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Editorials

CRAPPY NEWS: JESPER STRÖMBLAD LEAVES IN FLAMES

 Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 3:30pm by

Well, this blows goats.

From In Flames’ MySpace page:

“I have decided it is best for me to leave In Flames and to quit the band permanently.

The last 17 years have been a blast, and I am proud to have been part of this great journey, with the most talented and amazing people anyone can wish to have the privilege to work with.

I’m also the luckiest guy in the world, to have the BEST fans in the world, who have been supporting me during my difficult times. It means the world to me, and I’m determined to fight and defeat my demons once and for all…. and by the help from you guys, I’m on my way.

I’m far from done with music, metal, or whatever my direction is taking me, so be sure to hear from me in the future.

.… May the Force be with you!” – Jesper Strömblad

A statement from the rest of the band after the jump.

“We are losing a great guitar player and musician, but in order to keep a very dear friend this is probably for the best. If this feels right for Jesper we are behind him 100% on his decision.

It is way too early to speculate about the future and possible replacements and things like that. However, we can assure you that In Flames will continue as a band, release albums and tour the world.

The door to In Flames is always open to Jesper. We are, and will always be behind Jesper 100% on his way to recovery.” – Anders, Peter, Daniel & Björn

You may recall that with one notable exception – a show in December where he wore a “Rehab is for Quitters” shirt (crappy screen shot above)  – Strömblad has been kinda-sorta out of In Flames for pretty much the past year, since he checked himself into rehab. Everyone always assumed he would return when he had completed his treatment, but obviously that’s no longer the case.

Strömblad is a founding member of In Flames, so there’s really no way to look at this as okay news. We can only hope whomever IF chooses to replace him is immensely talented.

-AR

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  • Kuranes

    That does suck. I was a huge In Flames fan starting around 1997. I’m not into them as much anymore, but I love all the albums up to Clayman and some of the stuff since then. What’s Glenn Ljungstrom doing these days?

    • http://infrontofyou.tumblr.com/ Chaser

      @ Kuranes: you have a very good idea!! ;)

  • Alex_P

    Well, fuck. That’s shitty news. In Flames are the one band I forgave for “selling out”.

  • Discipleofthewatch

    Wow, I’m so disappointed to hear that, and I wish him the best. I’m a huge IF fan.

    I saw them recently, In Flames, and Jesper did look a bit off. He had dyed his hair black.

  • addison

    let’s just hope the person who replaces can write better shit so i’ll listen to them

  • Jedsan

    “Permission to abandon sinking ship, SIR!”

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anthony-Showalter/100000592087843 Anthony Showalter

      This isn’t too bad, In flames hasn’t been very good for the last decade. But I LOVE Clayman and Jester Race.

    • http://www.deathalizer.com Antonio

      In flames just played their biggest headlining gig ever this November in Sweden. How is that possibly a sinking ship?

      • The Overmatt

        Whether the “too-tr00-for-you” fans like it or not, In Flames have only gotten more huge with each new album. If anything I’d say he probably has to be taking on some real personal demons to leave such an established band.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rik-Powell/286400508 Rik Powell

          I’m pretty sure he meant a sinking ship in the musical sense, rather than popularity.

  • Vakarm

    let’s just hope they get back to more melodic stuff like Jester race etc

    • SonOF

      I don’t know how Jester Race is “more melodic,” but my guess is that they are not doing anything “more like Jester Race,” and you can pretty much count on that.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rik-Powell/286400508 Rik Powell

        Jester Race is probably the most melodic album they’ve done…

  • Andy Synn

    This is sad.

    Barring their latest album (almost unremitting garbage from start to finish) I have enjoyed every one of their works, from the folk-infused Lunar Strain/Jester Race days, to the definitive WhoracleColony/Clayman triumvirate, with stops later on at Reroute To Remain (vastly under-rated) and Come Clarity (real step in a good direction when they seemed to be floundering).

    Even Soundtrack… has some really good songs on it, although as a whole it’s not too remarkable.

    BUT..

    I would probably say this heralds a step-up in Dimension Zero’s output, along with the end of Engel (as let’s face it… with The Crown reforming and Niclas Engelin already filling in for Jesper it seems a certainty he’ll stay put now.).

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rik-Powell/286400508 Rik Powell

      I hope you’re right about Dimension Zero. It would really suck if he calls that a day too…

  • http://www.myspace.com/whiskeyrambleproject x101whiskey_ramble101x

    oh well…they’ve been on the verge of sounding like korn for years…. at least someone in the band has the balls to step back and realize that they just aren’t doin it right anymore. their name has become the Nike swoosh for their genre.

