New album Foregone out February 2023

[DE4life]

I have to admit I had totally forgotten who their new bassist was.

Truth is it doesn't really matter. They are indeed just hired guns for the most part, although I think Chris does have more of a hand in penning the solos nowadays. Otherwise though direction of the band remains firmly in Howard and Anders grasp, with Bjorn working on the creative direction they give him.

 

[eochaid]

Because only Anders and Bjorn are real members of the band. The rest of them are there just to fill numbers.

 

[DE4life]

Based on interviews Bjorn is more like a permanent junior band member. His ideas get used if Anders approves, and binned if not. Also sometimes Anders just changes stuff without telling Bjorn. Don't think I've read about it ever happening the other way around. Would love to see Anders' reaction if Bjorn and producer said "yeah to be honest we weren't feeling your vocals, so we removed them and now it's just an instrumental".

Bjorn's response to such things (Anders trashing his Florida death metal idea on SC, adding vocals to metaphor) is always "but actually how Anders wanted it was better!" - don't think Anders would say the same if the roles were reversed.

 

[Xpyro125]

I have to admit I had totally forgotten who their new bassist was.

Same here, I had to look him up and specify that he is the new bassist for my post. I’m likely not going to remember their next drummer unless if it’s someone phenomenal too.

I remember Chris pretty well because his guitarwork in Foregone was actually worth listening to. I don’t remember a ton of Björn’s melodies or riffs off the album anymore, but Chris’ soloing left a wonderful impression on me. How long you guys think until he’s out of the band?

 

[Moonshield_]

I'll be witnessing IF with their new drummer in one week exactly at Mystic Festival (PL). 11pm to 12:30 am.

I'm hoping for a good setlist but I just know they are going to play the boring ones like this time at Hellfest 2017 where they dared to performed Here Until Forever, The Truth, All for me & Paralyzed within the same show (in addition to starting the concert with Wallflower, which isn't the best choice to motivate a crowd when it's late in the night).

No need to add that the "good ones" were their bunch of over played songs being Cloud Connected, OFTW, Take this Life... BUT, it was the only time I've seen The Jester's Dance followed by Moonshield so it wasn't entirely a waste of time.
Even though such songs don't deserved to be mixed with the first three ones I mentionned above.

PS : I hope Bjorn will have his hair back, does anyone know why he chose the bald style ?

 

[Moonshield_]

New drummer :

 

[ThePhobiac]

Two arms, at least one leg, uses sticks... I think we all know who it is.

 

[drawntoblack]

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES have tapped UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS drummer Jon Rice for their spring/summer 2025 European tour. Rice has stepped in following the recent departure of IN FLAMES' drummer of the past seven years, Tanner Wayne.

 

[DE4life]

PS : I hope Bjorn will have his hair back, does anyone know why he chose the bald style ?

Usually it's because of hair loss and not wanting to rock a skullet. If so then fair play to Bjorn for taking the bull by the proverbial horns and chopping it off before it started looking weird.

Could also be that he got bored of the upkeep of long hair, got it cut short and remembered how nice it was to not have to spend more than 15 minutes on hair from shower to ready-to-go. Been there myself, and it's kinda liberating (albeit something you've typically imposed on yourself).

His Captain Caveman look was undoubtedly iconic, though. In Flames at their peak along with Leinad, dreadlock Anders, long-haired Peter and... well, Jesper looking the same as always. The GOATs.

 

[DE4life]

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES have tapped UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS drummer Jon Rice for their spring/summer 2025 European tour. Rice has stepped in following the recent departure of IN FLAMES' drummer of the past seven years, Tanner Wayne.

37 so a bit younger than I'd expect (younger than me, so I'm not gonna call him old). Does tick the box of being a US musician, of course. That seems to be the only nationality they hire from these days. I assume because of the Benson connection.

The guy seems to be the very definition of a hired gun though. Appears to mostly help bands out live or in-studio when session musicians are needed, so seems unlikely he'll become a permanent member.

With that said, do they need a permanent drummer or bassist? These people are literally just there as tools to enable the Anders & Bjorn show to continue in all its 'glory'. I exclude Chris from this as I see him as more like a special guest member of the band. More of an actual friend as they've known him a while, and they do graciously allow him to actually contribute with some of the solo arrangements and occasional leads.

They could arguably just go with session musicians from here on out and it wouldn't make any difference. Maybe that is what they'll do.

 

[ThePhobiac]

This guy doesn't seem to be part of the Benson sphere, as far as I know -- seems to move in proggier spheres, like Liam Wilson. If IF starts drawing talent from progressive metal, I can definitely live with that. The best-case scenario being that, with such talented members in the band, Anders and Bjorn opt for more daring songwriting and experimentation to keep them engaged. Not guaranteed, but not impossible.

 

[eochaid]

My bet is a House extended cut of 15 minutes of just the chorus.

Then, I cannot see the rest of the members as fillers, and I cannot see the band as a brand to keep Bjorn and Anders being relevant.

 

[drawntoblack]

New drummer will have zero input on anything, Anders doesnt even let other guys choose the setlist.

Random american dudebro who will gig for $100 per day was to be expected, no need to get work visas and bunch of other paperwork.

 

[ThePhobiac]

My bet is a House extended cut of 15 minutes of just the chorus.

This is secretly my hope, but even I have to admit it's unlikely.

 

[Cobra8472]

Such a shame about Tanner actually. Was super skeptical of him in the beginning; but he's great.

I have a sneaking suspicion that he was pushing for some of the more old-school setlists and vibe; but that is rather baseless.
Hopefully that's not the case and it was Broderick or just Anders/Björn themselves.

 

[DE4life]

My guess would be simply that Tanner wanted more creative input, and Anders/Bjorn will never allow that. Essentially the same reason Engelin left. Creative types (of which Tanner definitely seems to be one) are going to eventually become stifled in an environment where they are not allowed to make any significant contributions. It's why IF are probably best just getting in hired guns. Anders has made it clear in numerous interviews that he and Bjorn aren't planning to release their deathgrip on the band's creative output, even though they have realistically put nothing better than average out since 2011.