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Editorials

IN FLAMES HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE

 Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 8:57am by

jerk.jpgThat’s the title of their new album, at least, continuing in the could-be-the-title-of-a-self-help-book vein of Come Clarity. It will be released by Nuclear Blast in Europe on April 4, so I imagine Ferret will have it in U.S. stores a day later.

Okay okay okay: I love In Flames, but does anyone remember The Jerk? And how Steve Martin’s mom tells him his dick is his “special purpose?” That’s what this album title reminds me of. I will never be able to hear this album title without thinking of The Jerk.

And now, I suspect, neither will you.

-AR

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  • Kye

    I’m gunna go out on a limb here and say this is the best album of ’08

    Fuck every other band

    Except…Opeth and Agalloch are releasing new ones next year too

    Still, In Flames own pretty much everyone

  • OPirate

    Wow, that was pretty much the gayest thing I’ve heard in the new year- not including the name of this site. In Flames has been a flaming wreck of homosexuality ever since Reroute to Remain came out. Apox on this new Sense of purpose bullshit. It will just cater to the new horrifyingly grossing needs of those ghastly emotional hard core fucks who think they’re “all that”. That’s right. I went there.

  • OPirate’s Gay Lover

    How could you say such a thing OPirate? In Flames is fucking fire and they own.

    Now let’s go back to having gay sex, you homosexual.

  • NuMallCore Pwns YoMama

    In Flames have a Sense of Purpose because they’re Smart and Strong. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart, cuz I love these guys.

  • Shnaz

    That really is a lame title for an album. Isn’t a sense of purpose what music is all about? I would hope anyone trying to make music in such an extreme business would be defined by a sense of purpose.

    The title is way too obvious, and I personally hate when bands do that anyway. Is anything they’ve released after Clayman really trailblazing? I would say no, but thats just me.

  • fel

    peh, everyone here except for OPirate’s Gay Lover, really needs to develop a decent taste in music – seriously, pull your heads out of your asses.
    -

    Lookin’ forward to this album’s release,
    In fLAMES we fucking trust.

  • M. Prik

    I’ve listened to basically ever In Flames album, and if you ask me each one is kick ass. Sure, their sound is less ‘brutal’, it still has a truly unique sound, and it is still worthy of praise.

    For those of you who are too ‘hard-core’ for anything that appeals to a large group of people, get off your high horse. Just because it isn’t extremely heavy does not mean it sucks.

  • entity

    it is not that we are on a high horse; its the lack of musicianship from reroute onward that bothers me. i understand they want to write music they can play live, but this crap is a complete change of genre, also anders vocals now sound like an eagle getting a c-section. lyrically also shows that they want of being mainstream with issues like person struggle. if you have heard “abnegation” from this album and like the jester race through clayman, this will make you have night terrors

  • Sarah

    It’s not the mainstream aspect that I’m against; I just believe in talent. In flames used to be this amazing musical force, and those who heard it respected and loved them for it. The lyrics were brilliant and the sound was simply awesome.
    However.
    *sigh*
    I respect In Flames for what they were.
    I will stop here as to not offend anyone’s music.
    That is all.

  • M. Prik

    I actualy prefer the Jester’s Race and Whoracle to the later work.
    I just see most of what they do as extremly good.

    Also, they’ve done what Dark Tranquility has done. More keyboards, simpler guitar.

  • Chris KAt

    Hi all! How can i download this album? A Sense Of Purpose – in flames

  • ITF

    It’s the lack of melody and obvious shift towards a metalcore sound. They try to hide it with keyboards and other flashy sounds and claim it as originality (maybe to some extent true..they are swedish after all) but it’s still very bland and obviously commercial. In Flames, especially the earlier stuff, was very emotional and honest melodic metal, now it’s closer to emo – anders might have the most annoying emo metalcore voice ever…IF turned into a blatent stomach churning commercial entity, please don’t compare them the genius of dark tranquillity.

    Whoracle is one of the most perfect metal albums ever though, i’ll give em credit for that.

  • entity

    dark tranquillity is still as strong and aggressive in fiction as they were in haven or the gallery. i’m glad to see other in flames fans that know what they are talking about. most people tell me they the song come clarity after seeing my clayman shirt; no talk about how good clayman is just come clarity.

