bjorn gelotte
In Flames live at the House of Blues, 3.3.2019
Band: In Flames
Photographer: Corey Butterworth
Location: House of Blue, Boston, MA
Date: March 3, 2019
Throwback Thursday: In Flames’ “Clayman” turns 18
Though they’re little more than a punchline these days, it’s hard to overstate just how important In Flames were in my journey into metal fandom. As I began my crossover from nu-metal kid into “the real shit” — sometime around eighth grade — the Swedes were one of the first contemporary bands to really hook me. At their peak, they hit every note I wanted to hear: the sense of melody I’d come to appreciate from classic artists like Maiden and Priest; a heaviness that, unlike nu-metal, didn’t feel clownish; and most importantly, an almost unfairly catchy presentation of both those component parts.
And it’s thanks to that last point in particular that Clayman was the first In Flames album to hook me in. So in honor of its 18th birthday this past Tuesday, let’s take a look back at it.
The Horns Up Top 10: In Flames
Well, this is certainly an ambitious decision, isn’t it? Forming in 1990 and remaining active ever since, In Flames have released 11 full length albums, most recently last year’s Siren Charms. There’s no shortage of material to work with for a Top 10 list. They were one of the pioneers of the Gothenburg death metal scene and have become one of the most recognizable bands both inside the metal community and out.
Quickies: New Emmure Drummer, Bill Kelliher’s Next Project (!), and Some Album Sales.
Over the U.S. loss yet? Not entirely. Hopefully some of this weeks releases eased the pain. But they probably didn’t. Anyway, no matches today means Quickies are coming at ya.
- Mark Castillo has made a brilliant move and left Emmure. Rumors point to Adam Pierce replacing him on drums.
- Weekly chart update: Mastodon had a very solid opening week with Once More ‘Round The Sun. I enjoyed it.
- Danny Leal, vocalist for Upon A Burning Body, has gone missing. Serious issue, and if you check out some of the most recent social media posts, it’s even scarier.
- For the Periphery fans out there (and I know you’re out there), here’s a studio update.
- Bill Kelliher, Mikael Akerfeldt, and Bjorn Gelotte on a project? Mastodon, Opeth, and In Flames on a project? Got my attention.
- And for an obligatory video post, here is the new music video for Nexilva’s ‘Necromancer’ (you’re welcome, prog-death fans):
Parts of that song I like. Parts of that song I don’t like. All of that music video I don’t like. Because analysis. I’m gonna go drink a beer.
“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– Corey
Live. Love. Plow. Horns Up.