In Flames has been on a merry-go-round of members since their inception in 1990, but the current lineup has remained the same for two recordings and it looks solid for the future. There is no mistaking the sound of In Flames from the rest of their Gothenburg cohorts. In Flames has a powerful guitar attack that cuts like a machete and soothes the savage beast within. Jesper Strömblad and Björn Gelotte tag team their guitars in perfect harmony, in the process becoming metal's guitar heroes for the 21st Century. Daniel Swensson (formerly of Sacrilege) has shown his mettle and solidifies the rhythm section with a drumming technique that will make your heart race. It appears there has always been an "Iwers" family member in In Flames, whether it's current bassist Peter Iwers or his now-gone brother Anders Iwers (Tiamat). Every band needs a frontman and the alternately growling and harmonizing vocals of Anders Fridén virtually defines their sweet and sour melodic death metal.

In Flames has it all: addictive melodies, ferocious drumming, powerful vocals, steaming hot guitars, and now your attention. So read on and understand that when these Swedes come to your town, you don't want to miss them. And if they come to your town for a second time, don't worry. The In Flames mystique just gets better with every listen.

How is the tour going so far and has there been any stressful situations?

Anders Fridén: Only today, because we were late. This place has a curfew and everything was delayed because we got here late. We had sixty minutes to play and we wanted to play for another fifteen minutes. Shit happens, but it turned out good.

This was an all-ages show so there is a curfew in effect.

Anders: I know. What the fuck?

This is Washington, man. It's a miracle they let it be an all-ages show.

Anders: It is good that it was all-ages, then anybody who wanted to come could.

Who is in the band now and how long have they been together?

Anders: I'm vocals and I joined in '95. Jesper's on guitar and he was a founding member. Björn, on guitar, joined in '95. Daniel's the drummer and he joined in '98. Our bass player, Peter Iwers, is home with a new child, so we have a replacement right now.

From reading about the band's history, it says before you joined them the band once wrote 14 songs in one day for a record label?

Anders: What was going on was that we had a demo and sent it to a record company. This company liked it and asked if they had more songs. They told the company that they did, but it was a lie. So, we--the band--had to write a bunch of songs the next day.

Is the writing process always this short?

Anders: No, no. It differs. Early on it took three, four, five months to do an album. Björn and Jesper rehearsed together at home. They put things together and then came with whole songs. We jammed with them and added more pieces. For the new album, all of us gathered in the studio for a month. We all had our opinions about the songs and song structure--more so than it had ever been. It also went way faster and it was way more comfortable. We made pre-production this time which, I think, is really, really good.

Is this your first show in Seattle?

What is it like for you to be in America?

Anders: Great. It is a big, new market. There are a lot of things to do. I think we are coming over with something that is a bit unique. Something for people to hear. They have heard it through the underground, but have not experienced it live.

So far, so good.

You talk about a theme that runs through the new album.

Anders: There isn't any theme. No theme on the new album. Maybe in the past, lyrically. Maybe our theme when it comes to music is the obvious blend of aggression and melody. That should be it. But lyrically it is more about me and how I think and feel. The lyrics are very personal this time around--more inwards compared to the other albums, which were more an outlook on society.

This is more of your personal writings and inner feelings coming out?

Anders: Yes, yes. It's way more personal. The things that I really, really wanted to write about. I wanted to express them, just get them out. I always write small pieces then I save them. They just lay around my apartment everywhere and when it comes time to write an album I put them together and try to write a story.

I don't want to go into what they're about. I want people to come see us and to think for themselves. We are not preaching, but we want to make them aware of some things. I think that what I have gone through a lot of other young people go through.

This is a way for people to connect that may have had the same experiences?

Anders: Yes. It is fun for me when I go meet people or the fans outside come to me and say, "Hey, I had the same thing happen." Then we can discuss the songs on a more personal level.

What is the symbolism behind the Jester and how does this tie into In Flames?

Anders: It is something we came up with on The Jester Race album. It's like a symbol or something. There is a big theme throughout The Jester Race and Whoracle albums. The albums are more like connected parts; they are more like concept albums that we have done. People relate to this and when they see the symbol they think of In Flames. It is our little Eddie.

You talk about in other interviews that you only write a few songs and work on them until they are done. Can you explain how this works and when is a song considered done?

Anders: When every riff has a purpose and when everyone is happy. We never write thirty songs for an album and throw out ten of them. We want to do all the songs until all are happy. You give birth to something and you still want to be proud of these things after a year or two.

I know that Clayman just came out, but what do you see as the next progression on the path of In Flames?

Anders: Writing impressive music for people that are interested in listening to it. We'll see. I don't know when we'll do the next album. I don't think we'll start writing at the end of summer as planned. We still have a lot of touring to do, and I think we will come back to America one more time.

Anders: Dark Tranquillity. We were supposed to tour with them this time around. They are from my hometown and are very good friends. Another band that I would definitely want to bring over is called Soilwork, who are really good.

How do you view the Gothenberg scene?

Anders: We were one of the first bands involved in it. For us personally, it hasn't affected us in a negative way. I think it has only been good to us. For the bands after us it has been more of a struggle. I wouldn't be happy if I were one of these bands who always has to be compared to In Flames--even if they play different music than us. They are always put into this Gothenberg thing. I am kinda sick and tired of it. Anyway, I think the scene is gone already.

Why is Clayman a more serious album compared to earlier releases? The earlier albums seemed more fun.

Anders: I think it is more fun now. When we experience more we can be more relaxed. We have grown as persons and have toured a lot now. We feel we know the situations we now have to deal with. We have management, and we have a booking agency and everything, so we don't have to take care of the business side of it. We can concentrate solely on the music. So we have a more relaxed atmosphere or feel towards the music. Everything was very, very serious from the early beginning.

I like the way that you are trying to grow and expand upon the previous albums. You are not trying to make the same album over and over again.

Anders: I have heard it the other way around as well. People have said we sound exactly the same from album to album. I don't agree to that, but I don't want a band that I like to change totally either. I want them to go further and do something a little different to incorporate new styles or take influences from other styles. That is what we are doing.

When did you first start including electronic loops into your music?

Anders: On Colony.

How did you feel about this?

Anders: I really liked the way it turned out. It added another flavor to our music. It added more depth to it.

Any last comments or something to say?

Anders: Thank you, of course. Thank you very much for getting our word out.

On the web:
In Flames

Inside Earpollution:
Clayman album review