Metal Reviews

See, this is exactly what I meant by "digital bloodbath". I just knew it had to happen eventually. But now that it has, I might as well chime in.

Quite frankly, I could never buy into the fact that any band ever truly "sells-out". There a number of reasons why:

1.) Bands make money. Yeah, that's right. It's their job. When their albums start to sell better, it's not an indication of declining music quality; it's the sign that that they've done their job (promoting interest in the band through concerts and other events) better, almost like getting a raise. Shouldn't we be celebrating that instead of putting them down for it? Bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica are both known worldwide and are extremely successful, but I don't think anyone ragged on them when Number of the Beast or Master of Puppets came out and they each started recieving attention (although I suppose MoP is arguable...and it's clear that EVERYONE rags on Metallica nowadays, but that's not the point).

2.) It's illogical to put the quality of the band's music ear-to-ear with the audience that listens to it. For example, if a bunch of "nu-metal poser" types decided to support Slayer after albums like God Hates Us All were produced...who cares? Even if it was the musical nature of GHUA that persuaded to take the band upon themselves, it's possible that that discovery will lead them to be introduced to "better" albums like Reign In Blood ("better" being in quotes for the purposes that not everyone shares the same opinions...believe it or not)

3.) Putting aside any financial gain, the upside to being in a band is playing the music you love. If bands decide to develop their sound into something "different" and end up enjoying playing it, who are we to tell them that what they've done is unethical or bad? In the case of In Flames, the band has made it very clear that they enjoy doing something different on each album. And let's face it...when you produce an album as "metal" as The Jester Race (to use a vague term), where else is there to go? Apparently, a possible way to progress and evolve is by providing new experiences that aren't meant to be compared to the ones before them.

That's my personal stance. I bring it up because everyone hears STYE and thinks that In Flames has "sell-out" written all over them...never minding that the term itself has no official definition these days. It's obvious they aren't interest in playing pure melodeath anymore, they just want to do...whatever. And I salute them for it!

Just noticed this Korn comparison...probably the 50th one I've seen, by this point. I figured I'd just point out how tuning down the guitars doesn't make a band like Korn.

Now if In Flames had made an album that relied more on the bass than the guitars and had shallow lyrics about child-abuse...maybe that comparison would work. Maybe.

Name a band that In Flames sounds like.

Hahahahaha awesome!!!Thanks for the laugh dude!The random 2cents grants him a WIN.

Weird ass disturbing video that I can't even bare to watch,but the song is alright.Don't want to spoil the rest till it comes out.

Just listened to the Mirror song on Myspace, and its not bad at all (though Anders really needs to go). Probably the best thing they've done since the song Trigger.

Your question is pointless, as my question was entirely different. It doesn't matter what a band sounds like -- if they didn't define anything, they didn't.

I didn't like the song. The vocals really kill it for me. But it actually feels they are going back to their old sound, which is a good thing. Still i doubt ill even listen to the full lenght.

They defined a sound, and they've done quite well with it. Your question is the pointless one.

What sound? It's fucking melodeath; almost every band sounds the same.

Not having listened to the new IF stuff yet, I must say that the idea of a music video with kids starting a riot doesn't make me especially excited. Still, like Aaron said, I like IF, so odds are I'll like this.

And anyone who's actually listened to Korn knows that In Flames sound completely, utterly different.

Well, I do have 'Follow The Leader' on cassette tape. I meant they're imitating Korn visually. Anders suddenly sporting dreadlocks isn't a coincidence.

Meh... surely having dreadlocks doesn't mean you're imitating Korn? Goddamn you, Bob Marley!

It's funny, but it's almost as if some people like them, while others don't...
I've never heard them, so I'm indifferent.
Interesting thread, though.

Precisely.

Oh! Now they're back to being melodic death metal, huh? I thought they went nu-metal? Get out of here. There isn't any band out there that sounds like In Flames now. The first few albums were typical melodeath albums, but by the time Colony hit the band was pretty much carving out their own unique niche within the genre.

And Anders having dreadlocks isn't a coincidence? I can't tell if you're always joking or just absolutely retarded. My guess is the latter.

No, In Flames have always sounded like pretty generic melodeath. I've never been a fan of them at all, but the only melodeath band I've ever liked much was At The Gates.

In Flames: I can take 'em or leave em. I don't care either way!

Get the hell out of here.

Ever since Reroute people have been whining that In Flames went nu-metal. Now they're all of a sudden generic melodeath again? What is this nonsense? Hot Topic no longer selling In Flames t-shirts or something.

In Flames was generic melodeath, but from Colony on—and arguably from Whoracle on, actually—they have their own unique sound. When you hear it, you know it's In Flames. It may not be some earth-shattering uber-original sound, but it's a sound unto their own. And I personally think that counts for something.

The only point I could possibly accept is that In Flames and Soilwork have a similar sounding, sort of 'rubbery' drum sound. Totally different bands, though.