By Navjot Kaur Sobti
When we think of the greatest melodic metal guitarists alive today, what’ve we got? Amongst the perhaps obvious runners-up – Michael Ammott, Mikael Akerfeldt, Anders Björler – is Jesper Strömblad: founding member and now former guitarist of Swedish melodic death metal band IN FLAMES. In a myspace post, he wrote that, despite his last “17 years [having] been a blast,” he has decided to quit so that he can “fight and defeat [his] demons once and for all.”
The band, considered among the pioneers of the genre known widely as Gothenburg, was formed in 1993 by Strömblad, who conceived the group with the vision of producing death metal with a strong melodic presence. The band quickly gathered momentum, gaining attention from Frederick Nordstrom (Nuclear Blast producer of AT THE GATES, OPETH, and DIMMU BORGIR fame), who worked with them on their debut release, The Lunar Strain. The band continued to write, record, and promote their releases – touring cross-continentally with the likes of JUDAS PRIEST, TESTAMENT, and DREAM THEATER.
So, when, in 2009, the band was confirmed for the A Sense of Purpose Tour (featuring MEGADETH, JOB FOR A COWBOY, CHILDREN OF BODOM, and HIGH ON FIRE), one would presume that they were tight as ever; yet, just three days into February, days before embarking the tour, they announced that Strömblad would be unable to complete the Australia/South America/Japan legs of the tour. He had checked into rehabilitation, as alcohol abuse was quickly catalyzing his descent into a world of personal demons. While some may have deemed this a red flag (and possible end point) for In Flames’ career, the band got it together: recruiting Niclas Engelin as Strömblad’s (temporary) replacement and releasing their next single, “Delight and Angers.”
Just two weeks later, Strömblad issued his statement of permanent departure from the group. In a rather humble explanation, he wrote, “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.” And while his days on the road brought on “difficult times” for him, he is by no means done making metal, having assured fans that he is “far from done with music, metal,” and that fans can be “sure to hear from [him] in the future.”
On the band’s front – no hard feelings – as they “are, and will always be behind Jesper 100% on his way to recovery,” having left an open invitation for him to rejoin the band, if and when he pleases. As far as In Flames’ future is concerned, the band has stated that they will soon start searching for replacements, so that they can continue to write new music and tour internationally. On a fittingly optimistic note, Strömblad echoes the hopes of both the band and himself – concluding his departure post as any Star Wars Enthusiast would – with a sprightly, “‘May the Force be with you!’”
