In Flames

Biography

In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. They are considered pioneers of the Gothenburg metal scene, which also includes bands such as At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity. Their lineup has changed several times. Vocalist Anders Fridén and lead guitarist Björn Gelotte are the only consistent members since 1995. Since the departure of Jesper Strömblad in 2010, no original members remain with the band. The band has sold over two million records worldwide.
During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of recording musicians, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album, Reroute to Remain (2002), moved toward a newer style further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. Fans of the group's heavier sound criticized this shift; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered album sales.
Since the band's inception, In Flames have released fourteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs. Their latest release was their fourteenth studio album, Foregone×Foregone10 February 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The Beginning of All Things That Will End2:132State of Slow Decay3:583Meet Your Maker3:574Bleeding Out4:015Foregone, Pt. 13:246Foregone, Pt. 24:307Pure Light of Mind4:268The Great Deceiver3:459In the Dark4:1710A Dialogue in B‐flat Minor4:2911Cynosure4:0612End the Transmission3:4213Become One3:28, in 2023. In Flames has been nominated for ten Swedish Grammis Awards winning seven of them, including "Hard Rock/Metal Album of the Year" category in 2005 for Soundtrack to Your Escape×Soundtrack to Your Escape17 March 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1F(r)iend3:272The Quiet Place3:453Dead Alone3:434Touch of Red4:135Like You Better Dead3:236My Sweet Shadow4:397Evil in a Closet4:028In Search for I3:239Borders and Shading4:2210Superhero of the Computer Rage4:0111Dial 595-escape3:4812Bottled4:17, 2007 for Come Clarity×Come Clarity1 February 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Take This Life3:352Leeches2:553Reflect the Storm4:164Dead End3:225Scream3:126Come Clarity4:157Vacuum3:398Pacing Death's Trail3:009Crawl Through Knives4:0210Versus Terminus3:1811Our Infinite Struggle3:4612Vanishing Light3:1413Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone5:18, 2009 for A Sense of Purpose×A Sense of Purpose26 March 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The Mirror's Truth2:592Disconnected3:373Sleepless Again4:104Alias4:495I'm the Highway3:416Delight and Angers3:397Move Through Me3:068The Chosen Pessimist8:149Sober and Irrelevant3:2210Condemned3:3411Drenched in Fear3:3012March to the Shore3:26, and most recently in 2024 for Foregone.

Formation and Lunar Strain (1990–1995)

Drummer Jesper Strömblad founded In Flames in 1990 as a side project from his then-current death metal band, Ceremonial Oath, in which he was the bassist. He intended to write more melodic songs, which Ceremonial Oath did not allow him to. In 1993, Strömblad quit Ceremonial Oath due to musical differences and focused on In Flames. That same year, Strömblad recruited guitarist Glenn Ljungström and bassist Johan Larsson to form the first official In Flames line-up.
The trio recorded a demo in August 1993 and sent it to Wrong Again Records. To increase their chances of being signed, the group said they had recorded thirteen songs when they only had three. The owner of the label enjoyed the music and signed them.
After signing, the band began working on their debut album, Lunar Strain×Lunar Strain1 April 1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Behind Space4:542Lunar Strain4:053Starforsaken3:094Dreamscape3:455Everlost, Part I4:166Everlost, Part II2:587Hårgalåten2:268In Flames5:339Upon an Oaken Throne2:4910Clad in Shadows2:50, recorded in Studio Fredman and released in August 1994. Since the band did not have a singer, Strömblad asked Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity to provide session vocals. Many session musicians participated in the recording, including guitarists Anders Iwers, Karl Näslund, and Oscar Dronjak (the latter of which provided backing vocals), vocalist Jennica Johansson, and violinist Ylva Wåhlstedt.

During 1994, In Flames recorded and self-produced the EP Subterranean×Subterranean2 November 1994 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Stand Ablaze4:372Everdying4:253Subterranean5:494Timeless1:495Biosphere5:08 in Studio Fredman. In Flames still did not have a singer, so Henke Forss provided session vocals. In 1994, the band covered "Eye of the Beholder" for the Metallica tribute album Metal Militia: A Tribute to Metallica. In 1995, Subterranean was released. Subterranean garnered attention and led to a record deal with Nuclear Blast.

