In Flames Interview

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		After what seemed like an eternity, Sweden's In Flames had finally managed to cross the Atlantic and grace the American audiences to some of the most awe-inspiring Heavy Metal they are well known for back home. With roots that date as far back as '93, all five members have certainly paid their dues and indeed it wasn't an easy ride. Beginning with the promising but yet awkward debut entitled, Subterranean the band soon continued to build upon its already trademark "Gothenburg" sound by adding and combining different textures with each full length effort that preceded afterwards. Though critics and journalists alike were quick to pass the band off as just mere Gothenburg clone cashing in on the success of bands like At the Gates and Entombed, it was 96's Jester Race that finally proved them wrong! Heavy, aggressive, but yet soulfully melodic the CD skyrocketed the band to the top and earned them a rightful place next to other such noteworthy stalwarts as Dark Tranquility and Arch Enemy. With such talented songwriters as Jesper Stromblad (lead and rhythm guitars), and Glenn Lungstrom (rhythm guitars), together they generate an enormously vibrant chemistry which would perhaps explain for the powerful dynamics in In Flames' sound. Something akin to a much more technical Rainbow, the band successfully bridges the gap between old and new all the while continuing to break even more barriers. If anything serves as proof of this assertion, it would certainly be found in the prolific band's newest offering entitled, Colony. Undeniably heavy, Colony is one step ahead but yet still retains all of the necessary elements that would make the legendary Iron Maiden and Judas Priest very proud papas indeed. Thus it's no wonder that finally the jaded promoters here in America finally realized the band's merit and decided to open up the gates in welcoming them upon these very shores. With that said, it was quite a privilege for me to catch up with the band at a recent performance at NYC's own L'Amour, where I talked exclusively with guitarist Glenn Lungstrom. Quite the amicable gentleman, he was kind enough to put up with about 30 minutes worth of my questions and as it stands, here was the final outcome. Enjoy!

		Interviewed by Envenomed.

In Flames

Q: So how does it feel to be finally be in America? Were there any fears or doubts you might have had about the fans here?

A: No, they've been treating us really good. I mean, we didn't know what to expect whatsoever. I mean, we had a small taste of it at the Metalfest in Milwaukee and it was really good for us then and it's been really good on the tour so far.

Q: Well, how does it compare to the atmosphere in Europe? I mean, I understand that where you come from in Sweden, there's a big scene happenin'.

A: Well, inside a club it's almost the same I think in Europe, for us it is anyway. They react almost like the Japanese people do, they're really into it which I'm a bit overwhelmed and happy about. It depends pretty much on where you're playing. Some places they are really calm or like yesterday we played up in Wooster (or at least that's what it sounded like to me during this interview anyway..well, let's just say somewhere in upstate NY, ok?), it was really wild. The crowd was literally onstage but again, it depends very much on where you play.

Q: Well, I've been seeing more and more people coming out to shows these days and supporting the music more because there seems to be a bit of a revival taking place even while we're heading into the year 2000. What makes it all the more amazing I think is that now a lot of today's bands like Hammerfall and Death are all utulizing more of the same melodies and harmonies that bands such as Iron Maiden, Helloween, and Manowar patented in the early 80's. So it seems like you guys picked the right time to release the new album. How do you feel about that?

A: I don't really know the American scene that much but I'm more familiar with it in Europe and over there this sort of thing is not very new. Of course, it's a revival but it's not that big because it's always been very strong there. But everybody keeps telling me that it's coming back so I guess it is, I don't know. I hope so.

In Flames as the cast of Real World, Sweden.

Q: Right but reading up on the band as I always do before an interview, I discovered that it wasn't all that easy for In Flames to make the kind of impression it has lately. In fact, I understand that originally In Flames was more or less just a standard Death Metal band utulizing the same elements that your fellow countrymen Dismember, Entombed, and Hypocrisy were already being credited for. Secondly, with the overabundance of bands that have emerged out of Sweden even up until this day has it really been that frustrating to break away from all of the musical monotony at one point?

A: No it wasn't because we were actually one of the first ones. I mean, it wasn't us that started it but we were already there in the beginning. So we didn't have any problems, it was more or less good for us being there from the start and after that all these new bands showed up which I think is good because it shows for a healthy scene.

Q: Right but then at one point a band like At the Gates started to make its presence felt and soon everyone outside of that environment was comparing all the newer bands to them. In fact, they're the ones that everyone seems to give all the credit for inspiring the whole Gothenburg sound and now that In Flames has incorporated more melodic harmonies, a lot of the critics are now comparing it to At the Gates...

A: Yeah, yeah I know because it's the same area and because we all know each other and stuff so of course, we're compared a lot but as I see it, it's very different. We did it then and we're still doing it now. I mean, they don't play anymore, now they're The Haunted and we're very different from that. Yeah, we recorded in the same studio and used the same producer and of course it sounds a bit like each other but yet we were among the very first.

