Swedish metal titans In Flames have been around for over a decade and much to the crowd’s delight graced the Main Stage at this year’s Ozzfest. This is the first year that the band have played at Ozzfest, and already they are living up to their reputation as metal heavyweights by playing on the same stage as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Slipknot. In Flames drummer, Daniel Svensson speaks about what it’s like to be one of the main stage bands that the second stage metal younglings aspire to.

“It’s been weird. It’s not like a regular tour that we regularly do. I mean, it’s a festival tour. In Europe we have a different festival culture, this is like one of those festivals but it’s like an ambulating festival. It’s cool though, but it’s like that movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. Where you wake up every morning, and everything’s the same! But it’s all-good. We have a great time.”

Ozzfest is just one of many tours that In Flames have embarked on over their illustrious thirteen year career. They are now considered to be the forefront of Swedish metal and role models to many metal younglings out there. It is no wonder that they are playing on the main stage along side the headlining acts of this year’s tour. But even though it seems more impressive to play on the main stage, Svensson sees it as a disadvantage when it comes to connecting with the kids.

“When we play on the main stage usually it’s in big amphitheatres and the seats are very expensive and the people who go there they just want to see Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath, and the kids have lawn tickets and that’s far behind, like 100 metres away. So there’s really no energy when we play, but at the second stage you see, a cloud of dust everywhere, and everyone was moshing around. That’s what I miss playing on the big stage. Smaller venues you can feel the energy. It’s a give and take from the audience and you don’t really get that when you play on the big stage.”

Not only is the main difference between main stage and second stage to do with the crowd and difference in venue, it seems the main stage bands don’t really get to party the same way as some of the second stage bands do.

“I guess the parties are more wild over at the second stage, and I haven’t really been there. You can say that the main stage bands are more mature; you’ve got Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Mudvayne, and us. We usually hang out with Mudvayne and Shadows Fall, drinking lots but it’s more of a social drinking party.”

It’s surprising to hear that the main stagers are less party people than the younger second stage acts. However, being a younger band on the main stage does mean they get noticed by the top of metal pecking order.

“Bill Ward the drummer from Black Sabbath turned out to be a huge In Flames fan. So we meet him sometimes to talk and he watches our shows and stuff and that’s pretty wired. That’s wrong. I mean I should be a fan of him not the other way around!”