Nita Strauss has made a name for herself as one of the most electrifying guitarists in modern rock and metal. Having worked with Alice Cooper, Angel Vivaldi, and Lzzy Hale, she’s no stranger to legendary influences.
However, in a recent Guitar World interview (posted to YouTube on March 1), Strauss revealed that one band holds a special place in her heart: Swedish melodic death metal giants In Flames.
To her, In Flames is as important as The Beatles are to mainstream music fans.
Why Nita Strauss Loves In Flames So Much
During her interview, Strauss discussed five guitar riffs that changed her life. Among tracks from Megadeth (“Trust”), Alice Cooper (“Poison”), Iron Maiden (“The Trooper”), and Ozzy Osbourne (“Crazy Train”), she also included “Bullet Ride” from In Flames’ 2000 album Clayman.
“The next riff is by a band that I consider to be my Beatles, and that is Sweden’s own In Flames,” she said before playing the track.
Strauss explained that Swedish melodic death metal had a major influence on her early development as a guitarist, particularly the chord inversions and unique harmonies used by bands like In Flames.
“When I was growing up and getting into heavy music, I was always really drawn by these sort of inversions and chords that Swedish melodic death metal bands used,” she said.
She went on to praise the dramatic chord shifts, pedal tones, and tension-building notes in “Bullet Ride.”
“I just think it’s so cool,” she reflected after nailing the riff.
More About In Flames and “Bullet Ride”
“Bullet Ride” kicks off Clayman, an album widely considered one of In Flames’ greatest releases. The song itself remains a fan favorite, ranking as their 15th most played track live, with nearly 500 performances since its debut at Rockwave Festival in 2000 (per setlist.fm).
Clayman followed the band’s critically acclaimed trilogy of albums:
- 1996 – The Jester Race
- 1997 – Whoracle
- 1999 – Colony
While Clayman retained In Flames’ signature melodic death metal sound, it also introduced cleaner vocals and synth elements, hinting at the band’s later evolution.
After Clayman, In Flames shifted towards alternative metal with 2002’s Reroute to Remain, a move that divided fans but expanded their global reach.