The Jester Race (1996)

In 1995, In Flames tired of session musicians and asked drummer Björn Gelotte to join the band full time. Strömblad became the rhythm guitarist. Six months later, they asked singer Anders Fridén to join the band permanently. That same year, the new line up recorded the band's second studio album, The Jester Race×The Jester Race20 February 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Moonshield5:042The Jester's Dance2:093Artifacts of the Black Rain3:174Graveland2:495Lord Hypnos4:036Dead Eternity5:047The Jester Race4:538December Flower4:129Wayfaerer4:4210Dead God in Me4:15 (released in 1996). This album was recorded in Studio Fredman, co-produced by the studio's owner, Fredrik Nordström. Gelotte provided some lead and acoustic guitars. Afterwards, In Flames toured with Samael, Grip Inc., and Kreator.

Whoracle (1997–1998)

In 1997, In Flames recorded and released their third studio album, Whoracle×Whoracle15 October 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Jotun3:542Food for the Gods4:233Gyroscope3:284Dialogue With the Stars3:035The Hive4:066Jester Script Transfigured5:497Morphing Into Primal3:078Worlds Within the Margin5:089Episode 6663:4810Everything Counts3:1811Whoracle2:5612Goliaths Disarm Their Davids4:5813Acoustic Medley2:3614Behind Space (live)3:37. This album was recorded in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Nordström. Gelotte provided lead and acoustic guitars. Ljungström and Larsson announced that they were leaving In Flames after recording the album. Niklas Engelin and Peter Iwers were recruited to fill in the vacant spots on guitar and bass, respectively, during a tour with Dimmu Borgir. After the tour, Engelin and Iwers joined the band as permanent members. The new line-up toured Europe and played their first two shows in Japan. By the end of that tour in 1998, Engelin quit In Flames. The band switched Gelotte from drums to lead guitar and recruited drummer Daniel Svensson.

Colony (1999)

In 1999, the new line-up recorded and released the band's fourth studio album, Colony×Colony21 May 1999 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Embody the Invisible3:372Ordinary Story4:173Scorn3:384Colony4:395Zombie Inc.5:056Pallar Anders Visa1:417Coerced Coexistence4:148Resin3:229Behind Space '993:5910Insipid 20003:4511The New Word3:2012Clad in Shadows '992:2313Man Made God4:1114Murders in the Rue Morgue3:06. This album was recorded in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Nordström. The second solo on "Coerced Coexistence" was recorded by Kee Marcello. Afterwards, In Flames toured Europe, Japan, and played their first show in the United States during the Milwaukee Metal Fest.

Clayman (2000–2001)

In 2000, In Flames recorded and released their fifth studio album, Clayman×Clayman3 July 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Bullet Ride4:422Pinball Map4:083Only for the Weak4:554...as the Future Repeats Today3:285Square Nothing3:586Clayman3:297Satellites and Astronauts5:018Brush the Dust Away3:179Swim3:1410Suburban Me3:3611Another Day in Quicksand3:56. It was recorded in the same studio and co-produced by Nordström. In Flames toured with 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.

Reroute to Remain (2002–2003)

In 2002, In Flames recorded and released their sixth studio album, Reroute to Remain. The album was produced by Daniel Bergstrand and recorded in a rented house in Denmark, except for the drums, which were recorded at Dug-Out Studio. Reroute to Remain was stylistic shift, adding clean vocals, catchier choruses and less growling. It was also their first album to have official singles released from it. That year, the band toured with Slayer, Soulfly, and Mudvayne.

Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004–2005)

In 2003, In Flames recorded their seventh studio album, Soundtrack to Your Escape×Soundtrack to Your Escape17 March 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1F(r)iend3:272The Quiet Place3:453Dead Alone3:434Touch of Red4:135Like You Better Dead3:236My Sweet Shadow4:397Evil in a Closet4:028In Search for I3:239Borders and Shading4:2210Superhero of the Computer Rage4:0111Dial 595-escape3:4812Bottled4:17, and released it in 2004. Most of the album was recorded in the house that the band rented in Denmark, with the drums recorded in Dug-Out Studio. This album was produced by Bergstrand. Soundtrack to Your Escape increased the band's popularity, selling 100,000 copies in the United States and yielding a No. 2 single on the Swedish charts with The Quiet Place. Four music videos were filmed: "The Quiet Place×The Quiet Place1 March 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1The Quiet Place3:232My Sweet Shadow (remix)4:373Värmlandsvisan (live)1:47", "My Sweet Shadow", "F(r)iend" and "A Touch of Red", all of which were directed by Patric Ullaeus. The ensuing world tour included the band's first trip to Australia, where they played to mostly sold-out crowds. Afterward, In Flames toured with Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe, and Motörhead. In Flames was featured on the main stage at Ozzfest 2005.

Come Clarity (2006–2007)

In 2005, In Flames recorded and self-produced their eighth studio album, Come Clarity×Come Clarity1 February 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Take This Life3:352Leeches2:553Reflect the Storm4:164Dead End3:225Scream3:126Come Clarity4:157Vacuum3:398Pacing Death's Trail3:009Crawl Through Knives4:0210Versus Terminus3:1811Our Infinite Struggle3:4612Vanishing Light3:1413Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone5:18, 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 signed with an additional record label, Ferret Music, 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 No. 1 album on the Swedish charts. A bonus DVD of In Flames playing all the songs in a rehearsal studio was released. Ullaeus directed their music video for "Take This Life×Take This Life2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Take This Life3:37". That same year, In Flames toured with Sepultura, co-headlined a U.S. tour with Lacuna Coil, joined 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 played at Bloodstock Open Air festival in August 2007. They played Wacken Open Air that month.

A Sense of Purpose (2008–2009)

In October 2007, In Flames finished recording their ninth studio album in IF Studios, their own studio in Gothenburg, Sweden (formerly Studio Fredman). During the recording sessions, the band released studio diaries documenting the recording process. On 23 January 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 4 April 2008, In Flames released their ninth studio album, A Sense of Purpose×A Sense of Purpose26 March 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The Mirror's Truth2:592Disconnected3:373Sleepless Again4:104Alias4:495I'm the Highway3:416Delight and Angers3:397Move Through Me3:068The Chosen Pessimist8:149Sober and Irrelevant3:2210Condemned3:3411Drenched in Fear3:3012March to the Shore3:26. The first single from the new album was "The Mirror's Truth" and was released in Europe on 7 March 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×Alias2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Alias (radio edit)4:07", directed by Ullaeus. From January 2008 to December 2009, In Flames toured on the A Sense of Purpose Tour.
On 3 February 2009, the band announced that Strömblad would not participate in the Australia/South America/Japan tour in order to get treatment for his alcohol abuse problems. Engelin was announced as his replacement for the tour. On 18 February, the band announced their United Kingdom and Ireland tour would not go ahead as planned due to Strömblad's alcohol rehabilitation and the birth of Iwers's child. On 4 March, the band announced that the third single from A Sense of Purpose was "Delight and Angers×Delight and Angers7 April 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Delight and Angers3:382Delight and Angers (instrumental)1:49". The video premiered on the band's Myspace on 25 March. It was 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 joined 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 2009.

Sounds of a Playground Fading (2010–2012)

