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In Flames Parts Ways With Guitarist Jesper Stromblad

posted Feb 12, 2010 at 3:03 PM by xFiruath.  (33 Comments)

Photo of In Flames

Band Photo: In Flames (?)

In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad has parted ways with the band. Strömblad issued the following statement about the decision:

“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!"

In Flames also issued the following statement:

"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.”

What's Next?

33 Comments on "In Flames Parts Ways With Guitarist"

DeathCrush's avatar

Member

1. DeathCrush writes:

damn, what made him want to quit?

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 3:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
xFiruath's avatar

Former Contributor

2. xFiruath writes:

Didn't say specifically, but the tone makes it seem like an addiction sort of thing.

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 3:31 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
UmbraGrey's avatar

Member

3. UmbraGrey writes:

it sucks that hes leaving the band
i wish him and the band all the best
hopefully he can do what he needs to do and come back to In Flames

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 3:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
KMADD's avatar

Supporter

4. KMADD writes:

Yeah Jesper had a drug and alcohol problem. If i played shiity new metal past clayman i would drink myself to death too.

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 3:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Guttersniper's avatar

Member

5. Guttersniper writes:

He has provided us with some amazing music over the years, I wish the best for him in coping with his demons.... Since he said he is permanently leaving In Flames but may still advance his music career, i wonder what hes gonna end up doing

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 4:08 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

6. metal as fuck writes:

f*** i hope the band doesnt change their sound if they get a replacement.

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 4:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

7. SonOfKalmah writes:

bro they changed their sound after whoracle pretty much. and the sound they created past clayman sucks balls

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 7:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
HeadbangerHippy's avatar

Member

8. HeadbangerHippy writes:

Damn! I love this guy! Amazing songwriter! I am p***ed off, ruined my Friday. >;.<; I hope he can bring himself through this and rejoin the band! I am worried, Jesper writes alot fo their stuff, I hope their songwriting can stay on course without him. My regards!

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 7:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

9. Geebs writes:

Man...and I thought they were getting bad already. They are tanked now. Maybe he'll start a new project that shows off his ability.

I'm a big fan of his (early) playing...I met him and the rest of the band once and they were genuinely nice guys who play their asses off. I hope he beats his addiction(s).

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 8:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

10. hewhoshallnotbenamed writes:

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
can't say i didn't see it coming though.
best wishes to jesper and thanks for all the metal!\m/

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 10:12 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

11. DMS writes:

Well.....another death metal band, another guy leaving a band, whats the difference.?

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 11:24 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

12. b.bristowe writes:

Way to fail at rehab and let down all your fans you sh**. It's called self control. Although I guess me telling you this now is a little redundant

# Feb 12, 2010 @ 11:25 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
cruor's avatar

Supporter

13. cruor writes:

The band continuing is bull sh** now that the founding member has left.

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 2:44 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Natsquatch's avatar

Member

14. Natsquatch writes:

"another death metal band, another guy leaving, what's the difference?"

First of all, In Flames isn't even death metal. Get informed. They may have been melo-death in the beginning, but those days are long past. Not that what I'm saying matters to you though, if In Flames is just "another death metal band" to you.

Why do people who don't know much usually choose death metal as their genre to bash? "Oh, they all sound the same, cookie monster, they focus too much on heaviness/technicality, insert asinine generalization here".

People like this are why I stopped reading the comments on the articles here for awhile in the first place. The forum is great, but the news comments section is filled with idiocy.

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 3:30 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BodomBeach's avatar

Member

15. BodomBeach writes:

Noooooo... *cries*

Nat- I totally agree with your last comment. Loads of sites I go on, I can't bear reading the comments.

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 4:03 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
maidenmexico's avatar

Member

16. maidenmexico writes:

f***ing sh** , what will happen to them!
i just saw the news this morning , we will miss the man!

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 8:39 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
tallica_fan's avatar

Member

17. tallica_fan writes:

ppl have warped opinions sometimes, just because the stuff after clayman wasnt as unpolished as the stuff before, doesnt mean it wasnt good. sick of this attitude that if it doesnt sound intimidating and harsh that its not good.

..i reckon metal must have the most critical fanbase in existence lol

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 11:11 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DM725's avatar

Member

18. DM725 writes:

Yes the albums after Clayman can't compare to the older ones but there are still good songs on each album, just not as many and they aren't Melodic Death...

This is really bad news if you're an In Flames fan. Jesper wasn't lead guitar but he sure as hell was the heart and sole of In Flames (in past years) and I hope they find somebody that knows their old catelogue in and out and can help them return to their past glory.

