In Flames - Reroute to Remain

Originally published in Chronicles of Chaos in 2002

I thoroughly liked _The Jester Race_ and thought they improved on each album up to and including _Colony_. On _Clayman_ [CoC #48], which -is- a good album, I sensed a small drop in intensity and enthusiasm. It sounded slightly more calculated, rushed and less elaborate. This time, these traits aren't something I just -sense-; they're staring me in the face!

_Reroute to Remain_ starts as one would expect, with a bombardment of riffs and trademark Stromblad guitar melodies. The verse feels quite staccato though, and the chorus gives me nothing. In Flames continue to use more and more clean/semi-clean vocals. While this proves they're unafraid to explore new areas and adds a new dimension to their music, it would be so much more successful if Friden only knew how to sing. Throughout the album, most verses are uneventful, while the choruses are too easy listening. I have no problem with their formula, but they need more punch, contrasts and intensity in their music to make it work. While I enjoy this album more than the hopeless _The Tokyo Showdown_ [CoC #55], _RtR_ is the bigger disappointment. Two strikes in a row guys, your next release better be good! (It would turn out the next 7 albums were even worse, but the 8th finally showed some promise!)

Original score: 6/10. That was considered a meh score in CoC, but 3/5 is actually a good score, so yeah, this is a 2.5 or even worse.