In Flames – I, The Mask

Label: Nuclear Blast
Releasedate: 01.03.2019

The Swedes “In Flames” make history of melodic death metal since the early 1990s. In three decades the band released twelve albums. The thirteenth “I, The Mask” is available since 1^st of March.

Have no idea why I haven’t listened to “In Flames” before (despite the fact that it’s Scandinavian and metal). So there is time to face the truth. I’m impressed.  After the opening track “Voices” I gave a chance to another material and said “yes” to half of dozen tracks.

The album combines different palettes of values: from irrational and self-destructive to creative and inspiring. Feelings, thoughts and actions mixed in soft metal core manners. Here are the inner demons, fight for a life and traumatic self-identification. Melodies are solid from the first to the last track. All the well-balanced, drastic and dramatic “I am above”, “All the pain” and “Not Alone” would stand on the shelf with other good alternative rock material. Not being a fan of heart-tearing ballads I highly recommend “Stay with me”.

You’d never know what’s under the mask of “melodic death metal” until you try “I, The Mask”.  Melodic –  yes, death – maybe, metal – absolutely.

Line up:

• Anders Fridén  – vocals
• Björn Gelotte –  guitar
• Niclas Engelin – guitar
• Bryce Paul Newman – bass
• Tanner Wayne – drums

Tracklist
01. Voices
02. I, the Mask
03. Call My Name
04. I Am Above
05. Follow Me
06. (This Is Our) House
07. We Will Remember
08. In This Life
09. Burn
10. Deep Inside
11. All the Pain
12. Stay with Me
13. Not Alone

Links:

Official
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