IN FLAMES
“I, THE MASK”
Album Review by Chris Palmer
8/10
In Flames should be a familiar name to any self-respecting follower of the Metal scene and visitor to this website. If, however, you haven’t heard of these mighty Swedes, then you’ve clearly spent your life living under a rock and have missed out on some truly brilliant Metal music.
Formed in 1990, In Flames hail from Gothenburg and have a fantastic discography, which includes twelve full-length albums, three live releases, and four E.P.s. The current incarnation of the band consists of Anders Fridén [Vocals], Björn Gelotte [Guitars], Niclas Engelin [Guitars], Bryce Paul Newman [Bass], and Tanner Wayne [Drums].
Last month saw these prolific Swedes release their thirteenth full-length album, with “I, The Mask” being released on Nuclear Blast Records at the beginning of March. It has been three years since the last full-length from In Flames [2016’s “Battles”}, so “I, The Mask” sees a welcome return for the band. I’ve been a fan of the band ever since 2002’s “Reroute To Remain” came out, so the excitement got the better of me when the promo pack landed in my inbox, prompting me to add more to my monthly workload! But it was certainly worth it…
Running for almost 51 minutes and containing twelve tracks, “I, The Mask” is a cracking album which kicks off with the superb “Voices”. All the trademark In Flames ingredients are evident, from the aggressive and soaring vocal attack, to the impressively heavy rhythm. The band will have you headbanging right from the start as they plough through this opening monster with power and precision. A change in tempo announces title track, “I, The Mask”, as In Flames keep you hooked with a healthy blend of heavy guitars, chugging bass lines, and powerful drums. “Call My Name” thunders past before “I Am Above” chugs into life and leads you along its path towards the outstanding, “Follow Me”. This number contains a slower tempo but does have its heavy moments and the guitar-play/solo during the second half is exquisite. I admit that I do enjoy the heavy songs that In Flames play, but numbers like this bring a different edge to the music these Swedes produce, which adds variety and beauty to proceedings. I find myself repeating “Follow Me” numerous times to enable me to absorb it fully.
A call to arms, followed by heavy, up-tempo riffage launches you into “(This Is Our) House”, which will have you stomping around the room and singing the choruses. So, crank it up, scream out loud, and let the neighbours hear it all! Before you know it, seventh number “We Will Remember”, is upon you with a barrage of heaviness that blasts from the speakers, threatening the very foundations around you. After 4+ minutes, the ballad “In This Life” enters the realm and rolls along in a beautiful manner. The soaring vocals bring shivers to the spine as they pour from the speakers throughout this powerful number.
“Burn” launches from the speakers and punishes you for three minutes and 43 seconds, before being followed by the equally heavy and impressive “Deep Inside”. In what feels like the blink of an eye, In Flames arrive at penultimate number “All The Pain”, which is a rather sombre affair. The album is brought to a close by “Stay With Me”.
In recent times In Flames have received their fair share of criticism for an apparent change in style of music. Many questions have been asked… Are they Melodic Death Metal? Are they Metalcore? Are they Alternative Metal? Have they lost their way? At the end of the day, who cares what sub-genre the public want to label them in. As far as I’m concerned there’s Good Metal and Bad Metal, and In Flames certainly sit in the former section because, “I, The Mask” is a slab of heavy goodness that is full of variety that doesn’t veer from the traditional In Flames sound.
Each track contains varying tempos and riffs that’ll have you headbanging in delight. Every track has its own soul and is driven by that heavy rhythm section of Bryce’s Bass and Tanner’s Drumming. The twin guitar attack from Björn and Niclas is first-class, with some exquisite solos added in for good measure, and that vocal display from Anders is spellbinding.
If you’re a fan of In Flames, then this is obviously an essential purchase. If you’re new to the band then, firstly where have you been(?) and, secondly, “I, The Mask” is a good place to get acquainted with them because this album sees them put in a very strong effort. Welcome back lads!
TRACKLIST
Voices
I, The Mask
Call My Name
I Am Above
Follow Me
(This Is Our) House
We Will Remember
In This Life
Burn
Deep Inside
All The Pain
Stay With Me
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