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In Flames - Sounds Of A Playground Fading



7 | 759 votes |
Release date: 15 June 2011
Style: Alternative metal, Gothenburg metal

Owners:

587 have it
72 want it
1 trades it


01. Sounds Of A Playground Fading
02. Deliver Us
03. All For Me
04. The Puzzle
05. Fear Is The Weakness
06. Where The Dead Ships Dwell
07. The Attic
08. Darker Times
09. Ropes
10. Enter Tragedy
11. Jester's Door
12. A New Dawn
13. Liberation

The best Alternative Metal album of 2011

Staff review by
Baz Anderson
Rating:
6.0
In Flames are a massive band, which made A Sense Of Purpose three years ago a massive disappointment to a lot of people. Three years on with a new record label and a new album Sounds Of A Playground Fading, let's see what's going on.

The album title does little for confidence, but album number ten actually isn't as bad as the title would imply. This is the same In Flames as the last albums, but the quality of songs is a level higher. The album has some nice songs on it, especially at the front and back ends with "Deliver Us" and the lively "The Puzzle" from the beginning, and "A New Dawn" near the end. There are some nice hooks and melodies here, last track "Liberation" could easily be a metal cover of a pop song. For the most part of the album, In Flames do what they have been doing quite successfully recently, which is churning out incredibly modern-sounding metal for the masses.

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published 12.06.2011 | Comments (60)

Let's nip this in the bud: this ain't no Jester Race. But ain't no A Sense of Purpose either.

Take a few deep breaths, maybe think of a nice time you spent with girl/boy/horsefriend and gently let all your preconceptions slide off you, much in the same way those lovely girls who you watch mud wrestle slide all over each other on those lonely Friday nights... I'm sure I had a point, something about the new Morbid Angel? I can't really remember. Oh yeah, the new In Flames. It's really very not bad, plenty of thick leading harmonies harking back as far as Reroute To Remain do a plenty fine job of rekindling a little bit of the love you felt for these guys.

!J.O.O.E.!'s picks | More picks ››

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Comments: 143   Visited by: 1981 users
15.11.2013 - 23:14
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by BloodJuNkie on 15.11.2013 at 17:37
...it would have been better if it wasn't In Flames.

As in another band writing this kind of album would have done a better job, or you think this album is worse than it really is simply because of the band's previous releases? I don't know if you've followed In Flames throughout their career, but they kind of abandoned the whole pure melo-death thing well before they wrote this album.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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15.11.2013 - 23:18
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
I still stand behind the idea that this album is, quoting joe, really very not bad. Reminiscent of Reroute To Remain at some points. Waaaaaaaaay better than the two previous.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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15.11.2013 - 23:58
Rating: 8
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
Written by Troy Killjoy on 15.11.2013 at 23:14

Written by BloodJuNkie on 15.11.2013 at 17:37
...it would have been better if it wasn't In Flames.

As in another band writing this kind of album would have done a better job, or you think this album is worse than it really is simply because of the band's previous releases? I don't know if you've followed In Flames throughout their career, but they kind of abandoned the whole pure melo-death thing well before they wrote this album.


Well, i lol'ed at "The best Alternative Metal album of 2011" because it's sad but true. It's a very good alternative metal album, but the sad thing is that it was made by a Melodeath band like In Flames. I hope you understood now.
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16.11.2013 - 00:03
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by BloodJuNkie on 15.11.2013 at 23:58
You didn't understand what i said, did you? Read it again.

I didn't understand, which is why I asked you to clarify in my previous post (even supplying my own two possible theories). I'm assuming you think the album would have been better if it was released by another band?
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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16.11.2013 - 00:05
Rating: 8
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 00:03

Written by BloodJuNkie on 15.11.2013 at 23:58
You didn't understand what i said, did you? Read it again.

I didn't understand, which is why I asked you to clarify in my previous post (even supplying my own two possible theories). I'm assuming you think the album would have been better if it was released by another band?


