Best output ever by this band - intense, melodic as all hell, creative, imaginative, all encompassing sheer display of utmost talent that this band once had. 40+ minutes of pure melodic death metal. This is NOT power metal by any sense, it is precision melodic death hands down. Superb production quality, guitar display of triumph, screaming vocals, utmost original songwriting quality here. This beats any In Flames even 'Whoracle' (1997), 'Colony' (1999), etc. Amazing that I found this release after hearing more of their somewhat newer stuff, not the new style i.e. melodic death n' roll, but when they still were considered to be a strict melodic death act with original band members.

It doesn't matter what track you pick, it's all filled with creativity, a load of emotion, spellbound triumph of orchestrated music. This captivates it all hands down! I've never heard this band play a better album. What is it that I'm talking about really though? I'm talking about no-holds-barred riffs of utmost insanely wicked guitars, supporting vocals that augment the melodic death display of sheer originality and diligence. Intense, original, esoteric, pure Gothenburg style of melodic death that hits the reich to that of say At The Gates's 'Slaughter of the Soul' (1995). This one ranks way high up there on the genius like potential of an album. What a creation and triumph of pure melodic death never replicated.

The band explored many avenues of lead guitar triumph as well, sheer shred and arpeggios with nice reverb to authenticate the essence. They're tuned to C I think on the guitar, not as deep as say ATG's 'SOTS', but still has its' heavy moments, just not as brutal. Gothenburg exploded around this time. In Flames helped this genre in so many ways here, especially with succeeding albums, just not as noteworthy. I think that the creativity and mindfulness shined bright here. As I say, no tune on here is NOT worthy of praise, they all are. Amazing that they really worked towards their super creative edge and dominated. There isn't a time where you can here this too many times around.

Strange that their successor 'Whoracle' didn't have a better production than this one. Who's to blame for that? I would say that the mixing here is powerful, the bass guitar you can hear, the drums in tune with the guitar. They really shined here, amazing that they couldn't duplicate this, but with each succeeding album they would digress. I wish that they did not change their style of music. Their lyrical concepts I could never really relate to, but just knowing that they were creative in that respect here too is the reason for the perfect rating. Nothing here is without precision, poise, and flowing like water flows. Simply phenomenal.

This to me I think and feel is In Flames' best work ever. To not see that, then you have rave incompetence in melodic death metal. Pick any track or instrumental and tell me that it's power metal?! What the hell, this is Gothenburg melodic death to the core it's played. Production absolutely magnificent, outputs sheer originality, vocals with screaming intensity and no backing down on the creative aspect of the human mind. An absolutely phenomenal performance hands down by all members. The songwriting is just amazing, the vocals intense, the drums right on key with the guitars, and the quality of this output is with utmost domination in a musical sense it brings to the listen. Own it!

Rating: 10 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death8699
08/18/2014 19:12