  • Kemo

    Not gonna lie, this website blows the big ones. Shitty name, and too many self proclaimed music experts. Big shots behind keyboards with egos the size of an average McDonalds customer (240-300 pounders).

  • Condemned

    I’d have to say I’m with Kemo 100%

  • bye bye in flames

    Hi, Firstly I own every In flames and Dark Tranquility album ever. I thought reroute to remain as good but after that they went to shit. My favourate band from the 90′s turned to shit emo to pull in the kids and depressed couples so they can whine together.

    I went a gig last year or year before…In flames and Sepultura. In flames was so shit I walked out! (Sepultura was awesome though!) it was full of people half my age and coupling couples, oh what a jolly time we had at the gig! NOT!

    Come one! Colony, Clayman, Whoreacle, Jester Race, Subterranean and even most of reroute was awesome with one or two off soundtrack getting some praise but thats were it ends! They can make good melodic death metal! Does not sell? Look at Dark Tranquility. Awesome! Gallery is one of the best albums ever and Fiction aint too shabby either. However, In flames are going to be a commercial success now there is a hype about them now. Their art work is Kornish and made for the ‘newbies’ and soft edged wankers that buy shite! but they will die out in a few years when a new trend comes. Just like Nu-metal ect….

    so fare thee well future ass holes! I will miss the guitar solos and heavy ass riffs! The show they used to do! I will not miss the emo, depressed, shockingly shit, whining moaning cunt…Mr Anders. Stop being sad you bag of shit and make some proper metal!

  • tekken

    sense of purpose wil be good anyone who disagree can like my arsehole after a take a dump

  • bye bye in flames

    Come off it there maybe one or two good tracks the rest will be as interesting as a dry bar at a gig….yawn boring.

  • Joe

    subterranean was awesome, i also liked almost everything up to clayman. but this new shit….ugh. stop whining already. stick to the death vocals. tune your guitars back to something intelligible. you are not edge of sanity. i believe they could make a comeback. but this new song and album are not gonna do it, probably.

    well, flame on. haha. how appropriate.

  • Charlie

    I have to agree with the older InFlames fans. I started liking these guys when Colony was released, and every release since, has been one dissapointment after another. I was even extremely dissapointed when Clayman came out, due to the vocal change. Looking back now, after a few years, Clayman kicks some major ass compared to the garbage they are trying to pass off as decent music nowadays.

    Anders: YOU CAN’T sing. CAN’T. Stop trying the clean vox like Soilwork. It just ain’t happening for ya, bud. And I do still like Soilwork, eventhough they’ve changed and thier music is much more basic, cause at least Strid still sounds GOOD. At least Soilwork can put a few songs together and have a few decent elements to them.

    As a band, Inflames no melody anymore, no tecnhical ability shining through, just whining and noise. Yep, that’s InFlames today folks: noise with some whining.

    The funny thing is that ‘emo’ is on it’s way out, and pure heavy metal (it doesn’t even have to be overly melodic) is on it’s way back in. If they released an album like Colony or Whoracle today, it would do MUCH better in sales than it did back then. Too bad they’ve gone and screwed themselves and missed the boat.

    I just listened to the first song of the new album. What a joke! What was that? Oh yeah noise and whining.. what a surprise. No solos, no melody, and this is the first track on the album??

    It’s unfortunate because Gigantour is coming around this summer, and 5 years ago I would have shit my pants to see Megadeth, Inflames and Bodom together. Unfortunately now, I’ll be rocken out to Bodom and thier masterpieces, go get a bite to eat during Inflames’ sure to be lame set filled with the last 3 albums, and back for some serious metal in Megadeth. I’m still wondering why Mustaine took on such a weak supporting act.

  • bye bye in flames

    I agree with the last two posts. I saw inflames live last year…jesus christ. They toned down their older stuff, Anders did the emo in talking “I feel the love here tonight” on stage crap and even toned down the solos! can you believe that! I called them Emos and walked out and left the couples to it! Oh well. I will still buy the new album though you never know there might be one or two on there as a nod to the old skool!

  • Kemo

    I see a lot of bitching about bands turning to a different path… since you guys seem to think you are experts in the field… write up 9 songs and have it recorded. I want to hear what you think is better.

