Some quotes from reviews that are now hilarious having listened to the album.
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/in_flames-i_the_mask
"One thing I, The Mask does do well is maintain a lyrical theme throughout, one that is somewhat compelling, too. The album offers some astute social commentary that doesn't come across as sanctimonious"
oh yeah, those deep social commentaries. Anders the philosopher.
https://www.getsomemagazine.com/album-review-in-flames-i-the-mask/
"Yep, they’re still legends.
Thirteen albums later, the greatest Swedish melodic death metal band, In Flames is still crushing it. Releasing worldwide on March 1st, 2019, ‘I, The Mask’ breaks new ground as In Flames constantly tweaks and evolves their phenomenal sound."
"The tone of In Flames’ music has softened over the years while maintaining a consistent musical heaviness that keeps the band in the “melodic death metal” genre."
Oh yeah, SOAPF, SC and Battles, Melodic Death Metal classics
"The clean guitar intro on the song “Follow Me” reminded me a lot of “Sleepless Again” on their 2006 album A Sense of Purpose."
Here I was thinking their 2006 album was Come Clarity. They must have just released ASOP twice.
"Beautiful guitar licks constantly sweep through In Flames’ new songs in between Anders Fridén’s dramatic vocals. Anders Fridén has greatly expanded his vocal capabilities on ‘I, The Mask’. His wonderful voice ranges from sounding broken and hopeless like at the beginning of “All The Pain,” to the classic heavy metal Anders in “I Am Above.” Although Anders’ clean singing capabilities have improved album by album, the range and control of his voice truly shines on I, The Mask."
Dramatic vocals I guess that's one way of putting it.
"Even in their vulnerable sounding songs like, “All The Pain,” In Flames manages to quickly transform the song from sad to another heavy In Flames classic"
Yeah man, All The Pain is up there with classics like Jotun, Colony, Only For The Weak, etc for sure.
"Album after killer album, In Flames, manages to change their sound for the better"
Yeah, definitely better to change from Clayman to what we have now. So much improved.
"Purist In Flames fans may not respect the changes In Flames has made over the years, insisting on old albums like The Lunar Strain and The Jester Race but the true fans are absolutely going to love this album."
Guess I'm not a true fan, guys
https://metalwani.com/2019/02/review-in-flames-i-the-mask.html
"‘I Mask’, a beast of a record with a heart at the center of it, In Flames triumph by making it a lucky thirteen."
Oh yeah, nothing says "beast record" like over half the songs being slow, mid tempo ballads. Fucking beastly.
"Fans are then introduced to a clear album standout in leading single, and one of the more mainstream tracks, “(This Is Our) House”. Packed with violent verses and a recurring, singalong chorus by vocalist AndersFrieden, you would be lying if you said it hadn’t hooked you in the first time around."
So not only am I not a true fan, but I'm apparently also a liar. Bad times.
"There’s an inevitable level of scorn dribbled from the mouths of metal elitists toward any heavy band with mainstream aspirations. Just as there were with Metallica. But if elitism is all that is keeping you from expanding your scope of experience, you’re missing out in the case of ‘I, The Mask’, an album that balances both ends of the metal spectrums."
If Elitist is liking good music then yeah, I guess I am missing out.
https://crypticrock.com/in-flames-i-the-mask-album-review/
"Pioneers of the Swedish Melodic Death Metal scene, the band formed back in 1990 in Gothenburg. Shortly thereafter, they delivered their debut album, Lunar Strain, in 1994, and would go on to release a truly impressive 11 additional albums over the next 22 years – including 2002’s Reroute to Remain, 2006’s Come Clarity, 2011’s Sounds of a Playground Fading, and, most recently, 2016’s Battles."
Why randomly list these albums? strange.
"There’s an almost delicate 1980’s Thrash influence to the band’s fancy fretwork on the verses of “Call My Name,”
80's thrash? Are you fucking joking?
" it paves the way for the inspirational “Follow Me,” which urges listeners to find a home away from their sorrows, to overcome the darkness in their souls."
Oh wow, amazing. Thanks for being such an inspiration, Anders.
"Continuing this anthemic feel is “(This is Our) House.” Here, amongst pummeling rhythms, gang vocals add a sense of urgency to the band’s plea that, yes, this is a fight for our lives."
What is a fight for their lives? They're recording the song in LA whilst sipping on Starbucks and liking instagram posts of Bryce Paul and Tanner Wayne surfing at the beach. They aren't exactly fighting in Syria.
