IN FLAMES' Anders Friden Talks Band Split With Founding Guitarist Jesper Stromblad - "It's Just A Long Relationship That's Been Burning Out"
May 25, 2011, 13 years ago
In a new interview with Noisecreep, IN FLAMES lead singer Anders Friden discusses the effect of founding guitarist Jesper Stromblad's departure from the band. The following are a couple of excerpts from the interview:
Q: How difficult was recording this album (Sounds Of A Playground Fading), given that Jesper was not in the band?
A: "We've been without him for almost two years prior to the actual album recording. It wasn't so much on the musical side; it was more on the friendship side. We've known each other for so long and we've seen him struggle with his addiction, and whatever problems come along with the addiction, for quite some time. But the recording was pretty much as always, or even better. Like, the whole vibe was very good within the band."
Q: In the studio, did recording go smoother since you didn't have to worry about an alcoholic friend?
A: "Yeah, in a way. I mean, we all miss him as the person, Jesper. It looks more different and looks like a struggle from the outside, when people look into the band, but we've been living with this for such a long time and we've been struggling with this issue for more years than you can imagine, and we just tried to keep it hidden from the public. I don't want to take away anything from Jesper because it's been really significant for our sound, but he has not been the one holding everyone together. And the band is way bigger than us -- me, Bjorn, Peter, or Daniel. I think In Flames is way bigger than the individual and if we can't trust each other that we will appear on up-coming tours and so on, then that makes it harder for everyone else."
Q: How is he? Is he sober?
A: "Er, I don't think so, no, unfortunately. It's up and down. I think he can medicate himself, but that's not really how it works. I met him a few weeks ago and we talked a little bit."
Q: Is the door open if he wants to come back?
A: "Never say never, but we are very happy with the situation we are in. Now we can work as a band. But who knows? Obviously a lot of changes need to come from him. As I said, we're good friends. We're not enemies or anything. It's just a long relationship that's been burning out."
Read the full interview at Noisecreep.
In Flames recently debuted the video for their new single, 'Deliver Us', which is pulled from the band's upcoming album, Sounds Of A Playground Fading. Renowned director Patric Ullaeus for Revolver Film Company (DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY, CHILDREN OF BODOM) produced the clip below:
Check out "making of" footage below:
Today (Wednesday, May 25th) at 3 PM (CET), you can chat live with In Flames' Peter Iwers and Daniel Svensson, at this location.
Sounds Of A Playground Fading, will be out on the following dates via Century Media Records:
Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Norway: Friday, June 17th
UK/Benelux/France/Greece/Denmark/Portugal/Rest of Europe: Monday, June 20th
Spain/Italy: Tuesday, June 21st
North America: Tuesday, June 21st
Finland/Hungary: Wednesday, June 22nd
Australia/New Zealand: Friday, June 24th
The artwork below was created by Dave Correia:
Sounds Of A Playground Fading tracklisting:
'Sounds Of A Playground Fading'
'Deliver Us'
'All For Me'
'The Puzzle'
'Fear Is The Weakness'
'Where The Dead Ships Dwell'
'The Attic'
'Darker Times'
'Ropes'
'Enter Tragedy'
'Jester’s Door'
'A New Dawn'
'Liberation'
In Flames and Century Media Records have worked out the following as European pressings of Sounds Of A Playground Fading:
- CD Jewelcase- Special Edition CD+DVD (8 panel Digipak with pop-up feature + recording “Sounds Of A Playground Fading” DVD)
- 2 LP Gatefold, 180gr Vinyl
- Digital Download
