| Jesper Strömblad | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad[1] |
| Born | November 28, 1972 Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Genres | Melodic death metal, death metal, thrash metal, power metal, heavy metal, alternative metal |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, drums, keyboards, bass, Hammond organ |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Nuclear Blast, Ferret Music, Wrong Again, Regain |
| Associated acts | In Flames, Dimension Zero, HammerFall, Sinergy, Ceremonial Oath, All Ends |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson Explorer | |
Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad (born November 28, 1972) is a Swedish musician who is currently the guitarist for the bands Dimension Zero & The Resistance. He is known most as founder and former guitarist/drummer/keyboardist of the Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames, guitarist of the band Sinergy, bassist of Ceremonial Oath and drummer of HammerFall.
In March 2004, Jesper (along with Björn Gelotte) were both ranked #70 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of all time by Guitar World.[2]
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Strömblad began playing music at age 4, with a violin he played until age 12,[3] when he no longer considered the violin a 'cool' instrument to play and began playing guitar instead.[3]
He is known to be an avid World of Warcraft player, even wearing a "WoW" t-shirt on stage at times. He also plays a guitar imprinted with the logo for the Horde faction from World of Warcraft as can be seen in this picture: Jesper Strömblad's WoW guitar
On 3 February 2009, the band's website inflames.com announced that Jesper would not be participating in the Australia/South America/Japan tour in order to get treatment for his alcohol abuse problems. Niklas Engelin was announced as his replacement for the tour.
On February 12, 2010, Jesper announced that he was leaving In Flames permanently for personal problems and health issues.
Jesper's comment on the situation was:
I have decided it is best for me to leave In Flames and to quit the band permanently.The last 17 years have been a blast, and I am proud to have been part of this great journey, with the most talented and amazing people anyone can wish to have the privilege to work with.
I’m also the luckiest guy in the world, to have the BEST fans in the world, who have been supporting me during my difficult times. It means the world to me, and I’m determined to fight and defeat my demons once and for all.... and by the help from you guys, I’m on my way.
I’m far from done with music, metal, or whatever my direction is taking me, so be sure to hear from me in the future.
… May the Force be with you![4][5]—Jesper Strömblad
Strömblad is known for having played in and been a founding member of a series of bands and side projects. Strömblad is currently the guitarist (formerly bassist) of Dimension Zero, a side project which he started with former In Flames guitarist Glenn Ljungström. Strömblad is also currently a member of another side project he started called All Ends, for which he and his In Flames bandmate Björn Gelotte both write the music. Neither plans to play in the side project due to In Flames' demanding schedule, but they continue to aid in writing songs for the band to play. He is also working on a side project together with Roland Johansson, former singer of the Swedish metal band Sonic Syndicate although as of January 2011 there has been no sign of any official release from the two.[6]
He has formed a new band called The Resistance along side with fellow former In Flames guitarist Glenn Ljungström, former vocalist for The Haunted Marco Aro, Alex Losbäck Holstad of Despite, and Chris Barkensjö of Carnal Forge.
With In Flames
With Dimension Zero
With Ceremonial Oath
With Sinergy
Strömblad currently uses Gibson guitars. Before the release of Reroute to Remain, Jesper was an endorser of ESP using his signature variant of the EX series until he switched to Gibson guitars with his fellow bandmate Björn Gelotte. He switched to Gibson for the release of Reroute To Remain, but returned to ESP for the recording of Soundtrack To Your Escape. Strömblad has now returned to Gibson since the release of Come Clarity. Jesper uses the Gibson Flying V and Explorer Voodoo models, as well as some Gibson Gothic Explorer II's.
Jesper is known for using the Peavey 5150/6505 amp.[5] Strömblad also uses a Line 6 rack-mounted POD just like Gelotte.[5]
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