In Flames

• Genre: Metal
• Hometown: Gothenburg
• In Flames Website

About

Along with At the Gates, In Flames rule the fertile Swedish metal scene with an iron fist. Darkened keyboard introductions lay an ominous feeling of dread over your soul, but come nowhere near preparing you for the coming assault. Seemingly without warning, frantic guitar riffs explode with feverish intensity and lightning speed. Soon maniacal shrieks join the battle with merciless intent, growling truths that are hard to deny. Given the dramatic guitar work and structural complexity of the tunes, one would expect the lyrics to be drenched in myth and fantasy. While certainly melodramatic, the lyrics tend to focus more on personal issues than theatrical excess, lending the tunes an emotional authenticity and urgency rare in black metal. In Flames' epic style owes quite a bit to the seminal work of Iron Maiden, but reaches heights of speed and depths of evil that Maiden have yet to approach. Fierce stuff.

- Doug Russell