensson since their 1999 album Colony, replacing Johan Larsson....
(bass) were recruited to fill in the vacant spots during a tour with Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir...
. After the tour both Niklas Engelin and Peter Iwers were asked to join the band permanently, and they did. With the new line-up, In Flames then proceeded with a Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an tour and played their first two shows in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. However, by the end of that tour in 1998, Niklas Engelin quit In Flames, so the band decided to switch Björn Gelotte from his position as drummer to guitarist, and they recruited Daniel Svensson
Daniel Svensson
Daniel Svensson is the current drummer and youngest member of the Swedish band In Flames, and drummer / vocalist for the band Sacrilege GBG. He was also in Diabolique before he joined In Flames in 1998 to fill the position created when Björn Gelotte moved from drums to guitars...
to take over as drummer.
Colony and Clayman (1999–2001)
In 1999, the new line-up recorded and released the band's fourth studio album, Colony. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Fredrik Nordström. Also the second solo on Coerced Coexistence was recorded by Kee MarcelloKee Marcello
Kee Marcello is a Swedish musician, best known as the former guitarist in the rock band Europe. He is currently pursuing his solo career.-Career:...
. Afterwards, In Flames toured Europe, Japan, and played their first show in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the Milwaukee Metal Fest.
In 2000, In Flames recorded and released their fifth studio album, Clayman
Clayman
Clayman is the fifth album by Swedish melodic death metal band, In Flames. The album was released by Nuclear Blast in 2000. Most of the lyrics deal with depression and internal struggles...
. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Fredrik Nordström. Afterwards, In Flames did some tours with bands such as Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
, Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
, and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. In August 2001, In Flames released The Tokyo Showdown
The Tokyo Showdown
The Tokyo Showdown is the first live album by Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames. It was recorded during their Japanese tour in 2000 at their show in Tokyo...
, a live album recorded during the Japanese tour in November 2000.
Reroute to Remain (2002–2003)
In 2002, In Flames recorded and released their sixth studio album, Reroute to RemainReroute to Remain
-Personnel:In Flames*Anders Fridén – vocals & mixing*Jesper Strömblad – guitar*Björn Gelotte – guitar*Peter Iwers – bass guitar*Daniel Svensson – drumsOther Personnel*Maria Gauffin - co-vocals on "Metaphor"*Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards, programming...
. Unlike all previous albums, Reroute to Remain was not recorded in Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman is a recording studio in Göteborg, Sweden, owned and operated by producer Fredrik Nordström.It is popular among Swedish metal bands, with artists such as At the Gates, Deathstars, Nightrage, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth, In Flames, Zonaria,...
or produced by Fredrik Nordström
Fredrik Nordström
Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born on 5 January 1967, is a Swedish record producer and guitar player for the heavy metal band Dream Evil. Nordström is one of the leading melodic death metal producers in Sweden, and he has worked with some of the genre's top acts, including At the Gates, Arch Enemy,...
. The album was produced by Daniel Bergstrand and recorded in a house the band rented in Denmark, except for the drums which were recorded at Dug-Out studio. Reroute to Remain represented a major stylistic shift for In Flames music, in the addition of clean vocals, catchier choruses and no more growls. It was also their first album to have official singles released from it. That year the band toured with bands such as Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
, and Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
.
Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004–2005)
In 2003, In Flames recorded their seventh studio album, Soundtrack to Your EscapeSoundtrack to Your Escape
-Bonus DVD:Note: The DVD came in a separate slimline jewelcase, that was bundled together with the limited edition digipak-version of the album.-Bonus DVD :...
, and released it in 2004. The majority of the album was recorded in a house that the band rented in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, only the drums were recorded in Dug-Out studio. This album was once again produced by Daniel Bergstrand. Soundtrack to Your Escape increased the band's popularity considerably, selling 100,000 copies in the United States and yielding a #2 single on the Swedish charts with The Quiet Place. Four music videos were filmed: "The Quiet Place", "My Sweet Shadow", "F(r)iend" and "A Touch of Red", all of which were directed by Patric Ullaeus
Patric Ullaeus
Patric Ullaeus is an award winning director, photographer and artist. He is the founder of Revolver Film Company which is based in Sweden.-Videography:2011Patric Ullaeus is an award winning director, photographer and artist...