"This perfectly flows into the melodies of “We Will Remember,” and the gentle-swaying lament of “In This Life.” Truth be told, the latter track could easily be the newest Good Charlotte tune."
I assume that last sentence is an insult?
"There is absolutely nothing amiss with I, The Mask."
Absolutely nothing. Right. Except in the very next sentence...
"However, for a band known for their eclectic abilities to cross genres fluidly and with finesse, it all feels a bit generic and lacking in the panache that fans have come to expect from the legendary In Flames. "
So that's something pretty fucking big to be amiss, isn't it?!
https://metalreport.co.uk/in-flames-i-the-mask-review/
"Pushing boundaries, exploring new avenues and kicking down doors. 10/10"
It's a review written by ThePhobiac! Kidding bro, but seriously, you know you're about to be fed some foul smelling bullshit when that is the first sentence.
"With each new In Flames album comes a new evolution in feel and songwriting maturity."
Oh yeah, that evolution from SOAPF - SC - Battles, incredible maturity and evolution there bro.
"“I, The Mask” demonstrates how versatile In Flames have now become, heavy, brutal riffs with catchy, wailing, harmonious vocal lines. What’s not to love?"
Nothing if you aren't into metal or good singing, I guess!
"The album concludes with “Stay With Me” a downbeat acoustic symphony that highlights Anders new vocal ability and shows that they could probably write a ballad… if they really wanted too!"
What, like Satellites & Astronauts, Dawn of a New Day, Metaphor, Evil in a Closet, Come Clarity, The Chosen Pessimist, Liberation, and most of Siren Charms? Has this idiot actually listened to literally any of the IF back catalogue?
"Production on “I, The Mask” is stunningly good. Some of the best I’ve heard in a long time"
Actually, judging by this he doesn't listen to much music at all.
"I can’t understand the metal “purists” who ridiculed In Flames going down a more mainstream route."
Probably because you haven't listened to any songs prior to this album.
"Yeah, it’s not traditional “Death Metal”, and maybe they sold out, so what? Who can blame them?"
Just...
In short, reviewers are idiots and make people like Slave, Phobiac and Ciko look totally unbiased and reasonable.
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/in_flames-i_the_mask
"One thing I, The Mask does do well is maintain a lyrical theme throughout, one that is somewhat compelling, too. The album offers some astute social commentary that doesn't come across as sanctimonious"
oh yeah, those deep social commentaries. Anders the philosopher.https://www.getsomemagazine.com/album-review-in-flames-i-the-mask/
"Yep, they’re still legends.
Thirteen albums later, the greatest Swedish melodic death metal band, In Flames is still crushing it. Releasing worldwide on March 1st, 2019, ‘I, The Mask’ breaks new ground as In Flames constantly tweaks and evolves their phenomenal sound."
"The tone of In Flames’ music has softened over the years while maintaining a consistent musical heaviness that keeps the band in the “melodic death metal” genre."
Oh yeah, SOAPF, SC and Battles, Melodic Death Metal classics
"The clean guitar intro on the song “Follow Me” reminded me a lot of “Sleepless Again” on their 2006 album A Sense of Purpose."
Here I was thinking their 2006 album was Come Clarity. They must have just released ASOP twice.
"Beautiful guitar licks constantly sweep through In Flames’ new songs in between Anders Fridén’s dramatic vocals. Anders Fridén has greatly expanded his vocal capabilities on ‘I, The Mask’. His wonderful voice ranges from sounding broken and hopeless like at the beginning of “All The Pain,” to the classic heavy metal Anders in “I Am Above.” Although Anders’ clean singing capabilities have improved album by album, the range and control of his voice truly shines on I, The Mask."
Dramatic vocals
I guess that's one way of putting it."Even in their vulnerable sounding songs like, “All The Pain,” In Flames manages to quickly transform the song from sad to another heavy In Flames classic"
Yeah man, All The Pain is up there with classics like Jotun, Colony, Only For The Weak, etc for sure.
"Album after killer album, In Flames, manages to change their sound for the better"
Yeah, definitely better to change from Clayman to what we have now. So much improved.
"Purist In Flames fans may not respect the changes In Flames has made over the years, insisting on old albums like The Lunar Strain and The Jester Race but the true fans are absolutely going to love this album."