  • SeVeRheaD

    Wow…this site is pathetic…for one…everyone’s bashing the New In Flames album and it hasn’t even been released yet. You’ve heard..what…two songs from it. I’ll be the first person to say…hey…it’s your opinion and your taste..like what you like…..but how can I say that when you’re judging the new album without hearing it. Reading this site is like watching a retard try and fuck a doorknob…..slightly amusing…but ultimately pointless.

  • Charlie

    Review from Metal Injection. It’s talking about the new ablum but could easily apply to R2R onwards.

    “A Sense of Purpose is trademark In Flames– catchy melodic riffs abound, Anders Fridén’s signature rasp is in full form, and electronic beeps, bleeps, and synth pads flesh out that unmistakable In Flames sound. The fist-raising anthems are here, but we’ve heard them all before.

    Sure, for long-time In Flames devotees, living album-to-album like junkies waiting for their next fix, ‘A Sense of Purpose’ will be a welcome and familiar dose of melodic industrial death metal. The rest of us? We’ll likely just dust off our old copies of Whoracle or Colony.

    It’s a shame really, because one gets the sense that they’re capable of so much more. Sure, the album they keep making over and over again is a good album, but In Flames may have missed an opportunity to capitalize on their growing popularity by pushing the envelope, bringing to the table something fresh, innovative, even potentially mind-blowing.”

    Inflames IS capable of so much more. Thier work lately is sloppy, basic, and you can tell they aren’t putting 100% into it, or they’ve simply run out of ideas. Every album from the first to Clayman, all had a distinct sound and although were all very solid, they were different. They were all ‘steps’. Now Inflames have hit a wall. All of thier last 3 albums may as well have been one. It’s all the same shit over and over. No progression at all.

    I don’t complain when a band progresses. If they choose a different style, fine (I was pissed when Metallica put out ‘Load’ cause it’s not them, but at least it’s still a GOOD album regardless of who the artist is. Metal, maybe not, but it’s a solid album).

    I would have rather in Inflames become a fucking soft rock band if they actually put out GOOD soft rock.

  • SeVeRheaD

    Fair enough I suppose….although I am hung up on one of your comments. “I was pissed when Metallica put out ‘Load’ cause it’s not them, but at least it’s still a GOOD album regardless of who the artist is”…I don’t understand…that’s what music is about….how it sounds..how it makes you feel. It was a good album..but since it’s metallica…fuck that. Hahah…that’s the most close-minded nonsense I’ve ever heard. Who gives a fuck who wrote it…if you sit down and listen to it and say…that’s a good album….then it’s a good album. It’s not a good album….ONLY if someone else wrote it. Same with In Flames…if you sit down and listen to R2R on and say…those are good albums…..oh..wait…that was In Flames…nevermind…maybe if it were a soft rock album I would have liked it….you should be hung up by your toe and beaten with pinata sticks….however…if you listen to those albums and just think they sound terrible…fair enough. At least you make sense! :)

  • Charlie

    Sev, yeah that’s what I was trying to say. Load was a solid album regardless of who put it out. It’s not a great Metallica album, but still a good album nonetheless.

    Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about Inflames albums from R2R on. Don’t get be wrong, there are a couple decent songs on each, but they are hardly albums you can listen to from start to finish, and enjoy 80% of it.

    That was my point. I don’t mind that Inflames have changed. Change itself isn’t bad, it’s just thier apparent lack of effort.

  • Kemo

    Funny thing about this site is that we have all these band bashers who complain about a band singing about whining. They all contradict themselves.

    Then we have those who do nothing but say what sucks and try to bring everyone else down… as if their opinion is superior and of a high entity. They preach about “emo this” and “emo that”… hypocrites. If you are on here to bitch about something you don’t like, stfu and keep your own 2 pesos to yourself. If you don’t like it, quit dwelling on it… again I bring up the EMO term. Get over it, move on, shut the fuck up. Don’t like it? Don’t listen to it!

  • Clay

    Stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever read. The album will be amazing, when has In Flames ever done anything short of amazing? I’ve been listening for over 8 years now and they’ve yet to let me down with a release.

