When In Flames blasted onto the metal world in the early nineties, few could have predicted the effect that they would have on the future make-up of the genre that they plied their trade in. The influence In Flames have had upon melodic death metal has been felt from the gloomy basements of London tenements to the cluttered bedrooms of Brisbane. The Soundwave Festival in February is the first chance in nearly five years for Australian audiences to view these veterans doing what they do best.

Maybe veteran isn’t the best description. The word conjures up all sorts of images; grizzled returned servicemen, aging footy stars with bung knees and that prostitute you’ve seen hanging out in Brunswick Street for the last four years who looks like she’s been around the traps one too many times. It raises the question: when should a band be described as a veteran outfit? When they release their tenth album? (In Flames have released nine) When two or more members overdose on some form of drugs? (So far, In Flames have had zero). When they suddenly decide that sitar creates better riffs than a guitar? (As of this moment, In Flames’ infatuation with crushing riffs and harmonised melodies looks like it will not be ending anytime soon).

In Flames’ latest release, 2008’s A Sense Of Purpose, had many describing the band in veteran and pioneering terms. Yes, In Flames did help pioneer a style of metal called The Gothenburg Sound and yes, over their eighteen year career they have released nine albums that have not only cemented their status as one of the guiding lights in European metal, but also have changed the course of melodic death metal in the process. The evidence for veteran status is there, but asking Jesper Strömblad about how it feels to be labeled one doesn’t exactly bring about an enthusiastic answer.

“The last few years we’ve been hearing that word (veteran) a lot,” Strömblad says from his home in Sweden. “It still doesn’t sit right with me, but we have been around a while so it’s understandable. But I don’t feel like a veteran at all.”

Since In Flames last toured Australia in 2004, they have won three Grammis awards (Sweden’s answer to The Grammy’s) and gone on to ride atop the Swedish metal mosh pit. It is only natural that Soundwave is a good a chance as any to show our audiences what time and experience has taught them.

“It has been a while, hasn’t it?” says Strömblad. “Playing to our Australian fans is something we’ve been looking forward to in a while. It’s such a shame that the flight takes so long otherwise we’d tour there more often!”

With the sporadic touring cycle of Nordic bands to Australia, who knows when we might see them next? According to Strömblad though, In Flames aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“I’ve had a few ideas for the next album,” he says. “Nothing’s set in stone, but I like what I’m hearing so far.”

IN FLAMES will appear at SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL at RNA Showground’s on Feb 21. Their latest release, A Sense Of Purpose, is out now on Nuclear Blast. www.myspace.com/inflames

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