In Flames Parts Ways With Guitarist Jesper Stromblad

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.”
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33 Comments on "In Flames Parts Ways With Guitarist"


8. 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!

9. 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).



14. 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.
17. 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
18. 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.



23. 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....
24. 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
25. 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.

28. 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.
31. 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!
32. 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.
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1. DeathCrush writes:
damn, what made him want to quit?