The amicable departure of rhythm guitarist and founding member Jesper Strömblad was announced on the band's MySpace on 12 February 2010. Strömblad stated, "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 Fridén stated that their relationship with Strömblad was not going well. On 28 February 2011, it was announced that Engelin had rejoined the band to replace Strömblad.
In early 2010, In Flames collaborated with Pendulum on their third studio album, Immersion. The song "Self Versus Self" is one of three collaborations on the album.
On 11 October 2010, In Flames entered IF Studios in Gothenburg to start recording their new album, tentatively titled Sounds of a Playground Fading×Sounds of a Playground Fading15 June 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Sounds of a Playground Fading4:442Deliver Us3:303All for Me4:314The Puzzle4:345Fear Is the Weakness4:076Where the Dead Ships Dwell4:277The Attic3:188Darker Times3:259Ropes3:4210Enter Tragedy3:5911Jester’s Door2:3812A New Dawn5:5213Liberation5:10. On 25 January 2011, the band announced that they had finished recording the album and it was being mixed. Roberto Laghi produced the album.
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 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 6 April 2011, In Flames announced the single "Deliver Us×Deliver Us6 May 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Deliver Us3:30" was slated for a May release. For part of the European tour, Jonas Ekdahl of DeathDestruction filled in for Svensson on drums, after Svensson remained in Sweden following the birth of his child.
Sounds of a Playground Fading was released in Sweden on 15 June 2011, on 17 June 2011 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway, on 20 June 2011 in the UK, Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark and Portugal, on 21 June 2011 in North America, Spain and Italy, on 22 June 2011 in Finland, Hungary and Japan, and on 24 June 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×Where the Dead Ships Dwell14 November 2011 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Where the Dead Ships Dwell4:252Where the Dead Ships Dwell (Casper remix)4:043Where the Dead Ships Dwell (The Qemists remix)5:114Where the Dead Ships Dwell (Kristof Bathory - Dawn of Ashes remix)4:45".
In an interview at Canada's Heavy MTL festival on 12 August 2012, frontman Anders Fridén revealed that In Flames would "start thinking about" recording their next studio album in 2013.

Siren Charms (2013–2015)

In Flames began recording their eleventh studio album in August 2013. On 10 April 2014, the In Flames website appeared to be hacked. The alleged hacker threatened to leak information the next day. The band posted on its Facebook, saying, "We have encountered some issues regarding our online platforms. We want to assure you that no Jesterhead member information has been compromised, and our team is working on a solution right now. We apologize for the inconvenience." The site was not really hacked. The following day, the band's website was updated with a link to the supposed leak. A short video announced that the new album would be titled Siren Charms×Siren Charms5 September 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 11 tracks1In Plain View4:052Everything’s Gone3:243Paralyzed4:154Through Oblivion3:385With Eyes Wide Open3:586Siren Charms3:057When the World Explodes4:398Rusted Nail4:549Dead Eyes5:2310Monsters in the Ballroom3:5311Filtered Truth3:31. The album was released on 9 September 2014, via the band's new label, Epic Records. Siren Charms includes vocals recorded by fans. Following release of the album, they started a World tour, set to last throughout 2015. On 12 October 2014, the band officially announced on their Facebook page that they would release a live Blu-ray/DVD and CD set based on their show in Gothenburg, which took place in November 2014 and was officially released on 23 September 2016 titled 'Sounds from the Heart of Gothenburg×Sounds From the Heart of Gothenburg23 September 2016 · Album · LiveSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11In Plain View5:472Everything’s Gone3:313Fear Is the Weakness3:494Trigger4:285Resin3:366Where the Dead Ships Dwell4:267With Eyes Wide Open4:048Paralyzed4:219Through Oblivion3:4210Ropes3:55Disc 21Delight and Angers4:052Cloud Connected5:093Only for the Weak5:064The Chosen Pessimist7:565The Quiet Place3:346When the World Explodes4:557Rusted Nail4:458The Mirror's Truth3:149Deliver Us4:3410Take This Life4:14'. Longtime drummer Daniel Svensson announced his departure from the band to focus on his family life on 7 November 2015.

Battles (2016–2017)

In early 2016, In Flames began recording a new album in Los Angeles, and finished it in April.
On 25 August 2016, In Flames posted a YouTube link to the song "The End×The End26 August 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The End3:58" along with a new profile picture with the In Flames logo accompanied by the word "Battles×Battles11 November 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Drained4:072The End3:583Like Sand3:444The Truth3:055In My Room3:256Before I Fall3:287Through My Eyes3:508Battles2:599Here Until Forever4:1910Underneath My Skin3:3111Wallflower7:0612Save Me4:1313Greatest Greed4:1014Us Against the World3:41". It was later revealed that Battles would be the title of their twelfth studio album, released worldwide on 11 November 2016 through Nuclear Blast.
On 17 September 2016, the band announced on their Facebook page that Joe Rickard, formerly of American rock band RED, who performed session drums on Battles, was the new permanent drummer, replacing Daniel Svensson.
On 29 November 2016, Peter Iwers announced the tour supporting Battles would be his last with In Flames. That left Anders and Björn as the only members in the band who have constantly remained in the lineup since the 1990s. Bassist Håkan Skoger, who previously worked with Friden on his side project 'Passenger', played live with the band on their first UK tour date in Scotland. The band recruited bassist Bryce Paul to play bass on their American tour.
In Flames toured North America in May 2017 with support from Kataklysm. In December 2017, In Flames released 'Down, Wicked, and No Good' EP, which included three covers and a live performance.
On 5 July 2018, it was announced the band recruited drummer Tanner Wayne, replacing Joe Rickard.

