Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Running Wolf's Rant
    Latest News
    • Britney Meistre heads to Hollywood to record “By My Side”
    • Artists Announced for MTN Bushfire Festival 2022
    • David Kramer Reik Liedjie Uit Vir Eseltjiesrus se Donkies
    • Nomadic Orchestra release flavourful album: “Out & About”
    • Emerger Prepares For Take-Off With “Aeroplane Park”
    • Amy Lilley releases new single: “Video Games”
    • Jeremy Loops Colabs With Ed Sheeran on “Better Together”
    • Nibs Van Der Spuy releases “Maiden of the river”
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS TikTok
    Home
    • Categories
      • Entertainment
      • Facts
      • General News
      • Hacks
      • Opinion
      • Photography
      • Quotes
      • Technology
    • Pages
      • Interesting Music Facts
      • Music Events
      • South African Artists & Bands
      • South African Live Music Events, Venues & Festivals
      • Submit Music Facts
      • Submit Music Festival Stories
    • Featured
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    Subscribe
    Running Wolf's Rant
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    Home»Entertainment»Music»Album Review: In Flames – I, The Mask

    Album Review: In Flames – I, The Mask

    Peter ToussaintBy Peter ToussaintMar 7, 2019 Music 3 Comments3 Mins Read20 Views
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Email Telegram WhatsApp

    Over the past 10 years Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames have regularly been roasted for deviating from their roots and creating more standard alternative metal. Let’s see if this trend is continued on β€œI, The Mask” (their latest album).

    Here’s my review of In Flames – I, The Mask

    The album opens with a strong β€˜Voices’ and I hear the melodic metal I would expect. I think everything is right with this track.

    Title track β€˜I, The Mask’ continues this way. Fast and heavy, vocals only sung in the chorus (with keyboards), the verses screamed. Bridge, solo, all good.

    β€˜Call My Name’ is for me the best track. It’s complete, all I want from melodic metal (and I hear a definitive Dream Theatre influence).

    β€˜I Am Above’ shows a more mainstream chorus but it’s surrounded by biting verses and a nice guitar solo.

    In β€˜Follow Me’ we land in ballad country, including the obligatory acoustic guitar and keyboard tapestry. Double time bass drum on the chorus does not change that fact.

    In Flames

    On β€˜(This is Our) House’ I hear what the critics were on about. A poppy chorus, no direction of style. Hmmm nuff said.

    Down tuned β€˜We will Remember’ is in my opinion a filler around an in itself interesting guitar riff. But so much more could have been done.

    β€˜In This Life’ is also one of those generic metal songs. What happened after those few first songs with the band? And what to do with a song when you don’t know anymore? You modulate..

    β€˜Burn’. Ahhhhh there we are, back on track. Fast, screaming over a constantly running guitar line.

    In Flames - I, The Mask

    β€˜Deep Inside’ could have been a great song if they had worked it out a bit better. The poppy chorus of the song kinda destroys it.

    β€˜All The Pain’ consists of two power ballads that were glued together with Swedish metal.

    Last song β€˜Stay With Me’ is the return to full ballad mode. Yes, the acoustic guitar is back as well. Not sure what this song is adding to this In Flames album?

    Conclusion

    All in all, In Flames partially returns to their roots. I understand where the criticism comes from but I’m not a hardcore death metal fan. But when the band leaves their core business, they are no longer on top of their game.

    At least, when they are at their worst they still have songs that consist of verses, choruses, bridges and solos. And for me that always makes it far more interesting than a lot of mediocre crap that we find in mainstream music.

    Do you agree or disagree with me about this In Flames album? Leave a comment below and let me know. Feedback is appreciated and welcome.

    Watch this space for updates in the Music category onΒ Running Wolf’s Rant.

    Get updates via email
    Death Metal In Flames Metal Reviews Sweden
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous Article7 Advantages of Online Casinos over Land-Based Casinos
    Next Article 6 Tips to Create an Engaging Email Marketing Campaigns
    Peter Toussaint
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Musician. Music Critic. Born and bred in Holland, but living in South Africa

    Related Posts

    Album Review: Cage The Elephant – Social Cues

    Jul 15, 20192 Mins Read

    Howlin’ Good #2: Diamond Thug, Wonderboom, Alex Lahey & In Flames

    Feb 22, 20195 Mins Read24 Views

    Album Review: Hellcats – The Hex and The Healer

    Feb 21, 20193 Mins Read25 Views

    Album Review: Bring Me The Horizon – amo

    Feb 7, 20193 Mins Read25 Views

    Album Review: Peter Toussaint – One Day

    Mar 8, 20183 Mins Read30 Views

    Photo Album: In Flames @ RAMFest 2012 Johannesburg

    Mar 13, 20122 Mins Read33 Views

    3 Comments

    1. Darius Oosthuizen on Mar 7, 2019 7:39 PM

      I absolutely love Lamb of God and I agree with some things you say, but I think this album is a masterpiece. They are evolving with the times. Not too much, but just enough. They do not sell out completely, like (in my opinion) Bring Me The Horizon. I also love Mark Morton’s new album, which has something of everything too. I would love to read your opinion about that album. Thanks Peter.

      Darius
      Host of SuperRockShow on SME Fusion Radio.

      Reply
    2. Darius Oosthuizen on Mar 8, 2019 8:10 PM

      Haha… I just noticed I said Lamb Of God instead of In Flames in my previous comment… Not sure if I can edit it after the fact. I was also listening to Lamb Of God just before I read the article, so I just got confused when I wrote the comment… Apologies!!!

      Reply
      • Henno Kruger on Mar 9, 2019 9:16 PM

        All good πŸ™‚ Haha πŸ˜€

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You Might Like

    ‘n Vinnige Geselsie met Dawie De Jager

    Feb 2, 201816 Views

    Park Acoustics: A quick chat with Oh Those Guys

    Oct 2, 201812 Views

    Review: Dirty Rotten Tequila Festival 2018

    Apr 26, 201816 Views

    My 14 Favourite Photos of 2017

    Dec 22, 201730 Views

    Game Review – The Order: 1886

    Feb 3, 20169 Views
    Subscribe
    Get updates via email
    You Might Also Like

    Emalahleni (Witbank): 10 Facts You Might Not Know

    Dec 12, 2020182 Views

    4 Of The Biggest Distractions Remote Workers Struggle With

    Jul 7, 2021

    The year that was 2016

    Dec 30, 20165 Views

    8 Notable Events From the 2010s

    Feb 7, 202022 Views

    6 Notable Events in 1990

    Oct 2, 201931 Views
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    About Running Wolf’s Rant
    About Running Wolf's Rant

    Running Wolf's Rant has been covering the South African Music Scene and featuring interesting, funny and engaging content since 2008.

    Feel free to explore the various sections and categories. We hope that you find something howling good while you're exploring. Please share posts that you find interesting with your friends on Social Media. Share buttons are provided.

    Featured Posts

    Photo Album: Seether at Oppikoppi 2012 Sweet Thing

    Aug 20, 201212 Views

    The Guild – Do You Wanna Date My Avatar (Video)

    Aug 19, 200945 Views

    Photo Album: Hatfield Carnival 2011

    Feb 16, 201132 Views
    Recent Posts

    Disney+ Makes Smooth Arrival in South Africa

    May 19, 202233 Views

    Britney Meistre heads to Hollywood to record “By My Side”

    May 17, 202245 Views

    The Best Time For A Deep Sea Fishing Trip In Australia

    May 14, 202212 Views
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    © 2022 Running Wolf's Rant. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.