Read my earlier post I edited it the same time you were posting. ..
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16.11.2013 - 00:09
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by BloodJuNkie on 15.11.2013 at 23:58
It's a very good alternative metal album, but the sad thing is that it was made by a Melodeath band like In Flames. I hope you understood now.

I definitely understand (thanks for clearing it up), but I also think this is a weird way to look at music. Does it matter that In Flames used to write a different style of music? If you like this album for what it is, it really shouldn't matter who made it. You're judging the music based on who wrote it rather than the way it sounds, which to me seems rather odd. :/
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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16.11.2013 - 00:15
Rating: 8
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 00:09

Written by BloodJuNkie on 15.11.2013 at 23:58
It's a very good alternative metal album, but the sad thing is that it was made by a Melodeath band like In Flames. I hope you understood now.

I definitely understand (thanks for clearing it up), but I also think this is a weird way to look at music. Does it matter that In Flames used to write a different style of music? If you like this album for what it is, it really shouldn't matter who made it. You're judging the music based on who wrote it rather than the way it sounds, which to me seems rather odd. :/


Well no, i agree with you that it doesn't matter who wrote it but that's what i just said. It's a very good Alt. Metal album but it makes me feel upset that it was made by In Flames. I still like the album but i don't like the way they changed their career. Actually it's all up to them they are free to sing whatever they want but because In Flames is one of my top 5 favorite bands i feel a little bit upset. Still a very good alternative metal album.
And btw, i think the upcoming album will be the same. There are too many people who appreciate SOAPF, i hate that but that means there's no way to see old In Flames again. Anders's voice has changed a little bit too it's not the same as he was in The Jester Race for example.
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16.11.2013 - 00:22
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by BloodJuNkie on 16.11.2013 at 00:15
...there's no way to see old In Flames again.

Exactly, and at least you understand that! I'm not sure whether it's more funny or pathetic to read about people waiting for another Whoracle... it's just not gonna happen.

It's a risk any time a band as big as In Flames changes their sound. Do you keep the name for marketing purposes or do you change it so fans no longer associate you with previous releases? I personally haven't done any research into their record sales, but I don't imagine it was the best decision for them (reputation-wise at least) to remain as In Flames.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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16.11.2013 - 00:30
Rating: 8
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 00:22

Written by BloodJuNkie on 16.11.2013 at 00:15
...there's no way to see old In Flames again.

Exactly, and at least you understand that! I'm not sure whether it's more funny or pathetic to read about people waiting for another Whoracle... it's just not gonna happen.

It's a risk any time a band as big as In Flames changes their sound. Do you keep the name for marketing purposes or do you change it so fans no longer associate you with previous releases? I personally haven't done any research into their record sales, but I don't imagine it was the best decision for them (reputation-wise at least) to remain as In Flames.


I'm not 100% sure but i think their sales have increased. They are also doing some other works other than music like "The Jester's Curse" comic book, the characters' design is pretty nifty btw, and their music videos on YouTube for the new In Flames era have more views than the old era. Anyway i wish them a good luck
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16.11.2013 - 00:34
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by X-Ray Rod on 15.11.2013 at 23:18
Waaaaaaaaay better than the two previous.

Agreed 100%. This is far from brilliant but it puts those albums to shame.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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16.11.2013 - 05:59
Rating: 7
JÄY
Metal slave
Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 00:34

Written by X-Ray Rod on 15.11.2013 at 23:18
Waaaaaaaaay better than the two previous.

Agreed 100%. This is far from brilliant but it puts those albums to shame.

The prophesies did not lie....
He has returned.....
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16.11.2013 - 06:06
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by JÄY on 16.11.2013 at 05:59
The prophesies did not lie....
He has returned.....

I missed commenting on In Flames album threads too much. I had to come back.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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16.11.2013 - 06:12
Rating: 7
JÄY
Metal slave
Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 06:06

Written by JÄY on 16.11.2013 at 05:59
The prophesies did not lie....
He has returned.....

