My good lord, this is pathetic. It saddens me that people like this give metal such a horrible name.
So challenging guitar solos and complicated riffs make a great song, hmm? If that was true, then I've got a CD by Yngwie Malmsteen, or Michael Angelo, or any other of those self indulgent pretentious wanks for you to listen to. Grow up dude. Music isn't good because of how much you can brag about how technical is, it's good because it inspires an emotional response, and personally, Figure Number 5 is just as awesome to me as Chainheart. Natural Born Chaos I don't like only because the lyrics are truly beyond stupid (WE KNOW, WHEN TO SPIT OR SWALLOW!!!!), but Figure Number 5 is an extremely unique and well written album, and the layering and counterpoint effects, as well as the use of keyboards separates them from the group and makes for a genuinely enjoyable experience. It's a natural evolution, and I'm damn happy about it.
As for new In Flames, I can't deny Anders' Jonathan Davis-esque vocals really do push my buttons, but there are some real gems on Reroute (Trigger, Reroute to Remain, Cloud Connected, Free Fall) and Soundtrack (The Quiet Place, MY SWEET SHADOW, In Search for I). And while I don't care for the song "Touch of Red," it's the band having a sense of humor and a good time! God forbid a metal band that doesn't take everything they do as seriously as possible and can actually have a lighthearted joke.
Finally, isn't this a Katatonia thread?