In Flames New Album being released in Q2 of 2014 thread

Bjorn did say this is his first summer off in like 15 years or something.

Damn, they really did do a lot of touring since like 1998.
 
You have no right to tell a band what to make.

IF have the right to write and play shitty pop metal, I (and everybody else) have the right to love or hate and comment on their shitty pop metal.
 
I read the first few lines of your reply. There is no way I am taking the time to read all of that long winded post. Yea, In Flames used to be awesome. Yea, they absolutely suck now. Yea, they ditched their early fan base, you know, the one that MADE them popular. And don't get me started on 40 year olds not being expected to have the same energy as when they were 20. There are literally hundreds of musicians in all genres of metal that are 35-40 and play with immense energy - Jeff Loomis, Gene Hoglan, Tom Araya, All of Testament, All of Cannibal Corpse, etc etc. I could go on and on. You're right that I don't like In Flames anymore. I never post here. But every time they release a new album I have to come here and remind the newbies what things used to be like...

Enjoy your In Flamez. I'll go listen to Enslaved. A band that isn't lazy (Bjorn's own words) :)...

And yet we need to read your garbage shit posts?
 
New Siren Charms review - review is in French, google translate version below:

http://www.guitariste.com/chroniques/in-flames-siren-charms,3453,1.html

While Dark Tranquillity never chained so many good albums and that At The Gates planned his return for the fall, eyes are turning to the third member of the trinity of melodic death metal: In Flames. Since the departure of Jesper Strömblad, Swedish have released one disc, Sounds Of A Playground Fading not quite successful. Siren Charms, the guitarist is actually forgotten. The remaining members trace their route to a more commercial sound that will reassure their new record company Sony. Remains whether the fans, they will be similarly reassured ...
In Flames's career looks more and more like a huge mess. To Reroute To Remain, and even Soundtrack To Your Escape, if one is tolerant mood, the group has innovated while preserving its achievements. For ten years, however, biting their compositions sharply eroded. Singing death unresponsive. Keyboards ride more often niche. And the pieces are simplified dangerously. In Flames has a pact with the mainstream and nothing seems to retain its glorious past. We do not want him to change his artistic career but looks more and more like a regression. Certainly, there are still some on Siren Charms impactful moments as Filtered Truth where chorus and riffs are hair or When The World Explodes shows how commercial ambitions and artistic quality can be combined skillfully. In 2014, anyway, nobody wants to hear re-pumps Whoracle or Clayman: group shows as well that he can still go ahead with a strong niche. Apart from these two pieces and flashes of guitar here and there, Siren Charms is incredibly overpowering. Amazing for a band whose influences are also firmly rooted in the death and melodic heavy. All the songs suffer from a serious lack of hooks. It seems that the four musicians routinely turn to their singer to save their compositions. Difficult to acknowledge Anders Fridén as his efforts are commendable. Improving his vocal performances album to album, it reached a level of subtlety that none of his comrades of the Gothenburg scene can only dream one day closer. Problem: he spends more time singing and crooning to let go. In Flames has never excelled in introspective moments although there is often rubbed since its inception. Where these pieces were diluted in a most imposing mass death attacks, they now constitute the majority of the production. It is bored. The first two singles released from their fans, and Rusted Nail Through Oblivion, illustrate the content of the disc. Through Oblivion seems straight out of discarded Come Clarity songs, it said. Rusted Nail begins with a riff Amorphis but instead of taking the route of a venerable hymn folk metal, it connects disparate parts where no memorable element emerges.

With ten years of albums ways into the hands, In Flames, now no longer disappoint. He became any group that one wonders for how long the public will find his account.
 
The translation of that review makes it difficult to work out what the fuck the author means... but I think I get the general jist :D

Basically, this album is going to be a commercialised piece of shit that has Anders attempting to sing for most of it, whilst Bjorn throws out some lazy guitar riffs every so often and the others are just kind of there.

Was it too much to ask for another album on the same level as SOAPF? They got it practically perfect on that album, disappointing to read (so far, anyway) that they appear to have regressed back to the ASOP era again.
 
The translation of that review makes it difficult to work out what the fuck the author means... but I think I get the general jist :D

Basically, this album is going to be a commercialised piece of shit that has Anders attempting to sing for most of it, whilst Bjorn throws out some lazy guitar riffs every so often and the others are just kind of there.

Was it too much to ask for another album on the same level as SOAPF? They got it practically perfect on that album, disappointing to read (so far, anyway) that they appear to have regressed back to the ASOP era again.

I think it was one of the first track by track reviews that was posted here that gave me hope. From the sound of that the album seems like it has a lot of variation just like SOAPF and won't be like ASOP. Now, whether or not I'll like the music remains to be seen.
 
I predict two decent songs, few good choruses/music pieces scattered around in other songs and painfully dull album after a few spins.

Basically, an inferior version of SOAPF.

