Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
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0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

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Band
In Flames
Title
Sounds of a Playground Fading
Type
LP/EP
Company
Century Media
YOR
2011
Style
Hard Rock
8/5/2011 - Review by: Eric Compton
In Flames
Sounds of a Playground Fading

Company: Century Media Records
Release: 2011
Genre: Hard Rock
Reviewer: Nailer

  • Gothenburg-lite



  • Older In Flames fans light up the forums with every new release thinking they're going to put out another copy of "The Jester Race" or "Whoracle" when there has been a matching number of experimental releases since 02's "Reroute to Remain". I understand people want more of what nourishes their soul and occasionally a return to form is accomplished (Megadeth, Accept), but In Flames is too noetic to move back to the past with their catalog. The time comes when you have to get off the melodic-death tit and move on already.

    Personally, I wouldn't even call "Sounds of a Playground Fading" melodic thrash which is what they morphed into once the death left altogether. I'm not sure what I'd call this really, maybe progressive metal, which isn't an insult...maybe even hard rock or Gothenburg-lite.

    Unfortunately, the band has begun to eat itself with some guitar work and riffs; compare "Where the Dead Ships Dwell" with scale play of the earlier "A Touch of Red". "The Attic" and "Jester's Door" (a letter from Jesper Strömblad?) attempt the mood of prior "Your Bedroom Story Is Scaring Everyone", but just don't have the spooks. "Liberation" is way too close to being a pop rock single for my tastes.

    Regardless of the cannibalism, I'm a personal fan of mid-career In Flames and Anders Friden's voice in all his permutations from smooth to rough to angry to desperate. The familiar frosty (an EC favorite word) metal guitar tone is there and so are the electronic squeaks, pops and whistles that colored their mid-releases. The vocal melodies that permeate SOAPF are abundant, especially in the catchy choruses.

    If you like comparisons, put it as a meld of "Soundtrack to Your Escape" and "Come Clarity" which ultimately works for me.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      3.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: IN FLAMES
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    A Sense of Purpose
    2008
    Nuclear Blast
    Frank Hill6/12/2008
    3
    Battles
    2016
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton1/19/2017
    3
    Come Clarity
    2006
    Ferret Records
    Frank Hill3/8/2006
    -
    Lunar Strain/Subterranean (Reissues)
    2005
    Candlelight
    Eric Compton6/17/2005
    -
    Reroute to Remain
    2002
    Nuclear Blast
    Frank Hill2/4/2003
    4
    Reroute to Remain
    2002
    Nuclear Blast
    Guest1/21/2003
    4
    Siren Charms
    2014
    Sony Music
    Frank Hill10/20/2014
    3
    Sounds of a Playground Fading
    2011
    Century Media
    Eric Compton8/5/2011
    3.5
    Soundtrack to Your Escape
    2004
    Nuclear Blast
    Greg Watson4/30/2004
    -
    The Mirror's Truth
    2008
    Nuclear Blast
    Frank Hill3/14/2008
    4
    Trigger EP
    2003
    Nuclear Blast
    Frank Hill2/20/2004
    -

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: IN FLAMES
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Anders FridenGreg Watson7/9/2004


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