At the thunderous heart of Wacken Open Air, the legendary German metal festival that draws hundreds of thousands of fans annually, IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén sat down with Paolo Phoenix of Magenta TV for an in-depth interview. The conversation, held amidst the vibrant chaos of one of the world’s premier heavy metal gatherings, provided a crucial update on the recording progress of the Swedish-American metallers’ fifteenth studio album. The band has once again entrusted their sonic vision to the acclaimed Los Angeles studio of Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson, a partnership that has been in place since their 2016 album, "Battles." Benson’s extensive resume, which includes collaborations with iconic acts such as Mötörhead, Body Count, and Sepultura, underscores the caliber of talent guiding IN FLAMES’ latest endeavor. He is joined by engineer Mike Plotnikoff, whose expertise has been instrumental in shaping the band’s recent sonic landscapes.
Album Progress and Creative Philosophy
Addressing the swirling rumors about the album’s completion, Fridén offered a candid response: "Ah, the rumors. The rumors are not true. We’re still building, you know, building the LEGO. It’s going well, though." This "LEGO" analogy suggests a meticulous and ongoing creative process, where each element is carefully placed to construct the final edifice of the album. When pressed about what will make the upcoming LP unique, Fridén articulated a philosophy deeply rooted in the band’s identity: "It will sound like IN FLAMES and like no one else. That’s as unique as you can get, I would say. But I think we continue what we’ve been creating and putting everything that IN FLAMES [has] ever been into one big album. And I can’t wait for people to hear it. We are really proud of it. Everybody’s on top of their game. And, yeah, it sounds amazing already, and it’s not even mixed." This statement highlights a commitment to evolving their signature sound while simultaneously drawing from their extensive catalog, promising a synthesis of their past and present. The fact that the album sounds "amazing already" even before the mixing stage is a testament to the robust foundation being laid in the studio, indicating a high level of confidence from the band members.
A Legacy of Melodic Death Metal and Musical Evolution
The interview also delved into the band’s pioneering role in shaping the melodic death metal genre. Fridén expressed a humble detachment from the label, stating, "No, no, no, no, not at all. We were just fans of music, and we just wanted to create our way of what we thought heavy metal was… We were just having fun creating what we loved and took inspiration from tons of other bands." He acknowledged the honor and humility that comes with such recognition but emphasized the importance of staying grounded. This perspective on their influence is crucial; it suggests that their groundbreaking sound emerged organically from a genuine passion for music rather than a calculated attempt to define a genre.
Fridén further elaborated on the interconnectedness of musical creation, admitting, "It’s so difficult to be super, super, super original… And then that’s how this music evolves, too. You take bits and pieces, and you throw in some of your own ideas and it just keeps the music moving forward." He drew a parallel to the iconic band Iron Maiden, playfully admitting, "If IRON MAIDEN is listening right now, then we stole some of your riffs. And that’s just the truth." This candid acknowledgement of musical lineage and the concept of "borrowing" and evolving ideas is a cornerstone of how music progresses. He championed a philosophy where creative output is ultimately shared: "And, to be fair, when we create an album, and when we’re done, we give it to the fans, and it’s out of our hands. We can’t do anything anymore. It’s just up to everyone else. We can’t control it. It’s yours. And if someone wants to take those ideas and be inspired to create their own band or in an already existing band, feel free." This generous outlook underscores a deep respect for the fan base and the broader musical community, viewing their work as a contribution to an ongoing dialogue rather than a closed system.
The Passionate Metal Fanbase and Creative Freedom
The conversation then turned to the often-passionate and vocal nature of heavy metal fans. Fridén articulated a profound appreciation for this characteristic: "I love that people are passionate… they will judge you left and right, but they’re also super passionate, and that’s what I love about the genre. That’s why I wanna be in it." He recalled his initial perception of the genre as a space of absolute freedom: "You can do whatever you want, right? Like, scream and play loud music, and that’s fine." However, he humorously acknowledged the later realization of unspoken "rules" within certain sub-sections of the fandom, before defiantly asserting, "But fuck that. Do whatever you want." This sentiment resonates with the core ethos of heavy metal, a genre that has historically thrived on rebellion and individual expression, often pushing boundaries and challenging conventions.
Personnel Changes and Studio Milestones
The upcoming album will mark a significant milestone in the band’s history: the recording debut of drummer Jon Rice. Rice has been a touring member of IN FLAMES since May 2025, bringing his extensive experience from previous collaborations with bands such as Behemoth, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, The Red Chord, Job for a Cowboy, and Scorpion Child. This transition follows the departure of drummer Tanner Wayne in May 2025, who had been with the band for seven years. Wayne had joined IN FLAMES in time for their summer 2018 tour, succeeding Joe Rickard, who performed on the 2016 album "Battles." Wayne’s live debut with the band took place on July 4, 2018, in Brno, Czech Republic.
The recording process has been meticulously documented on social media. On February 3, guitarist Björn Gelotte shared a studio video with the simple caption "XV," the Roman numeral for 15, clearly indicating the album’s sequential number. On the same day, Mike Plotnikoff posted a photo of Jon Rice’s drum kit in the studio, accompanied by the caption: "Drums have begun @inflames @bgelotte @andersfridn @jon.charn.rice @howardbenson @joerickardproductions @decarli_editor @iansthunder @sunsetsoundrecorders #sunsetsound #studio2 #makinghits." This post not only confirmed the commencement of drum recordings but also tagged key personnel involved, including Benson and Rickard (who handled mixing duties on "Foregone"), hinting at a potential continuation of their collaboration or at least a shared understanding of the production lineage. The mention of Sunset Sound Recorders, a legendary Los Angeles studio with a storied history in music production, further elevates the anticipation for the album’s sonic quality.
"Foregone" and the Current Touring Cycle
IN FLAMES is currently on an extensive tour supporting their latest studio album, "Foregone," released in February 2023 via Nuclear Blast. Described in a press release as an album that "combines the greatest aggressive, metallic, and melodic strengths of their landmark records with the seasoned songwriting of their postmodern era," "Foregone" represented a significant chapter for the band. It was the second album featuring bassist Bryce Paul and drummer Tanner Wayne, and the first with guitarist Chris Broderick, a former member of Megadeth. The production of "Foregone" also involved Howard Benson and Mike Plotnikoff, with Joe Rickard, who had previously played drums for IN FLAMES from 2016 to 2019, handling the mixing.
The band has also experienced a recent change in its bass section. In 2023, the band parted ways with bassist Bryce Paul, who was succeeded by Liam Wilson, known for his work with The Dillinger Escape Plan. Wilson made his live debut with IN FLAMES on June 7, 2023, at the Release Athens festival in Athens, Greece. This period of touring and the anticipation for new material create a dynamic backdrop for the band’s ongoing narrative in the heavy metal landscape.
The continued collaboration with Howard Benson and Mike Plotnikoff, coupled with the fresh energy of Jon Rice behind the drum kit, positions IN FLAMES for another significant contribution to their extensive discography. The band’s ability to consistently evolve while remaining true to their core identity has solidified their status as titans of the metal genre, and the upcoming fifteenth studio album is poised to be a testament to their enduring creative fire. The interview at Wacken Open Air serves not only as a progress report but as a reaffirmation of the band’s passion, their artistic philosophy, and their deep connection with the global metal community. The anticipation for new music, especially from a band with such a rich legacy and a clear vision for the future, is palpable within the festival grounds and beyond.