Q: However, was it the comparisons that kind of got you all thinking that maybe the band should rethink its approach at any point?

A: It just came naturally for us. I mean, in the beginning we were only lucky to get a record deal and it was so circumstantial that we got it. We just sent a demo with three songs and bragged that we had thirteen songs which we didn't and so this guy on Wrong Again (the band's first official contract) said, "Yeah, sure." So we've had to do our best in just trying to spread the music and after that it's gone by itself. It all comes naturally, we don't think about it, that we have to do "this" to be different or anything. We just play what we like to hear and what we like to play. You listen to different things as you get a bit older and you get influenced by different things and of course that is why it has taken this course.

Q: And now, you've even managed to score a deal with Nuclear Blast after Wrong Again folded for good. How did that deal come about and was it a little difficult in making the move over to a more commercial label?

A: The only difficulties we had were whether they should buy us from the other label or just license it and that was nothing that we really cared about it. We wanted to get better distribution and we just sent them a copy of Subterranean which was the last one we did on Wrong Again and they enjoyed it very much. So they licensed it and since then we did The Jester Race and Whoracle and now we signed on again to do Colony.

Q: Now you mentioned one of your previous works, The Jester Race, which I was going to bring up into our conversation at one point or another because that was actually the album that pretty much set the stage for you guys so to speak. From the way I see it, that's your Reign in Blood. I mean, that was the album that really broke down a few doors and made In Flames a household name. Granted, Whoracle wasn't that bad of an album but it was a departure for you guys, perhaps a tad toned done. With that in mind were there any pressures placed on the shoulders of the band while writing and recording the material for Colony? Anything that you wanted to try and do that would surpass The Jester Race?

In Flames

Is it me, or could this be a scene from a jeans commercial?

A: Well, I can't write music if I'm under pressure and I think it goes the same for the whole band that we can't do anything good if we're all under pressure. So we just put everything aside and didn't really care about reviews whether good or bad. We just wanted to focus on making another record the way we wanted. So if the critics wouldn't like it, so be it. For us it's most important to play what we like. Of course, in the beginning when we saw all these reviews we were like, "Oh man, how are we going to top this?" However, we soon decided to put it all aside and just do our thing.

Q: What was the vibe that you were going for on this recording? Was there a certain type of atmosphere you were trying to obtain with Colony?

A: Yeah, we tried to make it a bit more darker, more heavier of course. We also wanted to make it not industrial but we wanted to add some drum loops and sound effects in the backround just to add another dimension, to make the sound even bigger. I think we succeeded and so I think that's what we were trying to aim for.

Q: Well, I will agree with you that the new album is definitely darker lyrically but musically you have all of these upbeat melodies and beautiful guitar harmonies which sets a big contrast. It's almost like a cool dichotomy of sorts. So, what is it that inspires you to write the kind of pessimistic lyrics that you do?

A: It's basically thoughts and feelings about stuff. It's Anders, the vocalist who writes all the lyrics. He gets a lot of impression from news, from TV, from papers, whatever and then kind of plays a little into the thought of what could happen if he or any of us were in any such given situations, sort of like a story but he writes them in a way where he doesn't tell you anything. He just paints a picture for you so you could read them by yourself. So you get a certain feeling from reading them yourself. I like those lyrics very much and I feel that's the way lyrics should be written. You can then get a certain feeling and just interpret them yourself.

Q: How is it working with Anders as a vocalist? From following the band's career early on up until now, I've noticed that with each album, he seems to be getting more and more comfortable with his responsibility as being the frontman. In fact, I even noticed that he's been experimenting more by using different tones as well as some clean, soulful styled singing, something that a lot of Metal purists tend to be turned off by.

A: Yeah, I know but I think the way we do it is... (ponders for a moment) Well, first off we're not on our way to be a Power Metal band or whatever because then we wouldn't be In Flames if we did that. But we think that this also adds another dimension to the music. You can use the clean vocals as an instrument and he does them so good so why not use them? And if we feel like doing it then of course, we should do it. It sounds good to us and I think it's important to not only do what you're supposed to do. It's important to improvise a bit, to experiment a bit; at least for yourself it's very important. People could say what they want but if we didn't do that it would be boring to play. If we did only what people wanted us to do then THAT would be like selling out.

Q: Oh I agree on all accounts and considering what you've just said to me, is there any specific direction you'd like to take In Flames in that would perhaps make it more of a force to be reckoned with so to speak?

A: It's hard to picture because we don't aim for anything, we just let it flow, ya know; just let it come to us whatever it is we want to express on the records. I mean, we put the songs together in quite an unusual way I guess because we show each other riffs and stuff and then just put it together in the rehearsing room as a group. We have no plan in the end. I mean, you could still place it but it's not really Death Metal anymore, it's just Heavy Metal with really aggressive vocals and that's just about as far as I have gotten through my thinking.