I, the Mask (2018–2021)

On 14 December 2018, In Flames announced that their 13th album, I, the Mask×I, the Mask1 March 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Voices4:482I, the Mask3:413Call My Name3:344I Am Above3:505Follow Me4:566(This Is Our) House4:197We Will Remember4:058In This Life3:539Burn3:4410Deep Inside4:2111All the Pain4:3012Stay With Me5:1713Not Alone4:05, would be released on 1 March 2019. As part of this announcement, they released two singles from the upcoming album, "I Am Above×I Am Above14 December 2018 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I Am Above3:49" and "(This Is Our) House×(This Is Our) House14 December 2018 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1(This Is Our) House4:18". The music video for "I Am Above" features Swedish actor Martin Wallström lyp syncing the song in one shot against a black backdrop and does not show any members of the band. The lyric video released for "(This Is Our) House" features live concert footage from the Borgholm Brinner music festival in Sweden.
The album was produced by Howard Benson, mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, and mastered by Ted Jensen. On 10 January 2019, the lyric video for "I, the Mask", the title track of the album, was released via the Nuclear Blast Records' YouTube channel. In Flames was set to open up for Megadeth and Lamb of God with Trivium in the summer of 2020 in North America. The event was rescheduled to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to international visa issues caused by the pandemic, In Flames withdrew from the tour and were replaced with Hatebreed.
On 28 August 2020, In Flames released a 20th anniversary edition of Clayman. It features remastered versions of every song as well as re-recorded versions of "Only for the Weak", "Bullet Ride", "Pinball Map", and "Clayman×Clayman3 July 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Bullet Ride4:422Pinball Map4:083Only for the Weak4:554...as the Future Repeats Today3:285Square Nothing3:586Clayman3:297Satellites and Astronauts5:018Brush the Dust Away3:179Swim3:1410Suburban Me3:3611Another Day in Quicksand3:56". In 2021, Stanne, Strömblad, Svensson, Iwers and Engelin announced the formation of the band The Halo Effect, consisting of former In Flames members.

Foregone (2022–2025)

In early 2022, In Flames announced the festival "Dalhalla Brinner", their own festival taking place in the Dalhalla open air theater. Opening for the band were Orbit Culture, Lorna Shore and Tesseract.
On 13 June 2022, In Flames released the song "State of Slow Decay×State of Slow Decay13 June 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1State of Slow Decay3:58" and announced they were resigning with Nuclear Blast. The song was noted for sounding similar to the band's earlier melodic death metal works. On 1 August, the band released another single, "The Great Deceiver×The Great Deceiver1 August 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks1The Great Deceiver3:452State of Slow Decay3:58". On 15 September 2022, In Flames announced that their 14th studio album, Foregone×Foregone10 February 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The Beginning of All Things That Will End2:132State of Slow Decay3:583Meet Your Maker3:574Bleeding Out4:015Foregone, Pt. 13:246Foregone, Pt. 24:307Pure Light of Mind4:268The Great Deceiver3:459In the Dark4:1710A Dialogue in B‐flat Minor4:2911Cynosure4:0612End the Transmission3:4213Become One3:28, would be released on 10 February 2023. The same day as the album's announcement, a visualizer for the song "Foregone Pt. 1" was released. The album's fourth single, "Foregone Pt. 2", was released on 7 November with a music video. The album's fifth single, "Meet Your Maker×Meet Your Maker16 January 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks1Meet Your Maker3:572Foregone, Pt. 24:303Foregone, Pt. 13:244The Great Deceiver3:455State of Slow Decay3:58", was released on 16 January 2023 with a music video. On 8 June 2023, the band announced that bassist Bryce Paul departed from the band on good terms and revealed his replacement, Liam Wilson of The Dillinger Escape Plan.
On 27 May 2025, the band announced that they parted ways with drummer Tanner Wayne. Two days later, the band announced Jon Rice as their live drummer for their upcoming European tour.

