IN FLAMES singer Anders Fridén spoke to the "Mike James Rock Show" about the making of the band's latest album, "I, The Mask". Released this past March, the disc was recorded at West Valley Recording Studios in Woodland Hills, California with producer Howard Benson, who also worked on 2016's "Battles". "When we go in and record an album, we don't really think that much," Anders said (see video below). "It's just whatever happens, happens — sort of. We don't have any great strategies or whatever. The only thing we said about this album was, 'Bring the guitar a little bit more in the front.' I mean, 'Battles' was a great album, and I still feel great about it, but it was a little bit laid back when it came to the production. So we wanted to have more heaviness and more of the 'oomph,' if you know what I mean." Fridén also talked about IN FLAMES' musical evolution, which has seen him and his bandmates adopting a more alternative metal sound after starting out as melodic death metal act. "We don't write on the road, so there's always years in between when we create the music," he said. "So I think all the albums have their own unique sound or unique touch. They still have the IN FLAMES trademark — the melodies, the aggression and so on. They're all important. They happened for a reason. I've been part of 12 of those albums, so it feels pretty cool, when you think about it. When you leave the bubble and look into your career… I never thought I would be part of a band that did 12, 13 albums." IN FLAMES guitarist Niclas Engelin sitting out the band's spring and summer European tour dates to focus on "personal matters." Filling in for him once again is former MEGADETH and current ACT OF DEFIANCE guitarist Chris Broderick. Broderick previously stepped in for Engelin during IN FLAMES' North American shows in February and March. Earlier this year, IN FLAMES completed separate North American tours with ALL THAT REMAINS and WITHIN TEMPTATION.
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