    • http://www.myspace.com/whiskeyrambleproject x101whiskey_ramble101x

      Cheers for the photo too, “rehab is for quitters”, nice touch

      • Snafu

        Korn? Seriously? That’s the band you’re comparing them to? Come on, you can do better than that.

        • http://www.myspace.com/whiskeyrambleproject x101whiskey_ramble101x

          if you dont notice any hint of jonathan davis vocals than you aren’t paying any attention

          • Snafu

            Anders and Jonathan Davis sound nothing alike. Maybe you should get your ears checked.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rik-Powell/286400508 Rik Powell

            Jonathan Davis is 100 times the singer Anders is. Especially on ASOP, his vocals are the worst thing about that album. He can’t even do death growls any more it seems, and his singing has turned into whiny emo shit.

  • Zoker

    I loved every album up till STYE , enjoyed Come Clarity and more or less hated ASOP… I hope this change brings some fresh air to the band… but still, sad news…

  • SonOF

    Does this mean that the once-mighty In Flames is going to become even worse musically? so sad..

  • M.

    Sad news. I would hope Niclas Engelin gets the nod as new guitarist (though I think he was in the band during 97-98). But still, it’s gonna be hard to replace Strömblad.

  • Dan

    I’d care if it wasn’t for the fact that they’ve been an awful band for the best part of the last decade.

    • http://www.twistedcritic.wordpress.com Chris

      You care enough to comment on it.

  • Kye

    I’m one of the few that’s loved every release they’ve had it seems. I’d like to think that with Jesper out, there’s a chance In Flames will find someone who can bring something new to the table, but more likely than not, this is the death of the band. Not to say they won’t release anything else, but I have a hard time conceiving how it could be anything worthwhile.

    It was good while it lasted. In Flames We Trust.

  • Brownsound

    Shitty news indeed.. The Mirror’s Truth sucked but had a couple gems that could only be appreciated if you REALLY listened through the rest of the Korn-ish crap a few times, and those gems were pretty much fleeting.

    Lunar Strain, Subterranean, and Jester Race will ALWAYS be on my playlist though.

  • MSalonen

    I’ve loved all their albums and don’t just nuthug their older stuff for the sheer sake of it like some do. It’s all great music.

    I don’t know what this will mean for the band, musically, as Jesper has always been a (maybe even THE) primary songwriter. Or at least was for a long time.

    Shitty, shitty news.

    • Discipleofthewatch

      Myself, you, and Kye love all their albums, apparently.

      Hoping for the best in the future. In Flames We Trust, indeed!

      • Andy Synn

        Why don’t I get a nod???

        *slopes off feeling rejected by the online community of opinionated misfits on whom he based much of his fragile self-esteem*

        • Discipleofthewatch

          Just because you didn’t like the last one, A Sense Of Purpose, that’s all. Peace and metal!

          • Snafu

            I love all their albums too. A Sense of Purpose is a bit of a clunker, but there’s some good songs there too. Reroute to Remain is still my favourite.

      • The Overmatt

        I too have liked every album they’ve put out. Hell I tend to get a lot of flak for saying Come Clarity ties with Clayman as my favourite.

  • Patrick

    I happen to like ‘Come Clarity’ and ‘A Sense Of Purpose’ a lot. I’m used to band members leaving bands I like but wasn’t expecting this one. It sucks.

  • Bicro

    Awwwww fuck.

    I still love IF, tho.

  • Nine

    i literally just shouted “NOOOOOOOO!” and “WHY?!” at my screen.

    this does indeed suck floppy donkey dick. such a shame to see a founding member leave the band that really got me into the metal scene.

    i really hope that they can find someone just as talented as him.

    i was having agood day up to reading this. fuck.

    • Dysenteric

      He was actually the only founding member left, you know.

  • Chris

    GODDAMN that sucks. In Flames was one of the bands that got me into death metal, hell The Jester Race was the first death metal CD i ever bought, not a fan of their later works, but Jester Race, Whoracle, Colony and Clayman are fucking amazing melodeath albums

  • riotact666

    in flames is ace. class act.

    • Dysenteric

      He’s here, everybody! The ever-positive Blabbermouth legend is here!

      Or is it an impostor?

      • deanerhead

        Imposter…since when does the real RiotAct use adjectives like “ace?”

