Something must be in the water in Sweden—particularly in Gothenburg, where a bunch of teens helped create a new style of heavy music in the mid-1990s. Miracle of miracles, the vocalists for many if not most of the bands responsible for cooking up “Swedish melodic death metal” are still alive. At the same time, they share a pesky personality trait: restlessness. Each of the frontmen for Dark Tranquillity (Mikael Stanne), At the Gates (Tomas Lindberg) and In Flames (Anders Fridén) are either 50 or 51 years old. Yet they continue to seemingly spend all their free time with their families and side projects.
Inauspiciously Suspicious
Among these three Swedish horse riders of the Apocalypse, Fridén boasts the fewest number of bands outside his principal one, In Flames. He previously served as the vocalist for at least three other side projects, including Passenger, Septic Broiler, and Ceremonial Oath—but, alas, he is no longer a member of most of them. The exceptions, of course, are In Flames, as well as If Anything, Suspicious. Due to Fridén’s relative paucity of projects, fans will be delighted to know that the sophomore record by his ambient/electronic solo project, If Anything, Suspicious, is on its way.
Almost All Done—Yet Still Delayed
“We’re pretty much finished with (the) second album,” he reveals to New Noise in a video-conference interview conducted in late July. While practically every heavy-media outlet under the sun reported in April that the yet-untitled record would street in September, Fridén confirms a delay in its release—even though it’s all but polished off. “It’s going to be released, hopefully early next year,” he confesses.
That said, Fridén fans might not have to bite their fingernails for however many months stand between now and the eventual release of the new LP by If Anything, Suspicious.
“I have another project with another friend, (and it) is also more (of the) electronic (variety),” he discloses to New Noise, without sharing any more information about the apparent two-person project.
Anders Fridén’s Pivot from Metal to Electronic Music
COVID is to blame—or thank, depending on your point of view—for Fridén’s two current affairs that aren’t named In Flames. He spent lockdown building a recording studio in his house and educating himself on how to play piano, synths, and programming.
“I started making more electronic music, ambient music (in my new home studio),” Fridén claims. And because of COVID restrictions, it made all the sense in the world for him to become accustomed to playing by himself.
Fridén’s focus on his new projects stands in sharp contrast to Stanne’s extracurricular activities. The Dark Tranquillity singer has three other active bands, the most popular being The Halo Effect. Founded by ex-In Flames guitarist Niclas Engelin in 2019, most songs on the band’s 2022 debut, Days of the Lost, could be easily mistaken for mid-’90s-era In Flames.
Fridén Shares Thoughts—Well, Some of Them—About Halo Effect
During New Noise’s conversation with Anders Fridén, he doesn’t disparage any of his friends, former bandmates or colleagues. But when we ask him about side projects, he had plenty to say.
“I don’t want to play in another metal band that kind of sounds like In Flames,” Fridén insists, all but certainly referring to the Halo Effect. “I want to do something that is completely different.”
When further pressed about his feelings about the Halo Effect, which has a second studio album slated for release sometime next year, Fridén shares some additional thoughts.
“I don’t really have any opinion (about the Halo Effect,)” he claims. “I haven’t really listened (to the Stanne side project), to be honest. From what I hear, it doesn’t sound as much (like) In Flames as it does Dark Tranquillity. I guess a lot of that had to do with Michael’s vocals, not to take away anything from the guys who write the music and write the guitar (parts). They’re really good at what they do. And, you know, it is what it is. But … I don’t really have an opinion.”
Follow In Flames on Instagram, Facebook and X. Snag a copy of the digital bonus edition of In Flames’ newest album, Foregone, here. Check back soon for the long-form interview New Noise conducted with Anders Fridén late last month. In the meantime, tide yourself over with an equally comprehensive conversation with In Flames’ other longest-serving band member, lead guitarist, Björn Gelotte.
Photo courtesy of Andres Friden
