In Flames

Subterranean (Wrong Again)
by Scott Hefflon

Occasionally, a band comes along that renews your faith in beautiful, extremely heavy metal. In Flames uses guitar melody so touchingly, it brings a tear to even the most jaded metal aficionado’s eye. Without resorting to cheese ballads, In Flames fuse the acoustically adept style of Fates Warning with the reaping riffs of chaotic Kreator. The production of each is amazing. Crystal clear and tight are the instrumentals, raw and crisp are the Helloween-esque singing guitars. And, to name-drop just a bit more, the vocals are reminiscent of early Kreator, Whiplash, or more recently, At the Gates. My favorite vocal style. Not the demon roar currently en vogue which, of course, has merit, but the screechy howl you don’t hear much anymore.

While you may have to rummage through the import bins in many an independent store to find Subterranean, I strongly recommend you do so, oh purveyors of great metal. It may be only 21 minutes long, but it’s an inspiring 21 minutes. It is records like this that make me seriously consider starting a record mail order – I wish you luck finding In Flames in a store near you.