. The ensuing world tour saw the band make their first trip to Australia, where they played to mostly sold out crowds. Afterward, In Flames toured with bands such as Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
, Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
, and Motörhead. In Flames was also featured on the main stage at Ozzfest 2005
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
.
Come Clarity (2006–2007)
In 2005, In Flames recorded and self-produced their eighth studio album, Come ClarityCome Clarity
- In Flames :* Anders Fridén – vocals* Björn Gelotte – guitar * Jesper Strömblad – guitar * Peter Iwers – bass* Daniel Svensson – drums- Guests :* Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards and programming...
, in Dug-Out studio. That same year, In Flames released Used and Abused: In Live We Trust
Used and Abused: In Live We Trust
Used and Abused: In Live We Trust is a DVD release by Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames, released on June 18, 2005. Directed and produced by Patric Ullaeus It was also released in a limited edition 2 CD/ 2 DVD boxset....
, a box set consisting of material filmed and recorded throughout various live performances during 2004. The DVD was filmed, edited and directed by Ullaeus. Also in 2005, In Flames decided to sign with an additional record label so future releases could have better distribution in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. In 2006, Come Clarity was released in North America through Ferret Music
Ferret Music
Ferret Music is an independent record label, founded in 1996. The label is owned in part by NORA's vocalist, Carl Severson, and in part by Philadelphian artist manager Paul Conroy, and based in West Windsor Township, New Jersey...
and elsewhere through Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
. It became the band's first #1 album on the Swedish charts. A bonus DVD of In Flames playing all the songs in a rehearsal studio was also released. Ullaeus again directed their music video for "Take This Life". That same year, In Flames toured with Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
, co-headlined a U.S. tour with Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil is an Italian gothic metal band from Milan. Formed in 1994, the group has had two name changes since being previously known as Sleep of Right and Ethereal and was inspired by the combination of gothic imagery and music...
, toured on The Unholy Alliance
The Unholy Alliance (tour)
The Unholy Alliance Tour is a biennial heavy metal concert tour of Europe and North America, with the tag-line "Preaching to the Perverted". The tour is headlined by the thrash metal band Slayer, and featured Trivium, Amon Amarth and Mastodon in its latest edition.-Europe 2004:The 2004 European...
tour, was one of the headliners on the Sounds of the Underground
Sounds of the Underground
The Sounds of the Underground tour was a festival-like tour that rivaled Ozzfest in its first year of existence .The tour features extreme metal and metalcore, and hardcore bands. The existence of this tour, which was held in national arenas, was to attract the rising interest of metal, hardcore,...
tour, and played on the main stage at Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
.
In 2007, the band played in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
for the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival
Dubai Desert Rock Festival
The Dubai Desert Rock Festival was an event celebrating various styles of rock and metal music on one stage in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the time, it was the only festival of its kind in the Middle East. As well as live music, extreme sports were also featured as crowd attractions...
. In Flames also played at Bloodstock Open Air festival in August 2007.
A Sense of Purpose (2008–2010)
In October 2007, In Flames finished recording their ninth studio album in IF Studios, their own studios located in GothenburgGothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(formerly Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman
Studio Fredman is a recording studio in Göteborg, Sweden, owned and operated by producer Fredrik Nordström.It is popular among Swedish metal bands, with artists such as At the Gates, Deathstars, Nightrage, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth, In Flames, Zonaria,...
). Alongside the recording sessions, the band released studio diaries documenting the recording process. On January 23, 2008 the band confirmed that they had recorded a video for the single "The Mirror's Truth", and posted photos from the video on their official Myspace profile. In Flames were featured on the Gigantour
Gigantour
Gigantour is the name of a sporadically organised traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. The tour was founded in 2005 with dates across North America, and the 2006 and 2007 line-ups also traveled to Australia...
3 North American tour with Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, Job for a Cowboy
Job for a Cowboy
Job for a Cowboy is a American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band's debut album Genesis was released in 2007, peaking at #54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009's Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in...
, and High on Fire
High on Fire
High on Fire is a stoner metal band from Oakland, California, that was formed in 1998. Matt Pike, the band's frontman and founder, previously played guitar for the influential stoner doom band Sleep.-History:...
.
On April 4, 2008, In Flames released their 9th studio album, A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Purpose is the ninth studio album by Swedish band In Flames. The album was released in first Japan on March 26, 2008 with 15 tracks and later in Europe on April 4, 2008 through Nuclear Blast and through Koch Records in North America on April 1. This is the band's last album to feature...
