Hmmm, as this is my first post (here anyway), I want you to know that this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less.
First off, let's start with the my opinion about The Quiet Place. Let's say I love this promo. I think In Flames have finally found their style. No, it's not nu-metal. No, it's not the classical Swedish death metal. You see, that nu-metal stuff is all about agression, stupid idiotic agression, the songs aren't really that complicated, the vocals are more straight forewarded than TQP. In Flames have their own feeling, identity, that not ONE nu-metal band is gona achieve. The songs in TQP are more pushed towards showing the band's feelings. As, in a interview for a Bulgarian metal magazine, Bjorn said: "In Flames is all about melodies and feelings". The melody is there, the feelings are there. Oh, yes their older stuff is extreamly good, and I agree with you, but what would separate In Flames from Dark Tranquillity, The Duskfall, Mourning Caress to name a few, if they continued to release albums as The Jester Race. Like any other band In Flames are looking for identity, and they have found it. They've found it since they started the NWOSDM, but they've decided to let other follow the path they've carved. They decided to "evolve" as you say. Well, that doesn't mean that they'll evolve in a better way, and if you don't like what they are doing now, just don't listen to them. The music is not so complicated? Yes, well, if you want to find one minute solos in every song, go listen to Dream Theater (actually their solos are longer). You don't have to make extreamly complicated music, to show your feelings, your emotions.
I can't wait for this album, this promo just showed me what I already knew: In Flames aren't going to follow any thrends, they are going to do what they want no matter what we, the fans, do.
Oh, and the comparsion to Passenger isn't accurate. TQP have more harder riffs, the guitar work is promoted to a higher level, while there Passenger's guitars weren't payd so much attention, they are simplier. The overall sound of TQP is more harder, more thicker, if I can express myself that way...
That's all from me...