In Flames
Sounds of a Playground Fading
Release Date: Jun 21, 2011
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Death Metal, Scandinavian Metal
Record label: Century Media
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Album Review: Sounds of a Playground Fading by In Flames
Fairly Good, Based on 3 Critics
Based on rating 3.5/5
Founding guitarist Jesper Strömblad quit this hugely influential Swedish band last year, but his absence doesn’t keep his bandmates from going about their business on In Flames’ 10th studio album. Sounds of a Playground Fading hews closely to the melodic-death-metal-meets-alt-rock style these guys have spearheaded since 2002’s Reroute to Remain, with crunchy riffs regularly giving way to soaring choruses that could seduce a Muse fan. On “Deliver Us,” they mix it up even more, throwing in some blippy post-rave synths for extra European élan.
Based on rating 3.0/5
Review Summary: The loss of Jesper Strömblad hasn’t altered In Flames’ vision in the slightest. In fact, it seems to have pushed them to try a little harder and tighten up their sound. Too bad Anders Fridén is still their vocalist.Whether it was the ultra-melodic death metal of The Jester Race or the electronics-laden sound of Soundtrack to Your Escape, In Flames have always managed to deliver quality music.
Opinion: Excellent
The Swedish metallers explore a fresh sound on their 10th album. Raziq Rauf 2011 There’s no way of writing about In Flames’ 10th album without mentioning the departure of founding member and lead guitarist, Jesper Strömblad. It’s understandable if your first instinct is to dismiss the efforts of a band shorn of one its most influential members; but the fact of the matter is that Sounds of a Playground Fading sounds more like a band that’s been freed of their shackles than anything else.
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