  • Chris

    Wow, this website has way too many elitists. I love In Flames… and I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t get into them until I heard “Soundtrack To Your Escape” but does that make me any less of a fan than your average die-hard In Flames fan? No. I loved their early work and I love their latest work. I think the reason all of these fans bitch is because they want to feel superior, you act like this music only belonged to you, you act like this band never had the right to branch out and reach to broader audiences. In Flames has not gone to a “metalcore” genre, while some of those elements are added into their music now, they still piss all over bands like KSE, Five Finger Death Punch, All That Remains, etc, etc.

    I’ve enjoyed every release from In Flames as I think every album they make brings something new and fresh. I mean, come on, can you really expect a band to stick with ONE sound for nine straight albums? Fuck no, it would get too repetitive. Also, what’s with the “they’re trying to go mainstream” argument? So the fuck what… it’s not like they’ve completely sold out and gone out on the “Taste of Chaos” tour or with some other bullshit bands.

    When you get down to the bottom of it, it’s not about In Flames wanting to be mainstream, they’re just trying to be a VERASTILE band and I respect them for that. Besides, even with the change-ups they’ve been doing with their latest albums, atleast they still put in the same amount of work that they did with their early records… and that speaks volumes in itself as all these others bands you hear today don’t do anything remotely close to that.

  • Afzes

    I agree with “ITF”, Whoracle was good, their new stuff is becoming too “-core” for my taste. I’m sure people who like KSE and the like will no doubt enjoy the old new In Flames, and I don’t blame In Flames, they wanted to seize a larger market and that’s a smart move if you’re thinking business. As for myself, I won’t even bother with this new album. My opinion does not count anyways, though, because I no longer really listen to much MeloDeath.

  • Dgtull

    A Sense of Purpose owns me, you, and your mother. Who gives a fuck what they name their album? Please just stFUCKup and listen rather than argue about titles and “metalcore shifts” or whatever jargon you can spit out — obviously not true fans. If you don’t like the new album don’t share it just simply take your fucking CD out, turn off your pirated album that you downloaded from uTorrent, and listen to a band that you do in fact like; be it their ability to name an album or how hardcore they are. I agree with Kemo up there 100%

  • Hatebreeder

    To all those “knockers” who post such negative views on what bands should do…

    Emo kids whine and complain less than you pussies. Maybe you could join them and S.T.F.U.?

    If you are such a good authority on music, start your own band, and stop being a keyboard warrior.

    And yes, I have pre-ordered LTD double disc gatefold. /M\

  • DrK

    Okay..
    *Kemo*
    a)
    “I see a lot of bitching about bands turning to a different path… since you guys seem to think you are experts in the field… write up 9 songs and have it recorded. I want to hear what you think is better”

    - Those songs have already been recorded and they are on any album between Subterranean and Clayman. I don’t think that, should somebody wish to criticize a band, they should write and produce an album in the style of the band they wish to criticize. Did you notice how nobody told you to create your own metal reviewers’ forum in response to you badmouthing this one? Good thing you didn’t go on to bitch about hypocrisy later on, too. Phew, you dodged a bullet there! By the way, your McDonald’s joke was of poor quality both conceptually and in your execution.

    b)
    You are a gigantic knob.

    c)
    “Funny thing about this site is that we have all these band bashers who complain about a band singing about whining. They all contradict themselves.”

    - Despite your claims, Kemo, that is not funny at all; nor is your point insightful. As a matter of fact, the funniest thing about this site is probably that picture of Steve Martin in “The Jerk” up the top. If not that, then maybe it’s your wingman DgTull’s hilariously incoherent statement: “…listen to a band that you do in fact like; be it their ability to name an album or how hardcore they are.” Nice use of language – thanks for that one.
    I think what you’re missing about the nature of the complaints in this thread is that we’re not putting them into song form and nobody is crediting them with having marketable artistic or aesthetic quality. To me, at least, there is a huge difference between complaining about and discussing an issue in real life and winging out poorly-conceived lyrics through a distorted mixer-channel about pain that you’re not feeling for the *sake* of artistic integrity. You don’t ah… you don’t… *get* things do you, Kemo? Nice try, though.

