Iconic ex-In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad has revealed the main reason that made him decide to quit the legendary Gothenburg metallers in 2010 after 17 years at the helm.
In 2010 the band announced that Strömblad was stepping down from guitar duties permanently having missed a good chunk of the band’s 2009 tour to seek treatment for alcohol abuse problems. While it was widely speculated (and then officially confirmed) he had been given the boot from the band because of the alcohol problems, Strömblad has now opened up to reveal via his Facebook page that the alcohol issues actually played a small part in his reasons to leave In Flames. The reasons spurned from fan questions of whether he will ever return to the band:
“No one never knows what the future brings, but the chances [of me rejoining In Flames] are slim as they embarked on a different musical journey, they have a solid lineup and I’m on a totally different path in life right now,”
“I would never go into details why I quit, but there is always one official story and there is the other… Alcohol is a quite small part of it.
“That can also answer the next question: What do I think of their new stuff? Listen to [my new band] The Resistance and that explains a bit of it.
“We simply went [in] different directions.
“I need to stand behind and feel inspired with what I do 100%, I owe it to the fans and, obviously, the band.
“All respect to In Flames and their new approach, but, for me, the band was a guitar/riff-based melodeath band. And it’s not anymore, but still amazing musicianship and I don’t think it’s wrong. But it’s not the vision I had when we started out. But still, all respect to them and the huge success; [it is] highly deserved!
“So please, I wish, change the comment from ‘Come back to In Flames’ to ‘Welcome Niklas Engelin,’ who is one of the nicest talented guys, and the one who fill my shoes perfect, and brings back an amazing energy live and personally!
“So there you have it.
“I do not and will never compromise with my music. I’m on a new path together with the guys in THE RESISTANCE who made me want to play again and the good feeling of being a part of a band. Dedication, friendship, genuine passion for the music! Money, fame, Grammys, etc., doesn’t matter a crap if you you’re not committed 100% to it.
“I also have a solo album coming up, a facebreaking EP and album with THE RESISTANCE and some other other exciting projects.
“So… everyone is where they belong.. I’m in a band I love. IN FLAMES do their thing great… All good.”
There you have it. Straight from the horses mouth, and to be honest it is not the biggest surprise in the world. The release of ‘A Sense of Purpose‘ in 2008 is widely argued as In Flames’ descent into obscurity and gave a key point for Strömblad to leave in 2010. We have not been a fan of the post-Strömblad material, and our thoughts on the latest record ‘Siren Charms‘ are shall we say…less than fantastic. Perhaps Strömblad really was an integral part in keeping the early In Flames elements alive.