. The first single from the new album was titled "The Mirror's Truth
The Mirror's Truth
"The Mirror's Truth" is the first single released by In Flames from their ninth album A Sense of Purpose. The disc contains the single and three songs, out of which two are previously unreleased, that didn't appear on the album. This single is available to Europe, Hot Topic, and the American iTunes...
" and was released in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
on March 7, 2008. In June 2008, In Flames performed at Metaltown Festival
Metaltown Festival
The Metaltown Festival is a two day festival featuring heavy metal music bands, held in Gothenburg, Sweden. It has been arranged annually since 2004, taking place at the Frihamnen venue...
, Metalcamp
Metalcamp
Metalcamp is a heavy metal music festival held annually in Slovenia since 2004.-2004:Danzig, Apocalyptica, Hypocrisy, Sentenced, Primal Fear, Katatonia, Dew-Scented, Dead Soul Tribe, Fleshcrawl, Mnemic, Prospect, Belphegor, Ancient, Destruction, Brainstorm, Dark Funeral, Vintersorg, Finntroll,...
, Graspop Metal Meeting
Graspop Metal Meeting
Graspop Metal Meeting is an annual metal festival in Dessel, Belgium that has taken place each year since 1996. Despite the small size of the festival grounds the festival draws a large number of international spectators, with a total of 142,000 visitors in the course of the 2011 edition...
, Nova Rock Festival
Nova Rock Festival
The Nova Rock Festival, also just Nova Rock, is a music festival that has existed since 2005 and takes place each year in June. It is Austria's biggest rock music festivals, and also one of the largest in Europe. It is located in Burgenland, the easternmost federal state of Austria, near...
, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, Gigantour
Gigantour
Gigantour is the name of a sporadically organised traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. The tour was founded in 2005 with dates across North America, and the 2006 and 2007 line-ups also traveled to Australia...
and Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
. In late August 2008, In Flames filmed a video for the second single, "Alias", once again directed by Ullaeus. From January 2008 to December 2009 In Flames toured on the A Sense of Purpose Tour
A Sense of Purpose Tour
A Sense of Purpose Tour was a concert tour by Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames in support of the act's ninth studio album, A Sense of Purpose, which was released in April 2008....
.
On February 3, 2009, the band announced that Jesper Strömblad
Jesper Strömblad
Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad is a Swedish musician who is currently the guitarist for the bands Dimension Zero & The Resistance...
would not be participating in the Australia/South America/Japan tour in order to get treatment for his alcohol abuse problems. Niklas Engelin was announced as his replacement for the tour. On February 18, the band announced their United Kingdom and Ireland tour would not go ahead as planned due to Jesper Strömblad's alcohol rehabilitation and the birth of Peter Iwers' child. On March 4, 2009, the band announced that the third single from A Sense of Purpose is the track "Delight and Angers". The video premiered on the band's Myspace on March 25. It was once again directed and produced by Ullaeus. Alex Pardee
Alex Pardee
Alex Pardee is a freelance artist, apparel designer, and a writer born in Antioch, California, USA who is best known for illustrating The Used's album artwork...
did the artwork for the song like he did with all of A Sense of Purpose.
The band announced on August 5 that they would be teaming up with Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
, Dead by April
Dead by April
Dead by April is a Swedish metal band from Gothenburg, formed in February 2007. The band consists of Jimmie Strimell, Zandro Santiago, Marcus Wesslén and Alex Svenningsson. They released their self-titled debut album in May 2009. In 2010 the two guitarists, Pontus Hjelm and Johan Olsson, left the...
, Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster is an American, Southern metalcore band formed in 2004 in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2005, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster signed to Mono Vs Stereo and released their self-titled debut album...
for the UK leg of the Taste of Chaos 2009
Taste of Chaos 2009
Taste of Chaos 2009 is the fifth installment of the Taste of Chaos tours created by Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman. Lyman handpicked each band for the tour and believes they are "all on the brink of breakout success." Bring Me the Horizon, Four Year Strong, and Pierce the Veil will rotate their...
tour in November.
