The In Flames in 2014 is not the same band that brought us Reroute to Remain or The Jester Race. Following Sounds of a Playground Fading, Siren Charms was released on 9/9/2014 via Sony Music. Come Clarity was actually my first album by this band, and I fell in love with divergent and interesting guitar riffs and Anders’ unique sandpaper vocals. Despite their departure from their melodic death metal roots beginning with Reroute to Remain, In Flames has always remained relevant due to their captivating and unique sound signature. Since the early 2000s, with the emergence of many metalcore, deathcore, and even melodic death metal bands, we have seen a rise in bands that completely disregard innovation and simply adhere to the formulaic expression setup by their pioneers. Job for a Cowboy, All That Remains, At the Gates, and In Flames were these pioneers. Throughout the years, despite multiple lineup and sound signature changes, In Flames has always stayed true to themselves and continued to produce quality, inspirational, and innovative music… and then Siren Charms came out. Disappointment is an understatement of how I, and many other fans of In Flames felt, when the band decided to take the “alternative” route and release a record so bland and generic to the point that it simply doesn’t belong in the In Flames discography. Continue reading →