    *DgTull*
    a)
    I think you have misunderstood the concept of property. To express one’s ownership over something through language, the writer should refer to the owner as the “Subject” of the sentence and to that which is being owned as the “Object” through use of respective nominative and accusative noun forms. For example:
    “I am riding a bike” — Here, “I” am the ‘subject’ that is doing the action (riding). And what am I doing it on? I am doing it on a “bike” (the ‘object’ of the sentence).
    So what is wrong with this sentence?:

    “A Sense of Purpose owns me, you, and your mother”

    Well my mother and I certainly own the album, so perhaps you are trying to tell me that you also own it. Preferably, this would be explained as:
    “You, your mother and I own ‘A Sense of Purpose’.”

    Thank you, DgTull; that is fascinating! Did you buy it from the shops? I found my copy on Internet! It is a bad album.

    b)
    “Who gives a fuck what they name their album?”

    - I think a lot of people give a fuck what a band calls their album/s, with the band itself presumably spearheading the fuck-giving. What do you give a fuck about? Clearly not their musical divergences, which I and other posters are seemingly interested in. Do you give a fuck about their band name? Or would you be happy if In Flames changed their name to “Reg Fitzen’s Steelboat Collection” or “New In Flames Sounds Really Bland. It’s Sad that they’ll Probably Never Produce Anything like Jotun Again”? Band names and album names are usually pretty similar functionally, so riddle me that.

    c)
    (I know I mentioned it before, but…)

    “… and listen to a band that you do in fact like; be it their ability to name an
    album or how hardcore they are”

    Fragment (consider revising).

    *Hatebreeder*
    “Emo kids whine and complain less than you pussies.” – Awful. Truly awful.
    “Maybe you could join them and S.T.F.U.?” – Maybe I can… join the emo kids… and shut the fuck up? In true, epitomizingly emo form… I will shut the fuck up? You’re very crap.
    “If you are such a good authority on music, start your own band, and stop being a keyboard warrior.” – I think a lot of us *are* in bands. Being a keyboard warrior and being a musician are not mutually exclusive. Or was “stop being a keyboard warrior” unrelated to the first half of the sentence? If that’s the case: No, I will not.

    \m/
    __________________________

    Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think the new album is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best yet!!!

  • Dgtull

    Well DrK…given that we see eye-to-eye on the new album I think you know damn well what I meant by “A Sense of Purpose owns me, you, and your mother” if not then..well.. it means that the album “A Sense of Purpose” is so God Damn good that it “owns” me, it “owns” you, and it “owns” your mother. Thanks for the refresher on my sophomore English class. (I should have made an entirely new paragraph for that last sentence shouldn’t I have?)

    Needless to say your post did make me smile – why? I don’t know.

  • chris roscoe

    In response to OPirate, you are an absolute moron. ever sinse In Flames created Clayman, Reroute to Remain etc. their record sales have been doubling so what would a peace of spunk stain like you know? Sure their music isn’t the same as their previous albums, but answer this you bumfuck homophobe if every band’s music all sounded the same on every album then why would people want to buy it? All it means is that at least they can play more than one styleof music and besides who the fuck says “apox” anymore beside old women suffering from menopause? why don’t you go hang your self and stop judging music just by an album title! I mean “i went there” what does that even mean, what you went up some poofter boys ass? its ok you can come out…

  • Dave

    I’ve been listening to In Flames for a while now, and while I prefer their older albums to their new stuff, I gotta say this is their best album since Clayman. Anders vocals sound much more diverse and stronger overall, there are some great guitar melodies going on, and I’m glad they brought back some soloing. Plus, the production is much cleaner, which is what seemed to plague the last 3 albums…really muddy guitars, a muddy drum sound, and just a sub-standard mix in my opinion.

    I think it’s definitely a great blend of old and new In Flames, but executed much better than Reroute, Soundtrack, and Come Clarity.

