IN FLAMES - Sounds Of A Playground Fading CD Review

ARTIST: In Flames
TITLE: Sounds Of A Playground Fading
YEAR: 2011
LABEL: Century Media
REVIEWED BY: Caroline Restiaux

Whenever In Flames comes out with a new album you often wonder if they have finally returned back to their roots. Far too often you come to the realization that there is no turning back now and that the band will continue bringing something new and different to the table. Gone are the days of The Jester Race, Whoracle and Clayman and here are the new beginnings. The band has been reborn ! Now with a bit of the past and a dash of their future they have created something that will appeal to both fans new and old.

'Sounds of a Playground Fading' is another 'new' chapter in the bands history. With Jesper Stromblad no longer a part of the band the songwriting is incomparable. Bjorn Gelotte has now taken over that responsibility and long time stand-in guitarist Engel (Niclas Engelin) now becomes a permanent fixture in the band. The songwriting process has even taken a turn with more attention being focused on the vocals so much so that they have rearranged some core elements just so that the lyrics would fit perfectly.

All that being said, In Flames mean business, finally! In all honesty I found the album to start off a bit weak for my liking however mid point it begins to gain some fuel. I started to hear more of an older sound that I had come to love about the band. Clayman was probably the last CD that I liked from start to finish with songs here and there from their releases to follow. They bring it back a bit with this release but don't quite hit the mark as of yet. I am happy that there is an older sound mixed with something new here.

Anders seems to have gained some more energy at the same time his clean vocals have gotten better. The cd includes some great harmonies and choruses to boot. Enter Tragedy is my fave hands down and proves that they still do have all the tools to put out great hits. A New Dawn, Darker Times, Where The Dead Ships Dwell are definitely songs to listen to. Jester's Door is a song with purpose or should I say with a message speaking of Jesters departure. It's a unique piece which shows respect to him and I found it to be very classy of the guys to include such a piece.

In Flames have managed to write something memorable while maintaining the heavy yet melodic elements in their songs. Their career is about to take a turn for the better. 'Sounds of a Playground Fading' is unmistakeably worth a listen for metal fans everywhere!

TRACKLISTING:

01. Sounds Of A Playground Fading
02. Deliver Us
03. All For Me
04. The Puzzle
05. Fear Is The Weakness
06. Where The Dead Ships Dwell
07. The Attic
08. Darker Times
09. Ropes
10. Enter Tragedy
11. Jester's Door
12. A New Dawn
13. Liberation