Sounds of a Playground Fading (2010–2011)
The departure of guitarist and founding member Strömblad was announced on the band's MySpace on February 12, 2010. The parting was on good terms with Jesper, stating that "I'm determined to fight and defeat my demons once and for all...", with the remaining band members backing his decision, though in a more recent declaration Anders FridénAnders Fridén
Anders Fridén is the vocalist/lyricist of the Swedish band In Flames-Early career:Fridén was originally the vocalist for Dark Tranquillity. He performed on their debut album, Skydancer, but left the band soon after. Two years later he joined In Flames...
stated that their relationship with Strömblad was not going well. On February 28, 2011, it was announced that Engelin had re-joined the band to take the vacant spot left by Strömblad's departure.
In early 2010 In Flames collaborated with Pendulum
Pendulum (band)
Pendulum is an Australian drum and bass and electronic rock band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen, and Paul Harding.Swire and McGrillen were members of the rock band known as Xygen. After hearing Konflict's "Messiah" at a club, they were inspired to enter into the drum and...
on their third studio album, Immersion
Immersion (album)
Immersion is the third studio album from Australian electronic rock/drum & bass band Pendulum. The album was announced in early 2009, with the name being confirmed in December 2009. The album was released 21 May 2010 in Australia and Ireland, and 24 May for the rest of the world, followed by a UK...
. The song, titled "Self versus Self", is one of three collaborations on the album.
On October 11, 2010, In Flames entered IF Studios in Göteborg to start recording their new album, tentatively titled Sounds of a Playground Fading
Sounds of a Playground Fading
Sounds of a Playground Fading is the tenth studio album by the Swedish heavy metal band In Flames, released on June 15, 2011 through Century Media/Razzia...
. On January 25, 2011, it was announced that the recording of the new album was finished and that the album was being mixed. The album was recorded with producer Roberto Laghi.
To support the album In Flames performed at the Sonisphere Festival
Sonisphere Festival
The Sonisphere Festival is a touring music festival which takes place across Europe between June and August. The festival is owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It is jointly-promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live...
in Knebworth, and alongside Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
, Godsmack
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
, and Disturbed at the Mayhem Festival 2011
Mayhem Festival 2011
Mayhem Festival 2011 was the fourth annual Mayhem Festival created by Kevin Lyman. The official lineup was announced on January 31, 2011. It was the first year that the festival utilized a rotating main stage slot, and the first year that the tour had more than one act returning from previous...
. They also played at Hellfest Festival 2011, headlining the second main stage, and Nova Rock Festival in Austria.
In March 2011, In Flames signed with Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
. On April 6, 2011, In Flames announced their newest single, "Deliver Us", was slated for a May release.
For part of the European tour, Jonas Ekdahl
Jonas Ekdahl
Jonas Ekdahl is a Swedish drummer. He is best known as the former drummer of the heavy metal band Evergrey. He was previously the drum tech of Evergrey's former drummer Patrick Carlsson. He was born in Gothenburg in May, 1983...
of DeathDestruction filled in for Daniel Svensson
Daniel Svensson
Daniel Svensson is the current drummer and youngest member of the Swedish band In Flames, and drummer / vocalist for the band Sacrilege GBG. He was also in Diabolique before he joined In Flames in 1998 to fill the position created when Björn Gelotte moved from drums to guitars...
on drums, after Svensson's decision to remain in Sweden for a time following the birth of his child.
Sounds of a Playground Fading was released in Sweden on June 15, 2011, on June 17, 2011 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway, on June 20, 2011 in the UK, Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark and Portugal, on June 21, 2011 in North America, Spain and Italy, on June 22, 2011 in Finland, Hungary and Japan, and on June 24, 2011 in Australia and New Zealand. A video was made for "Deliver Us". It was filmed in Gothenburg, and was again directed by Ullaeus, who also directed the second video from Sounds of a Playground Fading, "Where the Dead Ships Dwell".
Background
In Flames, along with Dark TranquillityDark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene, and are one of the most integral pioneers of the melodic death metal genre of music....
and At the Gates
At the Gates
At the Gates is an extreme metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden, and a major progenitor of the Gothenburg death-metal sound. Their early albums lean towards a death metal sound, but later albums sound more like melodic death metal.Initially active from 1990 to 1996, the band reformed in 2007 for a...
, pioneered what is now known as melodic death metal
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
. The founding members of all three bands all lived in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and they were all friends who shared the same musical interests. Eventually, that group of friends branched off into three bands with the same musical direction, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and At the Gates.
