In Flames reveal future hopes

Swedish metallers In Flames say signing with Sony was a move which could expand their fan base.

The band release their 11th album Siren Charms via Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, on September 9 and guitarist Bjorn Gelotte is delighted with the deal.

He tells RockNLive: “When we started recording, we didn’t have a label. So when it came to thinking about having the album released, we had the possibility of having people listen to what we were doing.

“Sony were really interested. They have lots of experience and they have a different approach to certain things.”

And the guitarist believes In Flames have a broad appeal that extends beyond heavy metal.

He says: “We have an album and music that is accessible to more than just the metal scene. This might be a way to combine forces and at least get people to hear about what we’re doing.”

The album was recorded at Hansa studios in Germany, and while the guitarist was skeptical when vocalist Anders Friden suggested the location, he says the move paid off and gave Siren Charms a “melancholic vibe.”

He tells ARTISTdirect: “So many classic albums have come from there. Anders felt he could get inspired or something might rub off on the band. He was certain it was important for us to do that.

“David Bowie, U2 and Depeche Mode have recorded there but I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to change anything. Listening back to it now, it did. There’s a certain melancholic vibe to the album that I’m note sure would’ve happened anywhere else.”

Along with the album release, In Flames head out on European tour in October, which includes three UK dates.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.