In Flames Surprise-Release Covers EP Featuring Songs by Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails and More

Over the past week, Swedish melodeath pioneers In Flames have been teasing cover versions of well-known songs by Alice in Chains, Chris Isaak and Depeche Mode, leading many to speculate that a covers EP was on the horizon.

Those speculations were correct: today In Flames released Down, Wicked & No Good, a covers EP consisting of four songs, via Nuclear Blast. The EP features three tracks all referenced in its title — Alice in Chains’ “Down in a Hole,” Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” and Depeche Mode’s “It’s No Good” — as well as a fourth, a live version of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.”

The cover versions explore In Flames’ more industrial/goth/new wave side instead of their usual slate of metal. Those influences have always been present in the band’s music (especially their post-1999 releases), but they’re at the forefront here. It’s actually pretty cool to hear them embracing their electronic side more — I’m into it! I’ll take it over Battles any day.

In Flames are taking over Depeche Mode’s Facebook page all day today. Their European tour kicked off earlier this week; dates at the bottom of this post.

Down, Wicked & No Good is available for purchase here, and can be streamed below.

17.11.  S          Stockholm – Stockholm Globe (IN FLAMES headline show) *sold out*
18.11.  N         Oslo – Spektrum (IN FLAMES headline show) *sold out*
20.11.  DK       Copenhagen – Royal Arena
21.11.  D         Hamburg – Sporthalle
22.11.  D         Berlin – Velodrom
24.11.  D         Oberhausen – KP Arena
26.11.  CZ        Prague – Forum Karlin *sold out*
28.11.  CH       Zurich – Hallenstadion
29.11.  D         Munich – Olympiahalle
30.11.  I           Padova – Geox Theatre
02.12.  D         Stuttgart – HMH Schleyerhalle
04.12.  F          Paris – Olympia *sold out*
05.12.  LUX      Luxembourg – Rockhal
06.12.  D         Frankfurt – Festhalle
08.12.  A         Vienna – Stadthalle
11.12.  E          Madrid – Wizink Centre
12.12.  E          Barcelona – Sant Jordi Club
14.12.  B          Antwerp – Lotto
15.12.  NL        Amsterdam – Afas Live
17.12.  UK       Birmingham – BCA
18.12.  UK       Glasgow – Hydro
20.12.  UK       Leeds – Leeds Arena
21.12.  UK       London – Wembley Arena