Guess I'm not a true fan, guys
https://metalwani.com/2019/02/review-in-flames-i-the-mask.html
"‘I Mask’, a beast of a record with a heart at the center of it, In Flames triumph by making it a lucky thirteen."
Oh yeah, nothing says "beast record" like over half the songs being slow, mid tempo ballads. Fucking beastly.
"Fans are then introduced to a clear album standout in leading single, and one of the more mainstream tracks, “(This Is Our) House”. Packed with violent verses and a recurring, singalong chorus by vocalist AndersFrieden, you would be lying if you said it hadn’t hooked you in the first time around."
So not only am I not a true fan, but I'm apparently also a liar. Bad times.
"There’s an inevitable level of scorn dribbled from the mouths of metal elitists toward any heavy band with mainstream aspirations. Just as there were with Metallica. But if elitism is all that is keeping you from expanding your scope of experience, you’re missing out in the case of ‘I, The Mask’, an album that balances both ends of the metal spectrums."
If Elitist is liking good music then yeah, I guess I am missing out.
https://crypticrock.com/in-flames-i-the-mask-album-review/
"Pioneers of the Swedish Melodic Death Metal scene, the band formed back in 1990 in Gothenburg. Shortly thereafter, they delivered their debut album, Lunar Strain, in 1994, and would go on to release a truly impressive 11 additional albums over the next 22 years – including 2002’s Reroute to Remain, 2006’s Come Clarity, 2011’s Sounds of a Playground Fading, and, most recently, 2016’s Battles."
Why randomly list these albums?
strange."There’s an almost delicate 1980’s Thrash influence to the band’s fancy fretwork on the verses of “Call My Name,”
80's thrash? Are you fucking joking?
" it paves the way for the inspirational “Follow Me,” which urges listeners to find a home away from their sorrows, to overcome the darkness in their souls."
Oh wow, amazing. Thanks for being such an inspiration, Anders.
"Continuing this anthemic feel is “(This is Our) House.” Here, amongst pummeling rhythms, gang vocals add a sense of urgency to the band’s plea that, yes, this is a fight for our lives."
What is a fight for their lives? They're recording the song in LA whilst sipping on Starbucks and liking instagram posts of Bryce Paul and Tanner Wayne surfing at the beach. They aren't exactly fighting in Syria.
"This perfectly flows into the melodies of “We Will Remember,” and the gentle-swaying lament of “In This Life.” Truth be told, the latter track could easily be the newest Good Charlotte tune."
I assume that last sentence is an insult?
"There is absolutely nothing amiss with I, The Mask."
Absolutely nothing. Right. Except in the very next sentence...
"However, for a band known for their eclectic abilities to cross genres fluidly and with finesse, it all feels a bit generic and lacking in the panache that fans have come to expect from the legendary In Flames. "
So that's something pretty fucking big to be amiss, isn't it?!
https://metalreport.co.uk/in-flames-i-the-mask-review/
"Pushing boundaries, exploring new avenues and kicking down doors. 10/10"
It's a review written by ThePhobiac! Kidding bro, but seriously, you know you're about to be fed some foul smelling bullshit when that is the first sentence.
"With each new In Flames album comes a new evolution in feel and songwriting maturity."
Oh yeah, that evolution from SOAPF - SC - Battles, incredible maturity and evolution there bro.
"“I, The Mask” demonstrates how versatile In Flames have now become, heavy, brutal riffs with catchy, wailing, harmonious vocal lines. What’s not to love?"
Nothing if you aren't into metal or good singing, I guess!
"The album concludes with “Stay With Me” a downbeat acoustic symphony that highlights Anders new vocal ability and shows that they could probably write a ballad… if they really wanted too!"
What, like Satellites & Astronauts, Dawn of a New Day, Metaphor, Evil in a Closet, Come Clarity, The Chosen Pessimist, Liberation, and most of Siren Charms? Has this idiot actually listened to literally any of the IF back catalogue?
"Production on “I, The Mask” is stunningly good. Some of the best I’ve heard in a long time"
Actually, judging by this he doesn't listen to much music at all.
"I can’t understand the metal “purists” who ridiculed In Flames going down a more mainstream route."
Probably because you haven't listened to any songs prior to this album.
"Yeah, it’s not traditional “Death Metal”, and maybe they sold out, so what? Who can blame them?"
Just...
In short, reviewers are idiots and make people like Slave, Phobiac and Ciko look totally unbiased and reasonable.