  • medalhead

    new in flames is fucking sick! i havent really liked them for a couple albums now but this reminds me of old school days when they rocked…..i dont know how ppl hate on the band…maybe there not “hard core” enought but really your hard core wouldnt even be around if it wasnt for in flames

  • RazorWireClouds

    i`m sick of all you inbred morons thinking that the commercial success of some bands/albums make them less quality…i say FUCK inflames` older junk…lunar strain pretty much sucked ass and they started sounding good by the time of Clayman…awesome album and sound…as for A Sense of Purpose, i`ve got all the tracks, and they pretty much apear to be the only decent shit to band your head on for a long time now

  • RazorWireClouds

    also stop being retards about the singing…the role of a LEAD SINGER is that of a person who can actually sing…not just grunt and groan and puke all over the godamn mic…if anybody has half a brain he can appreciate that…well…those who give a godamn about the lyrics and wish to understand them FROM LISTENING TO THE SONG not fucking googlein` em

  • DrK

    I don’t see eye to eye with you on the album, DgTull; I was being a jerk when I said the new album is awesome. I think A Sense of Purpose has some okay bits and some reasonably good bits and it’s *definitely* better than Come Clarity. But they’ve basically just ripped off a bunch of the poorer songs from re-route and sountrack without improving on them. New In Flames seems to think they can substitute musical integrity/epic riffs with synth, keyboards and Anders whining before bursting into an epic “throw-your-fists-in-the-air” chorus. I actually think the first song is okay and reminds me a bit of Re-Route to Remain (the song) which I always thought was mad. Too bad that when you think “Hey this album might be kinda okay”, you find that the next song has the words “I feel like shit, but at least I feel something” repeated over and over. What happened to your average “… fasten the left-hand belts, remember not to think to much and your trip will be numbingly pleasant” (not to mention the kickarse breakdown in that song). And mind you, that song does rhyme “skies” with “skies”…

    Also, I don’t think you should have added a new paragraph for that bit… but you could have left out the second repetition of “have” ; )

    Someone hit the nail on the head before though, when they said that people who liked Come Clarity will love the new album and listen to it over and over but, as for the rest of us, we’ll just dust off our copy of Whoracle…

  • DrK

    By the way, RazorWire you’re a fucking knob. And medalhead, one of my main problems with Come Clarity was the fact that they *tried* to sound hardcore. The drums were just so thrashy and the fills were all quick, thoughtless tom/bass rolls. They copied the hardcore sound that started to get big around like.. what… 2003/4? That’s just my opinion though, other people might agree with you and think that In Flames helped pioneere metalcore.

    And can someone please help me flame “chris roscoe”? It’s just… it’s just not a one man job. Seriously – wow.

  • SeVeRheaD

    I like DRK…he brings refreshment to this page…and I’d have to agree with a majority of his statements. After having a chance to listen to the new album thoroughly, I’ve come to the conclusion that is a decent metal album, but a less than par in flames album. This is of course my personal feelings on the album and don’t care if people agree or disagree…thats the beauty of music, we can choose what we like. I thought the album had some cool rhythms, some interesting breaks, and a couple of catchy parts, but overall failed to achieve the In Flames aggression that so many of the fans from albums past loved. This is why so many older fans are disappointed with the new album, at least I assume this is why. When you listen to older albums the music is aggressive and pissed off..but on A Sense Of Purpose, its as if they’re exposing themselves and telling everyone…I’m not as strong as you thought I was. “The Chosen Pessimist” is a perfect example…Anders sounds like he’s in mid tear as he’s singing this…..we don’t want to hear that….we want to hear him screaming at us with all the anger he has built inside….at least I do. Now I’m not ragging on In Flames…they’re very talented and I know they’re capable of bringing the aggression back. I may even listen to the album from time to time…I’m just hoping they take a more aggressive approach with their next effort.

  • SeVeRheaD

    Oh…and after re-reading my last post…I don’t have a problem with Anders trying to “sing” more…sometimes it even works. But when just about every track on the album is adding some attempt at a big clean chorus…you start to ask yourself…”why?”. They obviously could make an album without this style on every track with their older albums…and obviously built a pretty big fanbase. I just hope In Flames doesn’t try to incorporate “what’s popular” into their music at every turn…stick to what they do well…and the fans will follow regardless.