Jesper Strömblad
Jesper Strömblad
Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad is a Swedish musician who is currently the guitarist for the bands Dimension Zero & The Resistance...
formed In Flames to write music that combined the melodic guitar style of Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
with the brutality of death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
, something which Jesper stated he had never heard any band do. In writing songs, Jesper also decided to make use of keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, something which was (at the time) uncommon in death metal. Ever since In Flames' debut studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Lunar Strain
Lunar Strain
Lunar Strain is the debut album by Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames. In this release, vocals were sung by Mikael Stanne, the vocalist of Dark Tranquillity, who was a session musician for In Flames at the time. The album is known for its "folky elements" with the inclusion of violins and...
, the band has made use of keyboards, although other extreme metal bands such as Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
had been using keyboards years before them. Despite their sometimes heavy use of keyboards in their music, they still refuse to recruit a full-time keyboardist.
Musical style
In Flames' musical style is characterized by the constant use of harmonized lead guitarLead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
melodies and screaming-style singing along with death growl
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
. In early albums such as The Jester Race
The Jester Race
The Jester Race is the second album by melodic death metal band In Flames. It is the first album to feature Anders Fridén as the band's vocalist and Björn Gelotte as the drummer. A video for the song "Artifacts of the Black Rain" was also released...
, In Flames would often employ two harmonized lead guitars playing over a rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
. However, since the band only has two guitar players, they found it hard to reproduce those songs during live performances
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
and ever since Reroute to Remain
Reroute to Remain
-Personnel:In Flames*Anders Fridén – vocals & mixing*Jesper Strömblad – guitar*Björn Gelotte – guitar*Peter Iwers – bass guitar*Daniel Svensson – drumsOther Personnel*Maria Gauffin - co-vocals on "Metaphor"*Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards, programming...
they have focused on writing songs with the intention of playing them live. On the album Soundtrack to Your Escape
Soundtrack to Your Escape
-Bonus DVD:Note: The DVD came in a separate slimline jewelcase, that was bundled together with the limited edition digipak-version of the album.-Bonus DVD :...
, the band focused on less guitar melodies, giving place for more synths. However, this has not been continued on the later albums.
In Flames' vocal style is characterized by the use of growled vocals or screamed vocals complemented at times by clean vocals. In more recent albums such as Come Clarity
Come Clarity
- In Flames :* Anders Fridén – vocals* Björn Gelotte – guitar * Jesper Strömblad – guitar * Peter Iwers – bass* Daniel Svensson – drums- Guests :* Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards and programming...
, the band makes more prominent use of clean vocals, especially during choruses
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
. In Flames' lyrics have also varied during their career. In early albums such as The Jester Race and Whoracle
Whoracle
-Personnel:In Flames*Anders Fridén - vocals, additional percussion*Jesper Strömblad - lead guitar, keyboards, additional percussion*Glenn Ljungström - rhythm guitar*Johan Larsson - bass*Björn Gelotte - drums, percussion & additional lead guitar...
, In Flames' lyrics focused on astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
, mankind
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
, and other global themes. In later albums such as Soundtrack to Your Escape and Come Clarity, In Flames' lyrics focus more on personal issues, thoughts, and other introspective themes.
Since Reroute to Remain was released in 2002, In Flames fan base has been split because of the gradual change in style, towards a more alternative
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
sound. Still, In Flames have a solid and growing worldwide fanbase. The stylistic changes include screamed and clean vocals, as opposed to the death growl on the early records, more prominent rhythm section and less guitar melodies and solos, more obvious use of synthesizers and electronics and a clear influence from modern American metal in especially the uplifting chorus melodies. This later style of the band has been noted by AllMusic for influences from both metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
and alternative metal
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
.
Influence
In Flames, being one of the pioneers of a new music genre, have influenced many bands and most notably they were a direct influence on the new wave of metalcoreMetalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
. Many metalcore bands such as Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, Darkest Hour, Slowlife, As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
, and Still Remains
Still Remains
Still Remains is a metalcore band from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They formed out of previous local bands Shades of Amber and Unition. They released two studio albums, Of Love and Lunacy and The Serpent, both to positive reviews, and had minor UK chart success with the single "Dancing with the Enemy"....
name In Flames as one of their biggest influences. In Flames is also a direct influence on many of the melodic death metal
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
bands that have followed. Melodic death metal bands such as Insomnium
Insomnium
Insomnium is a Finnish melodic death metal band from Joensuu, Finland. Their new album "One for Sorrow" was released October 2011. On September 9th, 2011 Insomnium released the music video Through The Shadows from their 2011 album One For Sorrow....
