In 1999, the new line-up recorded and released the band's fourth studio album, Colony. However, by the end of that tour in 1998, Engelin quit In Flames, so the band decided to switch Gelotte from his position as drummer to guitarist, and they recruited Daniel Svensson to take over as drummer.Ĭolony, Clayman & The Tokyo Showdown (1999–2001) With the new line-up, In Flames then proceeded with a European tour and played their first two shows in Japan. After the tour both Engelin and Iwers were asked to join the band as permanent members, to which they agreed. Niklas Engelin and Peter Iwers were recruited to fill in the vacant spots on guitar and bass respectively, during a tour with Dimmu Borgir. Ljungström and Larsson unexpectedly announced that they were leaving In Flames after the album was recorded. Once again Gelotte provided lead and acoustic guitars for the album. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman and co-produced by Nordström. In 1997, In Flames recorded and released their third studio album, Whoracle. Afterwards, In Flames toured with Samael, Grip Inc., and Kreator. Gelotte also provided some lead and acoustic guitars for the album. This album was recorded once again in Studio Fredman, but unlike previous albums, it was co-produced by the studio's owner, Fredrik Nordström. That same year, the new line up recorded and released the band's second studio album, The Jester Race. In 1995, In Flames became tired of using session musicians to record an album or to do live shows, so the trio asked Björn Gelotte to join the band as the full-time drummer, and 6 months later asked Anders Fridén to join the band as the full-time vocalist. Subterranean garnered much attention and led the band to acquire a record deal with Nuclear Blast. In 1994, the band covered the song "Eye of the Beholder" for the Metallica tribute album Metal Militia - A Tribute to Metallica. In Flames still did not have a vocalist yet, so session vocals were provided this time by Henke Forss. In 1994, Lunar Strain was released.ĭuring 1994, In Flames recorded and self-produced their first EP, Subterranean, in Studio Fredman. Since In Flames did not have a vocalist yet, Strömblad asked Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity to provide session vocals.
That same year, Strömblad recruited Glenn Ljungström on guitar and Johan Larsson on bass guitar to form the first official In Flames line-up.ĭuring 1993, In Flames wrote, recorded, and self-produced their debut studio album, Lunar Strain, in Studio Fredman. In 1993, Strömblad decided to quit Ceremonial Oath due to musical difference, and began focusing more on In Flames. His purpose was to write songs with a more melodic musical direction, something which he was not allowed to do in Ceremonial Oath.
In Flames was founded in 1990 by Jesper Strömblad as a side project from his then-current death metal band, Ceremonial Oath.