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 11:57 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

19. Danne writes:

sigh i actually cried when i heard the news. I cant belive jesper left just yesterday im shocked.
In Flames was my life and if they dont get a damn good replacement i dont know what im gonna do...

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 2:02 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
UmbraGrey's avatar

Member

20. UmbraGrey writes:

the only guitar player that could possibly fill Jesper's spot is Alexander Koupalla (ex-Children Of Bodom)

in my opinion of course

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 2:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

21. RTB writes:

Ive seen IF a handfull of times live and they were great each time...1st time was with slayer and soulfy in 03 and they came out dressed in hospital gowns just kickin azz.....wish the band and jesper well

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 2:20 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Valentine_no_more's avatar

Supporter

22. Valentine_no_more writes:

It truly is a sad day in history...

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 3:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

23. Meg writes:

In rehab, they stress all kinds of things to keep you sober and healthy.
Your supposed to stop drinking, find new ways to deal with whatever it is that's making you drink, start taking care of yourself and start taking care of your relationships and family. These things are the core of Rehab.
Unfortunately, they also stress the removal of bad people/ drinking buddies/ bad enviroments/etc.

We all know the band loves to drink. And I stress LOVE...
They love to party and have a good time while on tour. They're a metal band, you know?!? It's expected.
And for Jesper to tour and to be around that environment.....it's just good...at least not now. And he is always going to have to be careful. To keep all of his progress...if he went off the wagon, it would cause tons of animosity...tons of drama and stress, and then yeah, the band would break up.
He's doing what is right, just like the band said.
It's a pretty smart move on his part, really....honestly.
but thats just my opinion....

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 6:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
MetalFan420's avatar

Member

24. MetalFan420 writes:

This is good news. InFlames is now over with. Jesper is an amazing musician and his talent is what helped make old IF great and one of my favorite bands. He should have left after clayman and went out on a high note. I really hope he will still be active in Dimension Zero as that is another great band

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 8:18 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
deathfan87's avatar

Member

25. deathfan87 writes:

^ i agree, hopefully in flames will give it up now because they are going straight down hill. clayman was definitely thier last really good album reroute to remain wasn't too bad but come clarity i think was the nail in the coffin for this band. wish jesper the best and hope he comes forth in the near future with something that will make in flames wither up and die. hope to see in flames and sepultura call it a day soon.

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 8:30 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

26. zuraz writes:

Noooooooooooooooo... I hail to one of the greatest musicians of all time, (one of the) founder of the Gotenburg sound and my biggest inspiration to pick up the guitar everyday. Long live Jesper !

# Feb 13, 2010 @ 9:55 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

27. Killcomplete writes:

I'd quit too if i were in In Flames....

# Feb 14, 2010 @ 12:47 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
deadstorm's avatar

Member

28. deadstorm writes:

This is almost the same as when Chris Amott left Arch Enemy. Everyone thought it was over but he ended up coming back after a couples years. And even though he had left, it was still Arch Enemy. With or without Jesper, In Flames will always be In Flames. It just sucks that he had to leave to band.

# Feb 14, 2010 @ 12:24 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Natsquatch's avatar

Member

29. Natsquatch writes:

I completely agree, Deadstorm. I doubt that their sound is going way downhill from here on out because of this. I guess some people would say that already happened, haha, but I have at least liked each album In Flames has put out so far.

# Feb 14, 2010 @ 2:59 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Hammerheart's avatar

Member

30. Hammerheart writes:

I don't remember, but wasn't Jesper the one who was hopelessly addicted to WoW?

# Feb 14, 2010 @ 11:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Sanguis_Ardor_Mortis's avatar

Member

31. Sanguis_Ardor_Mortis writes:

Hopefully he keeps writing for bands like Dimension Zero without the rigors of touring. Niclas Engelin did a great job filling in for him on the last tour so the band will be fine live. It remains to be seen what direction the song writing will go without him but hopefully the band can regroup. All the best, Jesper!

# Feb 15, 2010 @ 3:58 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
xDecapitation's avatar

Member

32. xDecapitation writes:

I just got wind that it is because of an alcohol addiction he had been fighting for years, and that now he has come to accept he needs to stop living the life of a true rock star in order to get over this addiction. Supposedly there is little to no hope of him returning...but In Flames has to continue in my opinion, to legendary.

# Feb 22, 2010 @ 2:06 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
n0thinghead's avatar

Podcaster/Writer

33. n0thinghead writes:

i'm too late!! noooo!!!

# Mar 1, 2010 @ 5:37 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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