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© Nuclear Blast 2000
IN FLAMES
Clayman
As the Swedish scene continues to open up new doors to progression it isn't at all a shock to here veteran band's like IN FLAMES producing more readily accessible material like that featured on this, their latest creation. Clayman essentially picks up where Colony left off. This time however, I think its rather clear that the melodic trend has become the overriding factor above all else in the band's music. The album opens up with a classic riff and I was a bit surprised to hear the guitars not weighing out as heavily as I had expected. Not to insinuate that this isn't heavy because its not too far off from what the band sounded like on Colony. There is just a more refined feel the overall sound and stylistically it achieves the same level of credibility as the aforementioned album. The first five tracks are the best on the eleven included on the album and probably the catchiest the band have ever written. "Only For The Weak" is an anthem like piece that should have every listener singing in unison. As expected, the musicianship is at it's expected level, though I confess that the leads were not quite what I had heard on Colony. The album taken as whole, doesn't impress me as much as the last two releases by IN FLAMES but doesn't at all dissappoint either. I suspect some fans will feel the band is moving ever closer to a more commercialized form of Metal and while some attributes may suggest that, my best advice is to just grab this one and enjoy it like you've enjoyed all the others. Rack another one for IN FLAMES!
