In Flames has always been a band that I have loved. I remember seeing them years ago at Club Laga in Pittsburgh and was blown away. In Flames released their latest album I, The Mask on March 1st via Nuclear Blast.

Empire Extreme got to talk to singer Anders Fridén about the album and the longevity of being in a metal band.

EE: Hows the fan response been since the album has dropped?

Anders: When we are playing live it’s going really well, people are singing along to the lyrics.

EE: How was recording this album compared to the others?

Anders: we worked with the same team as we did for Battles, and we mixed it, we got a house and worked on the album. I think we have something that we are all happy about. I really enjoy working in the studio and with the team that we have right now.

EE: What’s been your favorite album so far?

Anders: I love them all, it’s hard to choose. The Jester Race was the first album for me, Every album is a step forward to something, I don’t know where we are heading but it’s forward.

EE: Yeah my favorite album was Reroute to Remain, it was the first album I’ve heard from you guys and the first time seeing you play live.

Anders: Yeah that’s usually how it goes, the first one you listen to, it’s hard to compete with that, depending on which album was your first, tends to be your favorite one. I’m just glad that fans love one album, it’s awesome.

EE: Do you still get a lot of questions about cutting off your dreads?

Anders: Ya, it’s always funny to me what people think is important. It doesn’t really matter, my brain and my heart wasn’t in my dreads.

EE: If you could go on a Dream tour, who would you want to play with?

Anders: I would love to play with Nine Inch Nails, I don’t have that would work but I would love it. I would love to tour with Scorpions also, they are one of the first hard rock bands I’ve listened to.

EE: If you could bring back one dead musician who would it be?

Anders: Elvis would be cool (laughs)

When In Flames played Baltimore last it with Within Temptation they killed it on stage. Anders has always been fun to watch on stage and the band always puts on a hell of a show. I can’t wait to see them come back around again and listen to the new stuff whenever that is.

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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