In Flames In Klash Of The Titans

In what promises to be a momentous occasion for heavy metal fans down under, two legendary bands, IN FLAMES and KREATOR, embark on a colossal “Klash of the Titans” co-headline tour in February 2024. This colossal event promises to deliver unforgettable performances, showcasing the very best of European metal to fans across the continent.

In Flames, have carved a unique path with their melodic death metal sound. Their ability to blend melody and aggression has made them trailblazers in the genre. With a history of groundbreaking albums and anthemic hits, In Flames will deliver an emotionally charged and musically intricate performance. Chris Broderick from In Flames talks to Hi Fi Way about the tour.

Is the band ready and raring to go to get in to 2024?
We’re jumping right in, probably the first time we have toured this early in the new year. Usually I can count on, being in LA, we have the NAMM show (National Association of Music Merchants) which is a pretty big show where the industry goes to show off new instruments and bring in a bunch of artists. Typically, I’m always around for the that and we’re hitting the ground running this time around and we are starting early. I won’t even be able to make that and quite honestly I’m ok with that.

Would you have predicted being back in Australia within a year?
To me it is an awesome thing because it has been a long time since we have been in Australia prior to that. That was one thing that Knotfest had pulled us in to was the idea that we need to be down here more often. When we saw how in to it people were and how much they enjoy metal we need to make this a regular route to include in our tour schedule.

How much of a highlight was playing Knotfest? Were you surprised with how big it was when you got here?
Yes I was, the size of the festival I don’t think I’ve played one this large in Australia. Again, to me the size of the venue doesn’t really matter, it’s the enthusiasm of the crowd. You guys really brought it! How could we not come back here again?

Touring with Kreator must be a huge deal as well and there must be a lot of excitement about that?
Always, for me I think any band that dedicates themselves to a life of touring at any level they deserve a lot of credit because it isn’t an easy thing to do at any level. They have been at it for a long time, I can’t wait to meet them. I don’t personally know them, I’ve played festivals with them but never toured with them.

Is the focus for the tour mostly on new album Forgone?
That’s the main thing, not necessarily any particular focus on any one CD. It hasn’t been that way since I’ve played with them but I do know that we are adding a bunch material we haven’t played live since the time I started touring with them. That’s pretty cool, the sets are going to be varied. If you looked at shows we were playing at the end of 2023 and they are going to play this, this and this you could be very well be wrong.

Have you been happy with the fan reaction to the new album?
Yes, it has been really well received and we want to make sure that we represent that CD really well. I think we’ll have a few surprises there as well.

How was the process of making that album? Did it throw up the usual challenges that comes with making an album?
The way it happened for me was like being slapped in the face without even realising it because it happened so quick. I’m so used to that when you make a new CD the first thing is that we should start writing then start coming up with ideas. Then we start demoing then you get together and write the finals and sit on it to think a bit about the arrangements. Then you get together and record the finals in the studio and finish it with the solos and everything. For my part, Björn and Anders had come back to LA which is where they like to write, and they had been working for two weeks. I met with Björn and within a week let’s throw some solos down. Over the course of two days, three days maybe I recorded all the solos I played on the CD. It was like, what’s happening here?

Do you think that might be the blueprint for the next album?
I think “Forgone” is a good indicator where we are going at the moment. We are thinking about new material, working on it, I don’t want to make any statements that won’t hold true about something that hasn’t been written yet, right?

Have the personnel changes helped keep things fresh and changing up the band dynamic?
I think it does all those things, it will evolve the sound and even a different player such as Liam playing with his fingers as opposed to a pick, the way he attacks the strings is different. The feel that you have for the way you phrase things on your instrument is different. The main thing is that kind of stuff happens typically out of necessity. In Liam’s case he came in because Bryce decided it will be best for his family life if he didn’t tour so much. It’s one of those things that it is both good and bad. Bryce is a great dude and a great musician and so is Liam. You have to have someone come in and do the same job as well as Bryce did. It is fresh as it is somebody new but at the same time that wasn’t the reason why changes were made.

Will there be more new music in 2024?
I got home off tour December 18 and definitely wanted a break, took a little bit of time off and celebrated the holidays. No we are talking about the set list for Australia and thinking about how that’s going to roll. There’s also talk about how we want to pursue the next recording idea. We are doing a lot touring this year but also looking at the recording of the next set of songs coming up. We are not lying down by any stretch of the imagination.

Interview By Rob Lyon

Catch In Flames on tour with Kreator next month. Tickets from Metropolis Touring…