Anders Fridén

Anders Fridén (born 25 March 1973) is the vocalist/lyricist of the Swedish metal band In Flames. Fridén was also the vocalist of Passenger, a side project.^[2]

Career

Early career

Fridén was originally the vocalist for Dark Tranquillity. He performed on their debut album, Skydancer, but left the band soon after.^[3] Two years later he joined In Flames. Coincidentally Mikael Stanne had left In Flames (being only a session player) and switched from rhythm guitar to lead vocals in Dark Tranquillity, so the two effectively traded places. Fridén was also the lead vocalist for another band known as Ceremonial Oath with In Flames founder Jesper Strömblad.

Anders Fridén with InFlames live on stage at Wacken Open Air 2015

1995-present: In Flames

Fridén started with In Flames on the 1996 album The Jester Race. On the album Whoracle, Niklas Sundin (of Dark Tranquillity) wrote the lyrics following the original synopsis by Fridén. On the 1999 album Colony, Fridén composed the lyrics himself, though Sundin still assisted by translating his lyrics from Swedish to English. His lyrics have evolved from abstract themes such as Occultism: The Necronomicon, and influenced by Aleister Crowley as well astrology and fantasy, to more personal endeavours such as depression and inner struggles.

He is also the vocalist for the band Passenger as a side project, but has stated recently that he now has very little time for the project, and it is on hold.

Fridén also has done guest vocals on the album The Phantom Novels, by the metal band Grievance. He is the lead vocalist on the tracks Atrocity Upon Deceptions, A Devil's Rhyme and The Mask of Sin.

In 2007 Fridén appeared as a guest vocalist on the Japanese bonus track "See the Falling Sky" on Caliban's 2007 album "The Awakening". As well as providing vocals for the track "Dysfunctional Hours" for the 20th anniversary Nuclear Blast Allstars compilation album, Out of the Dark.

His look changed dramatically following the release of In Flames 2002 release Reroute to Remain. His previously clean-shaven look was replaced with a beard, and his long hair was put into dreadlocks. His vocal style has also changed, especially on the past three records. His low-tone, harsh death growl has evolved into a higher pitched scream (done in the fry scream technique), which is now supplemented by clean vocals and layers of backing vocals.

In addition to being a vocalist, Fridén is also a producer, with his most recent efforts being the albums: The Undying Darkness by Caliban in 2006 and Absolute Design by the band Engel in 2007.

He also co-wrote and performed scream vocals on the song "Self vs Self", which appears on the third album of UK/Australian drum and bass band Pendulum alongside his bandmates Björn Gelotte and Peter Iwers.

More recently in the Summer of 2010, Fridén changed his appearance again by making the decision to cut off his dreadlocks which he had grown since the release of Reroute to Remain.

Personal life

Family life

He has a daughter named Agnes and a son named Edwin with his wife Helena Lindsjö. He also has a younger brother named Magnus who is seen in "The Quiet Place" studio recording session.

Hobbies and interests

Fridén has an extensively large DVD collection. His favorite quote is, "The one with the most DVDs when you die, wins."

Fridén is also a fan of alcohol and collects whisky. In an interview with Metal Hammer, he spoke about how over the years he has acquired a taste for fine whisky, and how "it's stupid to get drunk on fine whisky, there's other stuff for that."

He is a supporter of the Swedish football club IFK Göteborg.

Discography

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anders Fridén.

• In Flames official website