Joe Rickard, who previously played in a band called Red, has been working in LA for the last couple of years as session drummer. You can learn more about Joe in the newest webisode, where he speaks about his first meeting with In Flames, and gives a guided tour through the studio where upcoming album 'Battles' was recorded:

Daniel joined In Flames in 1998 to take the position as drummer when guitarist Björn Gelotte switched from drums to guitars. The first studioalbum Daniel appeared on was 'Colony'.

In Flames has issued the following statement about the line-up change:

"Daniel Svensson has left our band to pursue other dreams. (...) We are truly grateful for the nearly 20 years that Daniel devoted to In Flames. Because of each other, we’ve grown exponentially as musicians and brothers. Our 12th studio album is the first we will release without Daniel since 1998, so entering the studio this time around was a bittersweet moment."

But, of course, the show must go on and now the band is back with a new man behind the drumkit, who first joined the band while they recorded the album 'Battles'.