A band’s personal and professional fortunes don’t always mirror each other. Just ask In Flames. In the late ’90s, on the eve of a new century, the Swedes were riding a tidal wave of momentum, having released a trio of albums – The Jester Race (1996), Whoracle (1997), and Colony (1999) – that married conceptual ambition to melodic death metal. Logistically, In Flames were operating at the peak of their powers, establishing the ‘classic’ line-up that would remain until 2010: drummer Björn Gelotte cementing the move to guitar he made on Colony – replaced behind the kit by Daniel Svensson – and Peter Iwers succeeding Johan Larsson on bass. Things weren’t going swimmingly for Anders Fridén, though. In Flames’ frontman was dealing with the end of a long-term relationship, which had brought ...