, Omnium Gatherum
Omnium Gatherum
Omnium Gatherum is a six-piece melodic death metal band from Finland, founded in the autumn of 1996. Although the band mainly follows the path of melodic death metal genre, the music created by the band, especially the later albums, has a strong feel/presence of other sub-genres, such as black...
, and Blood Stain Child
Blood Stain Child
Blood Stain Child is a Japanese melodic death metal band from the city of Osaka. The band's musical style combines modern melodic death metal with electro-industrial and trance or as they call it 'hybrid metal trance'...
also include In Flames as one of their biggest influences.
Awards
In Flames has been awarded four GrammisGrammis
The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled....
awards (the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
equivalent of the Grammy Awards) to date. In 2005, In Flames won their first Grammis award in the category of Best Hard Rock/Metal Album for Soundtrack to Your Escape
Soundtrack to Your Escape
-Bonus DVD:Note: The DVD came in a separate slimline jewelcase, that was bundled together with the limited edition digipak-version of the album.-Bonus DVD :...
. In 2006, In Flames won the Swedish Export Award, their second Grammis award. In Flames was the first metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band to ever win that award and the Swedish economy minister at the time, Thomas Östros
Thomas Östros
Thomas Östros is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was Minister for Education from 1998 to 2004 and Minister for Industry and Trade from 2004 to 2006...
, was quoted as saying "Thanks to In Flames, Sweden now have a metal band in the absolute world elite." In 2007, In Flames once again won the category of Best Hard Rock/Metal Album for Come Clarity
Come Clarity
- In Flames :* Anders Fridén – vocals* Björn Gelotte – guitar * Jesper Strömblad – guitar * Peter Iwers – bass* Daniel Svensson – drums- Guests :* Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards and programming...
. They have also won the "Best international Band" award from the Metalhammer Golden Gods in 2008. In 2009, In Flames won a Grammis for "Best Hard Rock" for A Sense Of Purpose
A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Purpose is the ninth studio album by Swedish band In Flames. The album was released in first Japan on March 26, 2008 with 15 tracks and later in Europe on April 4, 2008 through Nuclear Blast and through Koch Records in North America on April 1. This is the band's last album to feature...
.
Jester Head
When In Flames were recording their second studio albumStudio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, The Jester Race
The Jester Race
The Jester Race is the second album by melodic death metal band In Flames. It is the first album to feature Anders Fridén as the band's vocalist and Björn Gelotte as the drummer. A video for the song "Artifacts of the Black Rain" was also released...
, Anders Fridén
Anders Fridén
Anders Fridén is the vocalist/lyricist of the Swedish band In Flames-Early career:Fridén was originally the vocalist for Dark Tranquillity. He performed on their debut album, Skydancer, but left the band soon after. Two years later he joined In Flames...
and Niklas Sundin
Niklas Sundin
Niklas Sundin , is a musician best known as the guitarist of bands Dark Tranquillity and Laethora. He also wrote some of the lyrics for the first three and recent two Dark Tranquillity albums and In Flames' album The Jester Race, and...
came up with an idea to create a symbol
Symbol
A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for...
/mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
for In Flames. The result was the Jester Head. This symbol made its first appearance in the cover artwork of The Jester Race and ever since, the Jester has been featured in various forms somewhere on every studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
that In Flames has released, either as a song title or on the album artwork. The Jester Head is also featured in many of In Flames' merchandise and has been featured in banners as part of In Flames' live set. In anticipation of their ninth studio album, A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Purpose is the ninth studio album by Swedish band In Flames. The album was released in first Japan on March 26, 2008 with 15 tracks and later in Europe on April 4, 2008 through Nuclear Blast and through Koch Records in North America on April 1. This is the band's last album to feature...
, the official In Flames fansite was launched, featuring the Jester Head as the site's symbol (and domain name).
Members
Current members- Anders FridénAnders FridénAnders Fridén is the vocalist/lyricist of the Swedish band In Flames-Early career:Fridén was originally the vocalist for Dark Tranquillity. He performed on their debut album, Skydancer, but left the band soon after. Two years later he joined In Flames...
– lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1995–present) - Björn GelotteBjörn GelotteBjörn Gelotte is a songwriter and guitarist for the Swedish band, In Flames. He joined the band as the drummer in 1995, and continued his position as drummer during The Jester Race and Whoracle . Gelotte switched to his current position on guitars after Niklas Engelin left the band, sharing...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1998–present), drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1995–1998) - Niclas EngelinNiclas EngelinNiclas Engelin is a Swedish heavy metal guitarist for In Flames, Passenger & Engel. Engelin was the lead guitarist for Gardenian, and has been in and out of In Flames on five different occasions....
– guitar (1997–1998, 2006, 2009, 2011–present) - Peter IwersPeter IwersPeter Iwers is the current bass player of the Swedish band In Flames. He has played in In Flames along with Daniel Svensson since their 1999 album Colony, replacing Johan Larsson....
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1997–present) - Daniel SvenssonDaniel SvenssonDaniel Svensson is the current drummer and youngest member of the Swedish band In Flames, and drummer / vocalist for the band Sacrilege GBG. He was also in Diabolique before he joined In Flames in 1998 to fill the position created when Björn Gelotte moved from drums to guitars...
– drums, percussion (1998–present)
Former members
- Glenn LjungströmGlenn LjungströmGlenn Ljungström was the original guitarist of the Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames along with the band's founder, Jesper Strömblad. He was a member of In Flames from 1993 until 1997, after which he quit In Flames to support his family with a more stable job. He was fired from multiple...
– guitar (1993–1997) - Johan Larsson – bass (1993–1997)
- Jesper StrömbladJesper StrömbladClas Håkan Jesper Strömblad is a Swedish musician who is currently the guitarist for the bands Dimension Zero & The Resistance...
– guitar, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(1993–2010), drums (1993–1995)
* Engelin has been an on and off member since 2006-2011, filling in for then guitarist, Jesper, who could not play because he had been struggling with his ongoing battle with alcoholism. As of 2011, Engelin is an official, full-time member of In Flames.
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums- Lunar StrainLunar StrainLunar Strain is the debut album by Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames. In this release, vocals were sung by Mikael Stanne, the vocalist of Dark Tranquillity, who was a session musician for In Flames at the time. The album is known for its "folky elements" with the inclusion of violins and...
(1994) - The Jester RaceThe Jester RaceThe Jester Race is the second album by melodic death metal band In Flames. It is the first album to feature Anders Fridén as the band's vocalist and Björn Gelotte as the drummer. A video for the song "Artifacts of the Black Rain" was also released...
(1996) - WhoracleWhoracle-Personnel:In Flames*Anders Fridén - vocals, additional percussion*Jesper Strömblad - lead guitar, keyboards, additional percussion*Glenn Ljungström - rhythm guitar*Johan Larsson - bass*Björn Gelotte - drums, percussion & additional lead guitar...
(1997) - Colony (1999)
- ClaymanClaymanClayman is the fifth album by Swedish melodic death metal band, In Flames. The album was released by Nuclear Blast in 2000. Most of the lyrics deal with depression and internal struggles...
(2000) - Reroute to RemainReroute to Remain-Personnel:In Flames*Anders Fridén – vocals & mixing*Jesper Strömblad – guitar*Björn Gelotte – guitar*Peter Iwers – bass guitar*Daniel Svensson – drumsOther Personnel*Maria Gauffin - co-vocals on "Metaphor"*Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards, programming...
(2002) - Soundtrack to Your EscapeSoundtrack to Your Escape-Bonus DVD:Note: The DVD came in a separate slimline jewelcase, that was bundled together with the limited edition digipak-version of the album.-Bonus DVD :...
(2004) - Come ClarityCome Clarity- In Flames :* Anders Fridén – vocals* Björn Gelotte – guitar * Jesper Strömblad – guitar * Peter Iwers – bass* Daniel Svensson – drums- Guests :* Örjan Örnkloo – keyboards and programming...
(2006) - A Sense of PurposeA Sense of PurposeA Sense of Purpose is the ninth studio album by Swedish band In Flames. The album was released in first Japan on March 26, 2008 with 15 tracks and later in Europe on April 4, 2008 through Nuclear Blast and through Koch Records in North America on April 1. This is the band's last album to feature...
(2008) - Sounds of a Playground FadingSounds of a Playground FadingSounds of a Playground Fading is the tenth studio album by the Swedish heavy metal band In Flames, released on June 15, 2011 through Century Media/Razzia...
(2011)