I missed commenting on In Flames album threads too much. I had to come back.

The reason I stick around, tbh
....that and the women.
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16.11.2013 - 06:19
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by JÄY on 16.11.2013 at 06:12
....that and the women.

Aye, the women!

Speaking of women, I wonder if these guys will ever venture into female vocalist territory. Someone like a Maria Brink could probably fit into their current style rather well.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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16.11.2013 - 06:24
Rating: 7
JÄY
Metal slave
Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 06:19

Written by JÄY on 16.11.2013 at 06:12
....that and the women.

Aye, the women!

Speaking of women, I wonder if these guys will ever venture into female vocalist territory. Someone like a Maria Brink could probably fit into their current style rather well.

Actually, I could see that haha......
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08.12.2013 - 08:31
Stunning Cactus

Am I the only one who actually really digs this album?
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08.01.2014 - 20:51
Rating: 10
ppippissi

This album got me back into metal and introduced me to old In Flames, so I just can't give it lower than a ten. Regardless, I do like (love) all of the songs and I don't understand why so many people don't. Actually, I enjoy the fact that In Flames' discography is so varied and different. Oh, well, maybe it's just me.
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31.05.2015 - 17:08
Toxik

Written by ppippissi on 08.01.2014 at 20:51

This album got me back into metal and introduced me to old In Flames, so I just can't give it lower than a ten. Regardless, I do like (love) all of the songs and I don't understand why so many people don't. Actually, I enjoy the fact that In Flames' discography is so varied and different. Oh, well, maybe it's just me.

It's pretty hard to don't like songs like Fear Is The Weakness
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07.09.2015 - 12:11
Rating: 7
s_t_s

Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.11.2013 at 06:06

Written by JÄY on 16.11.2013 at 05:59
The prophesies did not lie....
He has returned.....

I missed commenting on In Flames album threads too much. I had to come back.


Not quite out of topic, I'm currently listening to the album's reissue (2014) at deezer and I feel that some songs sound different... Am I going psycho ??
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04.12.2015 - 05:35
Rating: 3
Joppe
Steelemeister
I honestly cannot see much quality in this album and the more I listen the more I start to get annoyed by it. I guess the album works better, at least for me, in smaller doses, in shorter listenings. Shorter than a full song, that is, because I don't think any of these songs are that much worth remembering. Some of the songs, like "Where The Dead Ships Dwell" of the single have some cool ideas for a song, but TBH I'm really getting fed up by these annoying fake ass vocals after a few listens. Maybe I'm missing something here , if I'm not, then the album is getting way too much recognition.
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My vision is augmented
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24.03.2016 - 23:09
Rating: 6
Overrwatcher

It's okay. Better than the albums directly before and after it, but it's not very interesting. The title track, Deliver Us, Where the Dead Ships Dwell, Ropes, and A New Dawn stand out as good songs, but the rest I feel fall a little bit short.
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Overr's List Of Worthwhile Deathcore Albums

Written by Dr. Strawberry on 12.06.2016 at 19:43

Overwatcher, MS Xena, crumbled him in no time. MS needs you to kill the boredom in here.
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25.05.2017 - 01:01
Rating: 6
frequenzangriff

I really enjoy this album, it's quite good really. But still disapointing as in flames seems not to be making much effort, i'm sure they could and should be able to deliver a much better album overall.
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10.08.2022 - 09:55
Rating: 6
GrimReaper85

Written by Toxik on 31.05.2015 at 17:08
It's pretty hard to don't like songs like Fear Is The Weakness

If this is the best In Flames has to offer since 2002, it's pretty bad. And even Reroute to Remain wasn't that good to begin with.
First 2 albums are amazing, then a little worse next 3 ones. And that's it from In Flames, unless they come with a killer album at the end of their career. State of Slow Decay sure proofs they are still capable.
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