In 2010, founding guitarist Jesper Strömblad left In Flames. The band suggested that alcohol was the reason behind his departure, stating that they were behind him 100% on his way to recovery. The fact that he’d checked into rehab while he was in the band and missed some shows probably played into it, but in a post on his Facebook page in response to whether he’d ever return to the band, he claims that alcohol was only a small part of why he departed the band in the first place:
Will I ever return to In Flames? No one never knows what the future brings,but the chances are slim as they embarked on a different musical journey,they have a solid lineup and ‘I’m on a totally different path in life right now. I would never go into details why I quit, but there is always one official story and there is the other……Alcohol is a quite small part of it. That can also answer the next question, what do I think of their new stuff. Listen to The Resistance and that explains a bit of it . We simply went different directions. I need to stand behind and feel inspired with what I do 100%, I owe it to the fans and obviously the band. All respect to In Flames and their new approach, but for me the band was a guitar/riffbased melodeathband. And Its not anymore, but still amazing musicianship and I don’t think its wrong.But its not the vision I had when we started out. But still All respect to them and the huge success,highly deserved! So please, I wish, change the comment from “come back to IF”, to “welcome Niklas Engelin”, who is one of the nicest talented guys, and the one who fill my shoes perfect, and brings back an amazing energy live and personally! So there you have it.
Seems like he’s on good terms with the band, and has been busy with his own band, The Resistance, with fellow former In Flames member Glenn Ljungstrom and The Haunted’s Marco Aro. Hopefully he’s in a good place as far as his health as well.
[via Metal Sucks]