Oh, I listened RN this morning and Bjorn repeats the same little guitar riff/segment 60 times during just one verse. And then another 50-60 times during the rest of the song. Chorus: 4 power chords done multiple times.
 
I think the new album is going to be a love/hate relationship for most IF fans as with SOAPF..some will find the new style fresh and interesting, others will find it boring and too soft.
 
I think the new album is going to be a love/hate relationship for most IF fans as with SOAPF..some will find the new style fresh and interesting, others will find it boring and too soft.

It's been a love/hate since R2R. Funnily enough some people who hated R2R and STYE has been starting to like them more now because they think that ASOP & SOAPF has been so extremely terrible that R2R and STYE suddenly becomes better albums just by other albums being even worse, in their opinion.

That's some logic I don't really understand. I don't understand how you can dislike an album a lot and then suddenly start liking it more just because there's a new album that you think sounds ten times worse, somehow making that album better in hindsight. So in like 3 albums when In Flames has become even more shittier (in some people's opinions), ASOP, SOAPF and Siren Charms will all of a sudden become acceptable albums. Lel.
 
Krofius I think you make a good point. Some metalheads are as shallow as pop fans ie. their opinion on an album will be determined on what other people say or they are too afraid express their true opinion.
 
Was it too much to ask for another album on the same level as SOAPF? They got it practically perfect on that album, disappointing to read (so far, anyway) that they appear to have regressed back to the ASOP era again.

I don't even think it will be as "good" as ASOP songs were. At least they were heavy with screaming.

This whining-singing bullshit is ridiculous.
 
IMO only the first 10 seconds is somewhat similar with the hectic drums.

Btw, looked over the pre-order bundles for Siren Charms, there's one bundle that's a vinyl, and on the b-side there's the whole album instrumental. Would love to have that on CD =(
 
The way bunch of old dudes should do music...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92_XyoAGprc

I dislike Helloween (and power metal in general), but this is a fine example of power metal transformed to pop-rock/metal, with good vocals and nice melodies after the solo. And they are not acting like US teenage something-core band.
 
http://sons-of-metal.com/2014/07/28/avant-premiere-ecoute-de-siren-charms-nouvel-album-din-flames/

Positive review from a French journalist - again using google translate but I think its clear that he likes the album

As you probably know, Hellfest, there is no time to be bored and even less to do boring things. An exclusive preview for journalists was proposed in festival press area to help us discover the youngest of In Flames , more than a month and a half before its official release! It is not without a certain joy that we introduced ourselves there.

Strangely, there were quite a few people in the conference room for this preview. The representative of Epic Records, the new label of the group, towards us, smiling. It tells us that this is the first album of the band signed by a major label and the eleventh installment in the already long series of discs Swedes. The official release is announced for Europe on September 5th of this year and September 9 for the United States. Everything was recorded at Hansa Studios in Germany, which is nothing other than the studio where they spent U2 and David Bowie , to name only the least known. Therefore we expect something monumental recording level. We are asked not to use any device to store anything on the album. The secret to be guarded. In fact, the representative of the label that handles the album like a jewel, given the care it provides to its handling, keeps us in the eye, like a sentinel watching.

Approximately one hour elapses between the beginning of the first track and the final silence. We are both surprised and excited mixed. Some unscrupulous journalists are passed, listened to five minutes and left. Others seemed to expect something and disappeared. But we knew what we had come looking for you and we listened to the entire disc.

As might be expected, the recording is monstrous. Those who have already cast an ear on Rusted Nail and Through Oblivion , both pieces available until the release of the entire album, know what we mean. This quality is lacking at any time. Each instrument stands out clearly from the mass of the sound without taking over or disturbing others. The voice is beautifully highlighted. Mixing and mastering are equally exceptional. In short, smooth production and a sound that honors the studio where it comes from.

Talking compositions now. Those who were disappointed by listening to Rusted Nail and Through Oblivion will not necessarily be happy to learn, but the entire album follows the same guideline. Of course, each piece is different. We turn dark and slow riffs sometimes jerky environments, from binary to ternary, from light to saturated fat uncompromising. However, those who expect the In Flames well violate the entire length, with non-stop growl, or just the old In Flames , will be disappointed. But do not lose hope. Through listening, a particular unit is day, an idea, an evolving concept. The group is changing and not for the worse. The tempo slowed down significantly, certainly. Anders Friden (singer) sings more in clear voice, but what certainly still clear voice, anyway! The guitars and drums are slower but everything serves a musicality that we feel as increased. Music generally takes more guts, are more emotional charge than before There are definitely hints that arise Pop and his huge, overwhelming, incredibly clean, seems too disproportionate to be only vulgar "Pop". The group takes all of us against foot and goes where few waiting, certainly. He advances towards introspection, in a universe that, looking calmer, is ultimately more furious account in the background, over and above all reflected back. This album marks a historic turning point and will certainly serve as a bridge between the In Flames Old and In Flames again. The current result is already very good, even if it does not win, at first, a total membership, including purist fans of the group. But evolution is well and goes through change. However, the group's roots are present and quite audible. We also find influences a little more "modern" with forays Djent and Math-core times, without this turns or caricature, or plagiarism. Just a hint of this ingredient in a recipe already well established.