Upcoming fifteenth album (2026–present)

On 4 February 2026, the band began recording their upcoming fifteenth studio album in Los Angeles with Jon Rice, confirming him as the official drummer of the band.
The band would support deathcore band Distant on their North American tour in May 2026, along with Swedish metalcore band Thrown. They are also scheduled to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2026.

Musical style and lyrical themes

In Flames, along with Dark Tranquillity and At the Gates, pioneered what is now known as melodic death metal. In addition, In Flames has also been described as a precursor of the 2000s metalcore sound, which was heavily influenced by melodic death metal in general. In 2006, In Flames made their own metalcore album Come Clarity×Come Clarity1 February 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Take This Life3:352Leeches2:553Reflect the Storm4:164Dead End3:225Scream3:126Come Clarity4:157Vacuum3:398Pacing Death's Trail3:009Crawl Through Knives4:0210Versus Terminus3:1811Our Infinite Struggle3:4612Vanishing Light3:1413Your Bedtime Story Is Scaring Everyone5:18. The founding members of all three bands all lived in Gothenburg, Sweden and they were all friends who shared the same musical interests. Eventually, the 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 he stated he had never heard any band do. In writing songs, Strömblad 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×Lunar Strain1 April 1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Behind Space4:542Lunar Strain4:053Starforsaken3:094Dreamscape3:455Everlost, Part I4:166Everlost, Part II2:587Hårgalåten2:268In Flames5:339Upon an Oaken Throne2:4910Clad in Shadows2:50, the band has made use of keyboards. However, despite their sometimes heavy use of keyboards in their music, they still refuse to recruit a full-time keyboardist.
In Flames' musical style is characterized by the constant use of harmonized lead guitar melodies and screaming-style singing along with death growl. In early albums such as The Jester Race×The Jester Race20 February 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Moonshield5:042The Jester's Dance2:093Artifacts of the Black Rain3:174Graveland2:495Lord Hypnos4:036Dead Eternity5:047The Jester Race4:538December Flower4:129Wayfaerer4:4210Dead God in Me4:15, 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×Soundtrack to Your Escape17 March 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1F(r)iend3:272The Quiet Place3:453Dead Alone3:434Touch of Red4:135Like You Better Dead3:236My Sweet Shadow4:397Evil in a Closet4:028In Search for I3:239Borders and Shading4:2210Superhero of the Computer Rage4:0111Dial 595-escape3:4812Bottled4:17, 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. On 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×Whoracle15 October 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Jotun3:542Food for the Gods4:233Gyroscope3:284Dialogue With the Stars3:035The Hive4:066Jester Script Transfigured5:497Morphing Into Primal3:078Worlds Within the Margin5:089Episode 6663:4810Everything Counts3:1811Whoracle2:5612Goliaths Disarm Their Davids4:5813Acoustic Medley2:3614Behind Space (live)3:37, In Flames' lyrics focused on astrology, mankind, and other global themes. On 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 metal sound. 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, especially in the uplifting chorus melodies. This later style has been mostly described as alternative metal. Since Siren Charms and the subsequent studio album Battles×Battles11 November 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Drained4:072The End3:583Like Sand3:444The Truth3:055In My Room3:256Before I Fall3:287Through My Eyes3:508Battles2:599Here Until Forever4:1910Underneath My Skin3:3111Wallflower7:0612Save Me4:1313Greatest Greed4:1014Us Against the World3:41, they have more extensively used clean vocals as opposed to screams and growls and have played a softer overall sound, putting more emphasis on a melodic alternative metal direction. Very minimal elements of their earlier melodic death metal sound are utilized at this point. However, some very mild elements of this style can still sometimes be heard in their music. Fridén's clean singing style has altered drastically as it is now more prominent and he has taken on a higher-pitched vocal range. This change has often received harsh criticism from older fans for greatly abandoning their roots and instead favouring a much more commercial sound and playing a musical style that is completely unrelated to their original sound.
Foregone was widely considered to be a return to form by the band, with reviewers arguing it's the first album that successfully combined the "old" and "new" styles of the band.

