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Swedish/American metal giants In Flames have officially entered a Los Angeles studio to begin recording their fifteenth studio album.
The band is once again teaming up with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson (Motörhead, Body Count, Sepultura) alongside longtime collaborator engineer Mike Plotnikoff. In Flames have worked with Benson consistently since their 2016 album Battles, a partnership that has continued through their most recent release, Foregone in 2023.
This upcoming record will also mark a major milestone for the group, as it will be the first In Flames studio album to feature drummer Jon Rice, who has been touring with the band since May 2025. Rice brings a formidable résumé, having previously played with Behemoth, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, The Red Chord, Job For A Cowboy, and Scorpion Child.
On Tuesday, February 3, guitarist Björn Gelotte teased the start of the sessions by posting a short studio video on the band’s social media, simply captioned “XV” — the Roman numeral for 15 — confirming the album’s place in the band’s extensive catalog.
That same day, Mike Plotnikoff shared a photo of Rice‘s drum kit set up in the studio, writing: “Drums have begun @inflames @bgelotte @andersfridn @jon.charn.rice @howardbenson @joerickardproductions @decarli_editor @iansthunder @sunsetsoundrecorders #sunsetsound #studio2 #makinghits”
The new album will serve as the follow-up to Foregone and comes after the band parted ways with drummer Tanner Wayne in May 2025, ending his seven-year tenure with In Flames.
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