Siren Charms

Astounding, that's the first word that pops into my head. I say that as I bought several albums at the same time and all arrived together. All had been firm favourite bands of mine, but after a first listen, only this album came close to twitching the old heart strings. I say that ironically as it didn't just twitch them, it gave them a good old butchering.I've been a fan of In Flames since Soundtrack to Your Escape, and I know already people will be saying, 'he knows nothing, how can he, not even entering at Whoracle or Clayman', but we all start where we start, and as a rebuttal, I have all the back catalogue, so there!!But back to the album in question, it is the most accomplished, most rounded album they've done in my opinion, focused, heavy yet melodic when needed, the addition of the occasional female vocal isn't over used as some bands seem to fall victim of as their careers drag on, it is used to heighten and enhance the music, and used very well.To be honest, after the last couple of albums, though I enjoyed them, I was reluctant to jump on buying this album, I knew I'd get it in time, but I was in no rush. That isn't saying that the last two albums weren't good, they were, they were just very, well, 'In Flames' I didn't feel any real progression, no striving for something new, a new goal to reach, inspiration to feed.But this album, it takes all the good things about the band and builds on them, it is really that good. Though parts are more melodic, more ballad based, there are heavier sections that I think challenge anything they've done before.The writing is better, the music is stronger and the experience is a blinder.Buy it, what's the worst that could happen? Trust me, I'm not a doctor.

Ok so a new In Flames album, slightly slower paced and on the face of it maybe more commercial sounding. So far so bad - not the direction I'd been hoping for, although I'd expected it. It arrived, I played it, nervous with expectation and worry they couldn't live up to what's gone before. And I was seriously underwhelmed...went back to blasting the latest Equillibrium album, for the first time disappointed in an In Flames album.Then another try...ok it's not that bad. A few good hooks in there, maybe all is not lost.Fast forward to now...I pretty much have the thing on a constant loop in my car and am singing along like a madman. Every track is ingrained on my brain. I should have trusted them. Turns out it's my album of the year so far.A grower (and then some). Won't detail every track but as no-ones mentioned it will extol the virtues of "Monsters in the ballroom" as an overlooked new In Flames classic.Bands like In Flames are why I love music...not content to just cover old ground, they change with every album, but you can still hear the inherent In Flames-iness throughout.And there was me worrying...

I've grown to LOVE this album. I waited for it for a long time and was originally disappointed (I canceled my pre-order after hearing it)However, this is just the next step for In Flames and it's a great album after you give it a chance.If you love In Flames and feel this album is "wrong" then you've not been listening to the band properly all this time. They change, adapt and develop constantly. Anders and Bjorn have been very outspoken with this album and are noted as saying that they don't want to create "version 2" of ANY of their albums. This is a strong album with some great songs. Musically brilliant, Anders vocals are a bit weak though. Take what you will from this messy review!

Not their best album but still good, in flames we trust.

Perfect.

In Flames. A group of guys that have a long and respected history as pioneers in melodic death metal. Oh how we loved their old albums. How we listened to Clayman and Whoracle and thought, damn, this is good. This is really good. But in recent years, they have had an annoying habbit of peaking and flowing. From Come Clarity to A Sense of Purpose with a little bit of Sounds of a Playground Fading in between, In Flames' fairly recent songs have seemed to shoot off in various directions, as though the guys in the band don't really know what to agree on. But when Siren Charms finally graced the shelves and CD racks of metal heads everywhere, it became clear. In Flames' metal roots had died and were long gone. Goodbye to Anders' screams. Goodbye to everything really. In Flames had finally discovered what it was like to be an alternative rock band. We all knew it was coming. It just seemed strange when the moment finally arrived. Don't think i'm saying this is a bad album. That's not what i'm implying at all. This album is amazing.........but as a standard rock album. I have hopes and dreams that they know what they're doing. In fact, i'm almost 100% sure they do, but untill the time comes that In Flames release an album that blows me away, i'm not going to call them a metal band anymore.

Amazing album, I love it!! Literally playing it on repeat, not as heavy as usal but just brilliant!

People have been saying this isn't heavy enough, but honestly I love this. Unmistakably In Flames and it's fantastic!