Legacy

In Flames are widely considered one of the pioneers of the melodic death metal sound, and have influenced many bands. They have been especially influential on metalcore, with bands such as Darkest Hour, As I Lay Dying, Trivium, Avenged Sevenfold, All That Remains and Still Remains naming them as a source of inspiration. They have also influenced a number of subsequent melodic death metal bands, including Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, and Blood Stain Child. Nita Strauss has also listed In Flames as an inspiration in her playing and love of music.

Jester Head mascot

When In Flames were recording their second studio album, The Jester Race×The Jester Race20 February 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Moonshield5:042The Jester's Dance2:093Artifacts of the Black Rain3:174Graveland2:495Lord Hypnos4:036Dead Eternity5:047The Jester Race4:538December Flower4:129Wayfaerer4:4210Dead God in Me4:15, 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. The Jester Head is also featured in much In Flames' merchandise and has been featured in banners as part of In Flames' live set.
Swedish ice hockey goaltender, Robin Lehner, who is also from Gothenburg had the Jester Head painted on several of his protective face masks.

Band members

Initially formed as a side project by Ceremonial Oath bassist Jesper Strömblad in 1990, the group's first full lineup in 1993 featured drummer Strömblad, guitarist Glenn Ljungström and bassist Johan Larsson. As the band were without an official vocalist, their 1994 debut Lunar Strain featured contributions from Dark Tranquillity guitarist Mikael Stanne, as well as several guest musicians. The 1995 EP Subterranean×Subterranean2 November 1994 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Stand Ablaze4:372Everdying4:253Subterranean5:494Timeless1:495Biosphere5:08 featured vocals by Dawn's Henke Forss, as well as drums by Daniel Erlandsson of Eucharist and Anders Jivarp of Dark Tranquillity. Around the time of the EP's release, Björn Gelotte joined In Flames as the band's first official drummer, so Strömblad switched to guitar and keyboards, and a short time later Anders Fridén was brought in from Dark Tranquillity as the group's first official vocalist.
The lineup of Strömblad, Ljungström, Larsson, Gelotte and Fridén released The Jester Race in 1996 and Whoracle in 1997. By the end of the recording for Whoracle, however, both Ljungström and Larsson had announced that they were leaving the band. They were replaced for a short tour by Niclas Engelin and Peter Iwers, both of whom were ultimately retained as official members. Engelin only remained until the following year, however, and his role was taken over by Gelotte. The vacated position of drummer was soon filled by Daniel Svensson. The band's lineup remained stable for over a decade, releasing several albums.
In February 2010, founding member Strömblad announced that he was leaving In Flames, with the band admitting that "in order to keep a very dear friend this is probably for the best". He was replaced for tour dates later in the year by a returning Engelin, who was later announced as a full member of the group in March 2011. In late 2015, long-term drummer Svensson also left In Flames, explaining that he wanted to "spend more time with ... [his] wife and three daughters". Joe Rickard was brought in as Svensson's replacement the following year. Iwers also departed a year after Svensson, explaining that he felt it was "the time to move on with other musical and non-musical adventures". Bryce Paul took over his place for future tour dates. In July 2018, Tanner Wayne replaced Rickard.
In 2018, Engelin went on hiatus, with former Megadeth member Chris Broderick filling for live shows. The status of Engelin's belonging of band was unknown, despite Engelin stating that he was still in the band in an August 2020 interview, before refusing to answer the same question in July 2022. Anders confirmed that Chris was "100% officially in the band", hinting that Engelin left or was fired. On 8 June 2023, Bryce Paul announced his departure from the band. Liam Wilson of The Dillinger Escape Plan replaced him, initially as a live member, before becoming official by May 2024. Tanner Wayne left the band in May 2025. Later that month, the band announced Jon Rice as touring drummer. In February 2026, the band entered the studio with Rice, implying his full member status.