        • familyghost

          lame!!

  • familyghost

    welp now they’re gonna suck even more!!this band died in 2001 son!!we_get_it_here!!WHo0o0o00o0o0o Wheeeeeeeeee

    • LULWUT

      …. I recognize the words in your post but I’m not entirely sure you’re speaking English.

      • familyghost

        oh i speak it son!!speak it clearly too!!get that wax out of your ear and listen a man who know’s what he’s saying!!we_get_it_here!!free bird!!

  • Dysenteric

    So that’s it, the only founding member left has gone. I wonder what guitarist they’ll find to help them on their way towards nu-metal hell.

    Speaking of which, Lunar Strain and Subterranean were due to be re-released on vinyl this year – are they out yet?

  • Facebook User

    Now that Jesper is gone, I hope this means IF can step up their game. The new album was pretty tight but it lacked the feel the first few albums had. Hopefully, this will get the band back into the swing of things.

    And I hope Jesper finds his clarity, no pun intended. He is an awesome musician and I wish him nothing but the best.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Max-Waldt/1371330194 Max Waldt

    This is a shame I have always loved In Flames and they were one of the bands that got me into the great and terrifying monster named metal. I hope he has success with rehab and can continue to make music in the future, as for In Flames I am interested in seeing what the future of the band will be.

  • http://fantasyh.wordpress.com fantasyh

    I’m going to cry in a corner now.
    Glad I have a signed picture of me with the band I got two years ago, that might have the last chance. I really hope they find some awesome to replace Jesper, though it’s really hard to find a person who’s half the songwriter Jesper is.

  • B-dizzle

    Not like this band is worth shit anymore as it is

  • BEHEMOHAWK

    Damn.

    Not that they were going to release anything as good as Whoracle ever again, this still sucks.

  • sva181

    This kinda blows. He was one of the founding members, its hard to imagine In Flames without him.

    On a related note, this band has been below par for a while. But I’m not seeing how it sounds like Korn at all?

  • KilledByDeath

    That what happens when you don’t let the lead guitarist put some solos on the album :P

    • http://fantasyh.wordpress.com fantasyh

      No, it’s not like that. During the whole production of ASOP he said that he’d rather focus on his rythm playing, and take a step back on the shredding.
      But I do agree that their new album could use some good ‘ol melodeath solos.

  • rupert

    In Flames We Trust. compare them to another band is something only a dumbass would do. best band in metal. if you dont agree then fuck you. and dont argue with me how they sold out. yes they changed their style but last i checked they are not on mtv or producing radio friendly hits. most talented band in the world. they dont just write music to pay the bills. they are true musicians who play better live than it sounds on the recording. yes they lost a great musician, but i believe this band will keep going strong for another decade

    • familyghost

      GTFO fangirl!!you dont want none son!!

      • rupert

        i you want to talk make a valid argument and i might listen. if not fuck you pussy

        • familyghost

          get in the pit gayboy!!we’ll see bad you are then!!lets dance bitch!!make you my toaster son!!slam you against the wall and break all your new in gayme’s cd’s while you cry like the little girl that you are!!this is a man’s sport, no little girls allowed gayboy!!stuf fangirl!!real metal only!!none of your metalcore bullshit!!we_get_it_here!!little girl!!WHo0o0oo0o00 Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee

          • rupert

            your ignorance makes me laugh. if you want to talk shit get your facts straight and come up with some better trash talk. gayboy? calling me a girl? let me guess you are either a 13 year old who only listens to cannibal corpse, or a late 20 year old who also listens to only cc, but you live in you mother’s basement, and lord knows you do not know what a vagina looks like. i guarantee you that if you ever ran into me in to the pit, it would be the last thing you ever did. i will dance with you all day, but just know it will be your ass on the ground at the end of the day. also i am taking from your well written comback, that you are literally gay. you enjoy taking it in the ass from your life partner named jim. no girls allowed? what are you going to jerk yourself off the rest of your life? oh wait you have your life partner jim. you should also know that in flames is not metalcore. they are melodic death metal. even though metalcore bands are influenced by the melodic death metal, there is a difference. way to take something as great as music, and turn it into a little bitch fight just because mommy and daddy never loved you and no girls would look at you. this will be the last thing i write tonight because it is a friday night and im about to make love with a woman, something you will never do in your life. fuck you pussy, next time slit your wrists the correct way and die

          • Nine

            reminds me a pretty good quote that seems to go around a fair bit now:

            “fighting on the internet is like competing in the special olympics, even if you win you’re still retarded.”

            no one wants to read your shit here.

