Never ones to stand still, In Flames have had a somewhat tumultuous career. Since helping create, modify and perfect the Gothenburg death metal sound with the immortal triptych of 'The Jester Race', 'Whoracle' and 'Colony' the band have, in the eyes of many, stretched to unfathomable lengths to piss their fans off.
Dabbling with electronics and the excessive use of clean vocals while almost completely abandoning the genre they were once kings of, the Swedes have been content to play a dangerous game. Following guitar kingpin Jesper Strömblad's departure and a ghoulishly pedestrian release in the form of 'Sounds Of A Playground Fading', are In Flames actually relevant anymore?
This depends entirely on your definition of 'relevant'. If you think it means writing world-class, genre-busting melodic death metal in the form of 'Come Clarity', then no, they’re not. But In Flames have always been about innovation and re-invention and, as a result, 'Siren Charms' is a logical – and far superior – successor to that album, backing up their approach somewhat.
The melodies present in the band’s early work largely erupted from their guitar harmonies, but here we find the band capitalising on Anders Fridén's knack for an insane vocal hook.
The chorus to opener In Plain View is catchy enough to send you running to your local clinic and is the most infectious, anthemic tune they've penned post-'Come Clarity'. Backed by those trademark guitar harmonies, courtesy of Björn Gelotte, and preceded by electronics begging to be included on the next Tekken soundtrack, it is an undeniably positive start.
Old-school fans won't find much to enjoy after that. But, pardon the turn of phrase, fuck those guys. This is an In Flames party and we're all invited. Lead single Rusted Nail is totally unlike anything the band have penned in the past and nestles in the ear with an industrial, almost gothic swagger during its pre-chorus. Meanwhile, a balls-to-the-wall assault during Monsters In The Ballroom exhibits Fridén's seldom-heard scream, juxtaposing with the inevitable soaring chorus.
Unfortunately, the band's reliance on Fridén's croon is the main problem dragging 'Siren Charms' down. Duly, Through Oblivion is almost too basic and exposed by a bland chorus and keys reminiscent of, wait for it, Owl City. And, let's try and forget the cringe-inducing, hide-behind-your-fingers-and-forget-it-happened keyboard solo during Dead Eyes.
Ultimately, 'Siren Charms' is what you make of it. In Flames aren't the savage death metal band you used to love, so cookie monster enthusiasts better look elsewhere. The one thing that's obvious about this album, though, is that it's instantly recognisable as In Flames. They may have changed a hell of a lot over the past two decades, but this is the sound of a band in a genre of their own, whether you like it or not.
In Flames Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu October 16 2014 - MANCHESTER Ritz
Fri October 17 2014 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
Sat October 18 2014 - LONDON O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
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