In Flames

Whoracle (Nuclear Blast)
by Scott Hefflon

Oh yeah, I needed this! Having a few problems with sections of last year’s The Jester Race (mostly the almost Poison-ish flair for certain guitar melodies and the sweeping guitar interplay that, for some reason, reminded me of Steve Stevens’ Top Gun theme), I’m stoked to see In Flames re-establish themselves as melodic death metal masters. Perhaps some fans didn’t have such difficulty making the transition from snakespit vocalist to laryngitis powermetal, but I sure did. Whoracle, again, speeds through desolate landscapes, stops at a rest area and cavorts in the bushes, then jams the high-octane metal monster back into overdrive again. “Dialogue with the Stars” is a pleasant instrumental, a somewhat gay dance, naked, carefree, and joyous, while “Food for the Gods” and “Morphing into Primal” rage through thrashy paces, similar to the good old days of Kreator. But it’s the progressive metal moments, where a fixation with death and the pagan celebration of life meet, where In Flames burns its brightest. Blending the best of melodic speedmetal with touches of symphonic death, “Worlds Within the Margin” stands out as another path the band could follow, were they to choose to. A flicker in the flame, so to speak. The closing instrumental, “Whoracle,” repeats a sweet acoustic guitar line as tribal drumming builds and angels sing softly, fading in and out like a passing dream. A beautiful fade out ending to a powerful album.

This review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the cover of Depeche Mode’s “Everything Counts.” To think that, aside from me, there’s a crossover between In Flames fans and people who’ve secretly drawn inspiration from that song for years is, well, perhaps we don’t have to feel so alone anymore. A great song to begin with, In Flames’ version captures the glory of the chorus, embellishing it with chugging guitars, dueling solos, hyperspeed strummings, and bellowing roars. This cover must be heard to fully be appreciated. It’s destined for mixed tapes passed around the world.