  • DrK

    Yeah man, they’re pretty much my sentiments. When I first heard track 1, my first thought was “Alright, sweet, In Flames are heading back in the direction they came from” and, while it’s not the case for all the songs, I feel there are further hints of a return to form throughout the rest of the album. I don’t have any problems with anybody who likes the album, just with people who deride those who don’t because “STFU, In Flames are fuckin’ sick.” I agree with you heaps about the vocals… In Flames used to be a metal-as band with some mad punch that could be traced back largely to the vocals, but now Anders just puts on that “i’m so exhausted from my inner pain that even talking is a struggle” voice. And the ratio of *that voice* to screaming/quality singing is becoming more and more out of balance as the album releases progress. I’ve always loved Anders’ ability to write catchy, melodic choruses and the new album has some good examples of it… it’s the struggle-voice that I hate.
    By the way, 2 examples of classic in flames from the new album:

    *Track 1 – 00:24 – 00:35
    *Track 6 – 3:00 – 3:04

    The first one woulda been better if, instead of turning into a solo at 30 seconds, it was just a riff based on the first few seconds (and was repeated again in the song).

    And the second one PISSES ME OFF because it could have been so insanely good but, instead, they just go back into that shitty soundtrack-esque riff/vocal section… It had SO much potential! Seriously… if they built on and extended that 4 second bit over about 30secs, it’d be absolutely classic In Flames. But instead its classic new In Flames.

    One last thing… does anybody else find it hilarious that the chorus of track 1 says:
    “We’re not even trying”?

    And that the track 3 chorus sounds exactly like “kick me in the dork”? (If you make the tenuous link that ‘dork’ is a slang term for penis)

    Right, I’m done.

  • rymon

    Im massively dissapointed by this album. For me, it has come too soon after Come Clarity, and where as i liked that album, this new one seems to be a diluted version of that release. They seem commercialised in almost every aspect of their art, from the music to the artwork. Like someone said on here, their new artwork appears almost Korn-ish! People i know who were once into Korn and Slipknot now obsess over In Flames but have not even heard classic albums like Whoracle, Colony, Clayman!

    For me, Whoracle, Colony and Clayman were perfect albums. Each song moved me, from the melodies to the lyrics to the rythmns. Now i look at the lyrics of a song like Abnegation and laugh. Anders what has happened? It just seems their is no effort.

    s/t, Subterranean, Jester Race – good albums leading up to the classic albums of Whoracle, Colony, Clayman – the band, mature.

    Reroute to Remain – good album, leading up to this new release which id give 5/10. A sad day.

  • chris roscoe

    ha ha yes i would have to agree with “DrK” this is very amusing as i thought the same with the lyrics “We’re not even trying?”

    In Flames we FUCKING TRUST!

  • SeVeRheaD

    Hahaha “kick me in the dork”…I thought the exact same thing! My bassist thought he said kick me in the doors. Either way funny as shit.

  • DrK

    Haha great. I fully thought I was just shit at hearing – I’m glad other people noticed it too. Man, I just can’t get into this album though… I’m litsening to it heaps. I’m really trying to see the best in it but I just can’t see past the faults (the bits that I perceive as faults)… No matter how I think the album is, it’ll never be as crap as your bassist for thinking he says “kick me in the doors” haha.

  • DrK

    no matter how bad* I think the album is…

  • insearchfor1

    In Flames is AWESOME…don’t care what others would say!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Lucas

    All you people out there complaining about In Flames not being the same In Flames they were back in the day are completely wrong. These guys fucking rock, i’ve been a fan for about 3 years now, and an “old” in flames fan got me into them he has been listening to them since they came out pretty much, he didnt have much praise for come clarity where i thought it was good, but i cant stand the amount of bull shit people who call themselves fans write about this band, it shows a complete lack of respect for their efforts and what they have accomplished. I like every single track of In Flames music i have ever heard, and i wish more people could say the same.

  • Brown Bear

    this is the best CD ever released by In Flames

  • =SAWZAW=

    I just posted this as “anonymous” on another site a minute ago, because I didn’t wanna sign up for more shit, and it looks like I ended up doing so anyway…However, my opinion still stands.