This preview was for us a very informative and useful. And far away from us or make us feel any resentment, we feel the passage of In Flames to a new level. An artistic choice, like any artistic deliberate choice, do not raise that love or effusions of joy. Yet we urge you, dear readers, to give a chance to your favorite band as well look to it, this album will be one of the best training. And yet, there is already ten out. It just require a more sedate listening certainly a little more time. That is the quality of a given work is recognized. For us, it is seen. On September 5, we already have a planned purchase.
 
And another semi - positive one :D
http://metaltrip.com/premier-nuevo-disco-de-in-flames/

It looks like there was a listening session in Hellfest.

On our trip to Hellfest this year we had the opportunity to hear a preview of the new album Swedes In Flames, which will be published next September.

In Flames - Siren Charms

It was speculated at first that this would be accompanied by a premiere press conference of the band but unfortunately it did not, so had to settle for listening to the album to dry, and we left the following sensations.

Obviously quite radical change direction gave the band's sound with the previous album, "Sounds of a Playground Fading", which somehow seemed to come from the evolution of the band and neglect group guitarist founder and composer Jesper Strömblad. Of course the change did not please too many people, at least in our country, although they continued to live reaping some success with a tour to our country, although without actually called complete if enough people.

With these preliminaries we can be prepared for what we offer Swedish with this new work they have titled "Sirens Charms" and that first comes the first surprise us, for my good. The sound of the guitars is much stronger and taller than its predecessor, which was widely criticized. In this case they have chosen to give a metallic environment, hardening their sound, and this hardening including a battery with greater presence and dynamism.

The second aspect, this already evident at the end of listening to the disc and surely not like too, is almost completely neglect the voices ripped by Mr. Friden and therefore the total ownership of his clean vocals. This certainly will be talking a lot.

As a last point to mention, but this already being somewhat subjective, is that in general the topics are more accessible. To make an understandable comparison, the previous album, personally, I had to listen repeatedly until you picked up the taste, the only first listen I see it's going to be more direct. Obviously this is a personal opinion, there will be many people who do not like anything or not.

Anyway until September will not have the cd in our hands when we make a further analysis. Meanwhile I'll stick with the good vibrations has transmitted me this first listen
 
Some litte info/reviews about the album that I read in Sweden Rock Magazine (Swedens biggest rock magazine)

Paralyzed will be a live staple most likely. When the World Explodes was supposed to be another song aimed to be played live a lot (And also the song most reviewers said was one of the stronger ones on the album), but the song features a female soprano vocalist in the chorus by the name of Emilia Feldt (never heard of her), so it will probably not be played that often, according to Björn.

I think In Flames song's with guest-vocals by females have always been really good. Dead End is one of the stronger tracks on CC imo. And soprano vocalist can make it cool, we'll see

Okay so there's 4 small reviews by 4 guys from the magazine that reviewed a bunch of upcoming albums such as Entombed, Hammerfall, Opeth etc. They seem to all be kind of harsh though, Didn't see a higher score than 7 from any reviewer on any albums. But there's no denying their reviews are negative or average.

I'll translate as good as I can from the 4 different reviews.

David Bergström 4/10
Suddenly the boundaries between In Flames, Radiohead and Kent (Well known Rock/Pop/Synth band in Sweden) are blurry. In Flames has taken the accessible and digestible lugubrious to a new level. Sometimes the melodies are undeniable. They are striking. Other times it's just agonizingly whiny and inanely poppy.

Jonas Granvik 5/10
Annoyingly jerky riffs. Lukewarm melodies. Whiny singing, sodden of effects. Halfway through hope arrives with a brillant title track, and When the World Explodes with awesome singing by Emilia Feldt. But the sparkle never ignites. If In Flames is going to be modern and epic they have to become darker.

Pelle Gunnarsson 4/10
It's so many Swedish sayings in his review that are basically untranslatable but the general consensus is that he thinks In Flames is stuck on the third gear and the music doesn't attract any impression for him really, but he also says When the World Explodes is probably the highlight.

Erik Thompson 3/10

Sigh. Yet another album that breaks the taboos and limits on paper - if the paper is the hubrismoldy pressrelease. As usual the reality is something else. Everything on Siren Charms is heard, done and redundant. Only for you who don't find the real Dead By April void enough.

Well that was hopeful! Lol. Well at least there seems to be a few tracks that seems to be strong and generally liked. I did like both Rusted Nail, Through Oblivion & Everything's Gone though, and these reviewers clearly disliked them a lot, so maybe I'll enjoy the majority of the album anyways. But for some of you other guys (A88, De4life) etc, seems there'll only be very few songs you'll enjoy.