Q: Well, whatever you decide to label it as it's still nice to hear a good record with such a clean, solid production such as your's. It just makes everything brighter and I think this time around, you've all managed to capture every instrument right down to the very last note. Just those subtle nuances alone make it all the more worthwhile.

In Flames

Look! They’re “in flames.” How clever!

A: Yeah, and especially in this kind of music where we use a lot of harmonies, a lot of sound effects, it's important to have a huge drum sound and really huge guitars. That's the way I want to hear a record. Of course, we're going to try do whatever we like to hear but it doesn't always have to sound "dirty" just because we're playing Heavy Metal. I think it's more nice to listen to well produced albums. It plays a big part in a band's sound.

Q: Right. I'm curious though because I also understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, that at one point In Flames consisted of former members from Dark Tranquillity and Hammerfall. Now those two bands right there are already widely known for having such a clear and decipherable sound, so do you suppose that those two influences have played a major part for you guys soundwise as well?

A: Umm.. I think what you're referring to is the first album with Mikael Stanne (now fronting Dark Tranquillity). Yeah, well he was just borrowed as a session vocalist because the band was not complete at that point. It was more or less just a project at this point and since he was already a vocalist kind of, we used him as he also is a really good friend. I mean, we know Hammerfall. We're from the same town and we grew up together when we were home. So we know them since way back... Is it Jesper you're referring to with Hammerfall? Well he's been writing music for them since he started out with us as well, sort of side by side. So I think it's the other way around, that maybe he influenced Hammerfall in this case. But of course, since we're all friends we have a lot of influence on each other. We play together in Sweden sometimes and we rehearsed in the same rehearsal room for two years. I don't know, that's a hard question because they're friends, they're not a different band.

Q: Well, it's good to hear that where you come from is a friendly environment because that's always not the case when compared to other surrounding countries or even towns. Nowadays I tend to hear a lot of stories where bands are literally almost at each other's throats because they all want to become the next big thing. In Sweden on the other hand, it just seems as if you as well as the other guys know everyone as far back as High School.

A: We don't have High School but something like that, yes. It's true but some of them are people I've kind of recently met. Otherwise, most of them go back a good couple of years. There's no rivalry and if there is, it's always very friendly.

Q: But do you suppose that the overall environment has had something to do with everyone being so supportive of one another over there. I mean, I understand that Sweden is one of the most influental countries when it comes to culture and history. Certainly that would have to rub off on someone in a positive way and inspire them to create the kind of music that say, you often do, no?

A: Well of course I think environment is always important for inspiration and stuff but I think also that we have traditional music that is very melodic. It's not about beats but more about harmonies and stuff. I think in most people there are a lot of melodies from their youth. I also think that Sweden is very beautiful and so naturally anyone would get inspired to write and create just by living there.

Q: I kind of understand what you're saying, yes. It's like when I listen to some of the more grandiose songs on your albums, I can hear all the traditional folk song influences coming to the surface so to speak.

A: Well, it's not that obvious anymore but it used to be! We're not trying to hide it but lately more than ever, we like to just simply use it as an element to convey feeling but we don't want it to totally dominate the sound of our music.

Q: Right, in other words sort of like say, Amorphis does. I mean, not to compare the two bands but one of the biggest similarities I find is not so much in the songwriting, but the subtle textures that make it so atmospherically driven. Again, you could kind of paint a mental landscape in your head just by listening to an intro, a verse, or even a chorus for that matter.

A: Yeah, and I think that we use the same philosophy as well because they also have a very strong folk music backround as we do in Sweden. I mean, Finland is also very beautiful so they get inspired by that. Basically, they use the same recipe, I think which I could understand. All the bands from Finland are amazing.

Q: Oh, I agree with you to a certain extent. However, getting back on track, considering all the intricate riff patterns that you compose on your guitar, along with Jesper of course, does it require any type of classical training?

In Flames

A: Neither me or Jesper is classically schooled or whatever it's called. We're all self taught. We never took any lessons, never did anything of that. So what we basically do is play what sounds right, what feels right, what feels good after you listen to it. It's not like we have to know what notes we can put there or whatever. We just do what we want to hear.

Q: Well then since you're self taught, were there any big influences while growing up that might have shaped or played a part in your technique as it stands today?

A: Oh of course. I mean, I'm one of the biggest Rainbow fans in the world. Even Deep Purple and Black Sabbath have had a tremendous influence on me as well.

Q: Yeah, I could see Rainbow and Deep Purple playing a big part in your sound. Those two bands right there redefined the term dynamics and were both well respected for some of the awe inspiring power chord structures they utulized.

A: Oh yeah, of course. To me, Ritchie Blackmore is one of my favorite songwriters. He wrote pretty much everything for Rainbow and that's the way I'd like to sound, that is if I were to choose to sound. Nowadays I've been getting inspiration from a lot of bass and drum tracks so I listen to just about everything.