    I don’t understand my fellow metalheads. Let me get this straight…most of you haven’t even heard it, and you’re ripping it a new asshole. First off, I think it’s amazing. The guitar melodies are flawless, the song structure is actually quite suprising (listen to the chosen pessimist and try to disagree…), and anders’ vocals get better and better each album. (Please, I dare you to listen to jester race and tell me these vocals are worse…quit kidding yourselves.) Bottom line, people stop listening to bands once they taste success…because success isn’t “trendy” enough for you. It’s ridiculous…and it’s happened countless times. In Flames is amazing, and what they’re doing is exactly what they should do…musically evolve. If they kept pumping out the same bullshit, you’d hate that too…so figure it the fuck out. I think 9 albums that are all unique in their own way and yet geniusly written is something hard to come by. Stop jacking off to rain in blood and shut the fuck up.

  • =SAWZAW=

    and secondly…If you’re all such experts why aren’t you writing your own shit???

    Oh wait…that’s right…

  • The Chosen Pessimist

    Omg. What is it with you people calling new In Flames whiny? Do you have any clue what any of those lyrics mean? Or are you too dumb to try and figure it out? I swear, the majority of metal heads are idiots.

  • Got2ownu

    since when does anyone like music because of their lyrics? You must have shit taste in metal to like this album, go listen to sworn to a great divide and report back your findings.

  • SeVeRheaD

    “I swear, the majority of metal heads are idiots.”…yourself included…welcome. I didn’t realize In Flames fans calling them whiny implied anything about their lyrics…in fact….whiny is defined as; “A complaint uttered in a plaintive tone, To utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint.” Wait…so that must mean fans calling them whiny meant that Ander’s sounds like he’s making a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint! Oh…it all makes so much sense now. And if I could make a request for you The Chosen Pessimist…I’m interested to hear your lyrical interpretations of each of the songs off of the new album…that way when I compare them to the lyrics I can see just how smart you are :). So lets hear those interpretations!

  • http://N/a bye bye Inflames

    What the hell.

    Ok, firstly i bought the new inflames album and i must say there is a major improvement musically compaired to the previous two. However, as an older inflames fan it is too much of a change for me to really dig it. I mean its just not the inflames i fell in love with on Whoracle and i know everyone can relate to that in some way. that said to do …like… the new album but its not one that will get alot of play time. some tracks are great and i like The Chosen Pessimist structure but most of the songs were what i was expecting to be honest and that is a disappointment.

    Secondly, By whining I mean the high pitched shit that Anders does for choruses. They, to me, are hit or miss wildly. It makes me cring cos it spoils the fucking songs. the songs on the last album were like… wait for it wait for it….HORMONY and WHINY CHORUS..LA LA LA LARRR La….fucking boring. Lyrically, in flames have still got it man and i think anyone can relate to Anders lyrics in some way about something.

    New Children of Bodom Album is a fucking beast by the way!

  • dan

    I think Whoracle is fukin excellent

    …the rest are all pretty standard metal, but Whoracle has a different feel to it

  • I WANT IN FLAMES BACK

    ha…

    this album sucked really bad … what you mean what we think is whinny??? the problem are the vocals!!! c’mon this isnt melodic death metal.. he is SCREAMING… thats not good… anders was a great vocalist… his growlings where awesome…the jester race… whoracle colony clayman where awesome in every way… lyrics melodies riffs… you know in flames is the best melodic death metal band because of those albums well dont forget lunar strain and subterranean but thats another story… yeah… Biosphere what an epic song… anyways in flames used to own… also ah… ive never see them live :S well i will probably never see them … i cant just go to a concert SURROUNDED BY EMOS and gay kids that try to headbang.. S: i love watching to live performance’s like 2004 wacken…? when they played only for the weak(well used to happend every time they play’d it) all the ppl jumping and singing, if you go to an in flames concert now its much much shittier… anyways this albums sucked.. i tried it but it sucked .

    btw soundtrack to your escape was decent…
    and oh… in flames songs are just so alive.. so powerfull… listen to the older albums and if you really like melodic death metal you will understand what i mean… ha
    THIS IS ONLYYYYYYY FOR THE WEAAAAAAAAAAAK !!! JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP!!!

    ,/,,/

  • http://metalsucks Deathead666

    ya i have to say album realy blows big monkey balls they have lost there aggrestion i like up to reroute to the remain and thei sing is to boo hoo sounding he could of dont better less boo hooing

  • http://metalsucks Deathead666

    and on top of that i think the new metallica sound better then this lol