IN FLAMES Introduce New Drummer JOE RICKARD; Video Available

After the departure of their longtime friend and drummer Daniel Svensson, the Swedish heavy music institution In Flames was looking for a new rhythm master – now their search is finally over and the new fifth member of the band is Joe Rickard

The band has issued the following statement: 

“As you know — our longtime drummer, friend, and brother that is the almighty Daniel Svensson has left In Flames to pursue other dreams. He is still with us in spirit when we write our music, in our lives, and someone whom we will cherish forever. We are truly grateful for the nearly 20 years that Daniel devoted to In Flames. Because of each other, we’ve grown exponentially as musicians and brothers. Our 12th studio album is the first we will release without Daniel since 1998, so entering the studio this time around was a bittersweet moment. At the time, we didn’t know who could even replace him, and making new music without him felt strange. We were missing a piece of In Flames.”
 
“From February to April of 2016 we recorded our newest album, Battles, with legendary producer Howard Benson. Howard and his team pushed our boundaries and kept our energy high every day while navigating us through a new process. Suddenly, we felt at home. Howard introduced us to one of his trusted and so talented studio drummers, Joe Rickard. Joe had formerly been a member of Grammy nominated RED, toured with numerous bands such as Islander and RED, and has played drums on many successful albums for artists such as RED, Vamps, Starset, Brian ‘Head’ Welch  and our very own Battles. Joe had such natural talent behind the kit; it seemed effortless. Once we witnessed him laying down drums to our own songs with parts we couldn’t have imagined better ourselves — we knew we had to have him join In Flames.  

During nearly two months recording in Los Angeles with Howard Benson, Joe quickly became not only a musician that we highly respected, but also a friend. We are proud and excited to finally announce that Joe Rickard will be taking over the drums for In Flames. We feel by adding such a talented and pure musician to our band and brotherhood that we are doing Daniel a great justice in ensuring his hard work and talent will continue on.
 
Daniel, thank you for your incredible talent and time dedicated to this band and family that is In Flames. We are so honored to have had the privilege of playing music with you all of these years and we couldn’t have achieved so much without you.
 
Jesterheads, please welcome Joe Rickard to In Flames and make him feel welcome! We will see you all out on the road very soon.”

Meet Joe in this newest webisode, where he speaks about his first meeting with In Flames and gives a little guided tour through the studio where Battles was recorded:

In Flames, have released a lyric video for “The Truth”, a track from their twelfth full-length studio album, Battles, out November 11th via Eleven Seven Music in North America and Nuclear Blast globally excluding North America.

Recorded in Los Angeles, the 15-track album sees the band taking a new approach while staying true to their vision and encompassing their unique, signature sound. In Flames brought in Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson (Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance, The Used) as a collaborator on Battles, creating an album that speaks to all In Flames fans alike.

“I think being in California really affected this album in the sense that we had a studio in the house that we were staying at and the vibe was really relaxed which lent itself to productivity,” says vocalist Anders Fridén. “It really helped having a producer who could make us focus on what we needed to accomplish and keep us on track,” he adds. “This was a very new approach for us because we’ve never let anyone else in the way we did with Howard,” says guitarist Björn Gelotte.

Trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Trailer #3:

“The End” lyric video:

“The Truth”:

Following the release of Battles, In Flames will be performing a string of dates in the UK alongside Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed.

Tour dates:

November
6 – Tokyo, Japan – Knotfest Japan
12 – Orlando, FL – Kink Festival

January (with Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed)
10 – Glasgow, UK – The SSE Hydro
12 – Newcastle, UK – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
13 – Birmingham, UK – Birmingham Genting Arena
15 – Sheffield, UK – Sheffield Arena
16 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Arena
18 – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
19 – Cardiff, Wales, UK – Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
21 – London, UK – Peninsula Square O2 Arena