        • familyghost

          awww little fangirl got his feeling hurt!!melodeath??bah!!they USED to be melodeath!!now they’re melogay!!WHo0o000o0oWHeeeeeeeeeeeee little girl got her feeling hurt!!the big ghost is mean!!rude!!out of control!!can’t handle the ghost can ya!!punk!!

          • really…

            is there a point to this..?

  • BoB_Spldbckwrds

    insert coment that establishes me as an old fan who can’t stand their new direction here.

    oh, wait, i enjoyed a sense of purpose.

  • Viking_xxx

    Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

    Jesper, get well.

    In Flames we trust!

  • ITTOA666

    Now in flames is gonna go down the tube even further. Dammit.

  • StoneMonkey

    LOL. The only founding member leaves. Whatever. Maybe he’ll make a real band and N*Flaymez will die in a bus accident.

  • Fong Chung

    YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!! In Flamez is gonna spllit up!!

    • http://infrontofyou.tumblr.com/ Chaser

      YOu Shouldn’t be happy for this.

  • steve

    I have never seen a story about IF in which at least one douchebag didn’t post some whiny diatribe about how “they sucked after (fill in album here)”
    Nobody cares what or who the fuck you little insecure idiots dislike. Until any of you pussies can make a better album than In Flames can, suck it.

    • familyghost

      obviously you care, otherwise you wouldnt be bitching about it.

  • Tonberry

    You know, I was a big fan of their old stuff, and they had been dead to me since Reroute, but I really liked A Sense of Purpose. To me, it was the realization of a direction that they had been trying to go in and failing at the previous few albums. This is terrible news.

  • Romaould the Loquacious

    How utterly depressing. I loved In Flames. I’m not even sure how I can take this. All good things must end I guess. How depressing though. :/

  • CYN1C

    This is sad. In Flames was one of the bands that really got me into metal and for this I will always be grateful.

    Thanks Jesper, and good luck!

  • orbital

    shit news.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rik-Powell/286400508 Rik Powell

    In Flames without Jesper just isn’t In Flames. The last album was awful anyway, they should just call it a day and not continue the mockery they’ve become.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kelly-Wayne-Miller/1231733283 Kelly Wayne Miller

    Finally this band can be put to rest. In my mind the grave had already been dug, the only thing left was the casket. Well it’s in, now we are just waiting for that final nail.

  • piss off Rik Powell

    Would someone please put a bullet through this Rik Powell, if not to shut him up. Flamebait bastard.

  • Woody

    In Flames was my favuorite band of all time, up until the last two albums. Come Clarity was good, but I felt like something was missing, and then A Sense of Purpose was just garbage, the lyrics were awful, and the music wasn’t that great either. The last album was like Melodic Screamo, what a waste of my money.

    I hope the band gets a new guitarist, and actually writes a good album again, otherwise anything else is just unacceptable and In Flames should just go away.

  • http://Duder Rufus Chalmers

    I cant even believe what im reading, most of you putting down the band that is responsible for melodic death metal. Every album is a masterpiece in its own way. If you dont think so then you are not a true fan and really have no say in the matter. Fucking unbelievable

    • Dan

      You can’t say that. Just because a band was good nearly 20 years ago doesn’t make every other album they’ve made exempt from criticism. That’s like saying just because Metallica wrote Master of Puppets, St Anger is also untouchable. It doesn’t work like that.

      We ALL have a lot of respect for In Flames, I’m sure everyone who posted on this article has loved Whoracle, Clayman etc and said nothing less. But that doesn’t mean that we have no choice but to love the newer albums.

      They fact is, they lost their edge a long time ago. It’s sad but true.

  • Justin

    Good, In Flames haven’t been good since Reroute to Remain and haven’t been great since Whoracle. As one of the main song writers, he was one of the ones responsible for their decline so maybe they can get someone in who can help push them in the right direction. I’m hoping Anders will quit too since I’m sure he is the other half of why this band sucks now. His vocals are pathetic now and it is clear he is on autopilot just enjoying their fame and not really giving a **** about the band anymore.

  • Shamier2009

    i love inflames but i cant understand the lyrics. so the melodies are cool but english is not the language for this band. cloudconnected types of songs would be awesome!

    • Shamier2009

      their last album fading playgrpound rocks!