Interview: Face-to-face with IN FLAMES

IN FLAMES is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990 by Jesper Strömblad. In 2010 Jesper left the band. Jesper who before officially leaving the band took some time off touring and was at the time replaced live by Niclas Engelin and in 2011 Niclas has become a full member of In Flames. The 10th album “Sounds Of A Playground Fading” was released in June 2011 via Century Media Records. In Flames are: Björn Gelotte – Guitars, Niclas Engelin – Guitars, Anders Fridén – Vocals, Peter Iwers – Bass Guitar, Daniel Svensson – Drums.

I had a chance to interview Niclas Engelin on In Flames’ one-off Italian show, in Milan, less than one month ago…

Hi Niclas, welcome to Metal Shock Finland, and welcome to Italy! What was your first thought of this morning?

So nice to be in Milan and in Italy, in general wish I could spend some more time in your great country!!

We’re now sitting in restaurant near to Alzatraz in Milan, and in couple of hours you’ll go on stage… what do you expect from tonight’s show?

I hope in will be a full on rock show with people singing along and us sweating our asses off to deliver a great show!!

Btw, what do you think of italian audience in generally? any good/bad memories to share with me?

I only have the greatest of memories of Italy, would like to do more festivals over here which would be just awesome, I just like the mentality and it rock´s which is awesome!!

Talking about the tours in generally, playing and singing night after night must be tough with all the transfers and too less sleep … so how do you keep yourself in shape?

We don´t get younger so I´m really picky on staying in shape cus I want to deliver a great show every night so I stay calm on the alcohol side of things and only party when it´s day-offs… and try to eat healthy and shower everyday and stay fresh in mind and body which help alot!!

Your new album “Sounds Of a Playground Fading” came out in june… after these couple of months of the release, what has been the reaction of your fans and critis?

I have a feeling that we have reached out to a new younger audience or added younger rockers which is just great cus´I think we got something for every ages and genres!! And the critics is just great so we are all very happy about the reviews and the reaction from the fans.

The album cover, a blindfolded bird, a crow… how does it reflect the album’s songs?

Guess your asking the wrong guy about this cover, Anders is the one who to ask but I think that the cover art really blends together well with the music and it´s a really great piece of art that´s in the booklet as well…so I´m really in love with the cover art!!

Your mascot, Jester Head… how he’s doing today?

Just had a chat with him and he´s doin´all good and is on our side of thing´s but I guess we have not seen the last of him 😉

I’d like to ask about Jesper (Strömblad), who left the band in february 2010 for his alcoholic addiction… but do you want to say something else about this?

He´s a friend of mine since the 7th grade and we formed our first band together so we go way back in time!! I know he´s writing awesome music in his new band The Resistance!! And hope to see him on stage again ASAP!!! that´s where belong 🙂

Niclas, you’ve been played with In Flames already during their different tours, since 1997, and since this year you’re the full member… do you want to tell me something about your official entrance into the band?

I know´n these guy´s for so long and been in and around the band the whole time so for me it´s a natural thing to play with In Flames cus´we are all laid back and happy!! I don´t try to fill Jesper´s shoes or anything I´d just do my thing and hope people will like what I do which been the case since I began in the band, so we are all happy about the fans reactions.

Niclas, what about the latest news, concerning Engel… I know that you’re coming to Italy to tour with Pain next month…

YES!! It´s going to be killer…finally Italy again!! We are in the process of touring our asses off during this second half of 2011 and will have a new album out in the spring of 2012 if everything´s goes as we plan!! So I guess that ENGEL will be way more active when it comes to touring and showing the people what a great band ENGEL is!!

Just recently you organized HELL with All-Male Choir In Gothenburg… please tell me about this project and how it all started? And are you going to repeat the HELL-experience?

Wow!! I got this plan of adding a choir to our music and had these visions how it could sound like and since Mangan used to be in this choir, we just had some meetings and rehearsals which blended just perfectly to our music and visions.They work in another kinda world but the good thing is to put these worlds together which makes it al intressting and worth the whole procedure!! I guess we have not seen the last of HELL!! which is something I wish to do more of.

And what are Engel’s next plans? a new album, I suppose…

A new album is on the way just some politics that have to be solved first other than that we are on the move for sure for a new one comin´up!!

One curioisity, what are your favourite dishes and drinks? and when you want to relax, what do you do?

I´m realy into Tapas and Mexican food but Swedish seafood is killer especially from the westcoast 😉 Relax?? ahaha…there is none…I like to be with my family and friends and really like a good laugh!! Forgot about my coffe addiction!! just like to discover new blands so Italy is the shit!!

The time’s running, so what are your greetings to our readers, as In Flames and as Engel…

I´m so happy and blessed to play in these two bands and to share stage with all these talented musicians & great people!! I hope to see you all out on the road somewhere along way and a huge thank you to everyone for liking & supporting our music!! Thank´s for the interview Tarja!!

Thanks to you Niclas, have a kick-ass show tonight and see you next month on Pain/Engel-tour… \m/

Interview by Tarja Virmakari – Live Photos: Francesco Pace

IN FLAMES – Deliver Us (OFFICIAL VIDEO)