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By JEFF MAKI
Anyone who frequents Live-Metal.net will know that we're some of In Flames strongest supporters. Having caught on late with the band for the release of Reroute To Remain I've been a huge fan ever since. After going back and purchasing their entire back catalogue and then hearing their last release Soundtrack To Your Escape it's a foregone conclusion that In Flames are clearly innovators and have influenced the entire underground metal scene. And what makes In Flames such a great band is that they're not afraid to experiment while at the same time staying true to their roots. STYE was the band's most experimental release and their most accessible album thus far, somewhat making it's way into the mainstream. They also earned their first major U.S. exposure with a slot on Ozzfest 2005.
That brief history brings us to the 2006 release, Come Clarity. For those worried that the band would become concerned with breaking more into the mainstream or getting U.S. radio play, there is no cause for concern. When the opening riff starts up for 'Take This Life' it's clear that In Flames have gone in the complete opposite direction. Come Clarity sees the band revisiting it's roots somewhat, a combination of melodic death metal and thrash while still retaining some of the more recent elements of the last two releases. An emphasis is made more on guitarwork and musicianship just as the band had promised, rather than on soaring and memorable choruses. This kind of works in both ways. While it is a welcome sound to hear the band just shredding again, complete with guitar solos and Colony-style material, the choruses are much shorter and less involved therefore not making the songs very memorable after first listen. Old school fans will most likely rejoice at this while some newer fans make have too take a few listens to really hear everything going on. Don't get me wrong, the choruses and Anders' vocals are still there, just not at the forefront like on RTR or STYE. Anders Friden's trademark screams are all over this release with clean vocals thrown in here and there. The clean vocals this time around are not Korn-esque and many fans will be happy about this. They are more of a clearer Deftones style and it works very well.
The lead single and album opener "Take This Life"' has a "Watch Them Feed" type structure and the most memorable chorus of the album. "Leeches" is a heavy-ass mid paced Pantera-esque track while "Reflect The Storm" seems to show off a very emotional side with Ander's lyrics. The lightning fast "Dead End" features some awesome female vocal parts, and the band pulls this off very well, it being one of the more stronger tracks. "Scream" I could've done without. There's not much to it really and the lyrics are kind of generic. The title track, "Come Clarity" seems to be fit for FM radio, and may be the most accessible track on here. Brilliant acoustic guitar work combine with vocals reminiscent of "Dawn Of A New Day" and make for a surprising power ballad! "Vacuum," "Pacing Death's Trail" and "Versus Terminus" sound like they could've been on any past In Flames recording and are all strong. "Crawl Through Knives" features one of those soaring In Flames trademark choruses and after a few listens it will be stuck in your head.
Fans new and old will be into this record big time and the band has once again proved why they are at the top of their game. Some will say that the band has come full circle now with this release while others will say that it's just the next step for this great band. With a new U.S. label (Ferret Music) strongly behind this album, it should be enough of a push for the band to get even closer to the top.
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