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.