In Flames – A Sense Of Purpose

When you’re talking about In Flames, the opinions are always divided. Older fans hate the new and more melodic direction the band went in with albums such as “Clayman” and “Soundtrack To Your Escape” while others loved it. With “Come Clarity” the band seemed to go back to a more aggressive sound which gave people new hope. But on their new album “A Sense Of Purpose” they went the other way again and made a very accessible and highly melodic album.

On their new album which they recorded in their own studio with Daniel Bergstrand, they focus on writing downright catchy yet still somewhat heavy songs. Chances are real metalheads will frown at this but I really enjoyed “A Sense Of Purpose”. There are still plenty of powerfull riffs and guitar solos but just like Soilwork, In Flames likes to incorporate singalong choruses that get stuck in your head.

Sure, things may sound alike towards the end but songs like “Alias” and the 8-minutes-long “The Chosen Pessimist” show a band that has truly found its own sound. Vocalist Anders Friden has found a voice that lies somewhere between screaming and clean vocals and while many may not think much of it and go back to playing “The Jester Race”, I’m digging the vocals as much as pretty much everything else on the album.
Score: 8 out of 10
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