In Flames
Soundtrack to your Escape
Nuclear Blast
Krista G.
There is also a digipak-version with a little bit different cover and a bonus
track "Discover Me Like Emptiness"
In preparation for dissecting this release I listened to Clayman and ReRoute to Remain, thinking I’d find the natural progression this band has taken. The latter I still can’t finish, the earlier I can still play and enjoy. I’ve always had a three strikes your out policy in regards to bands. I don’t have to like it, I just have to get past it, and hope for the best the next time. However, with Clayman things started changing to less double tracking of the riffing, and a softening of the aggressive song writing these guys are capable of. They can still write as well as before--but they’ve become bored with the music they’ve made in the past and want a change. It appears the change is permanent. Is this as bad as ReRoute? In some aspects it is, since I’m not convinced their hearts were playing in the studio. However, the more time I’ve spent with it, the more I realize it’s not as bad as ReRoute, and far less than Clayman. It seems to be the disc that’s missing in between the two.
These are riff driven songs. The soaring guitar melodies and double layered tracks (two for lead, two for rhythm) are gone. These are simple, dirty sounding riffs that unfortunately one person could do. Solo’s are present, but I’ll be goddamned if I can remember them. Nothing is sticking to me with this release. Drumming is not complicated, no innovation, few tricky fills. One foot wasn’t working either. Industrial influences are heavy to my ears, with the keyboards. Keys and synths are added for melodic textures. The bass is quite heavy, and you can infer what you need to from that. I won’t make comparisons to other bands--if I can help it. The vocals. There are few growls, more shrieking harshness. The clean isn’t as perfect as on ReRoute, and certainly nothing to hype up. Effects were used to make some of the vocals sound far away, fouled up, or sound run through a keyboard to be honest. Mixed to the back. Many different chorus’ interspersed throughout the songs. Production is decent. In Flames is still a band that’s strong point is songwriting, who’ve lost their desire for the harder stuff. They want music they’re satisfied with, that they can play night after night. And this band has been through the paper shredder as far as screams of “Sell Outs”, or other phrases that don’t need to be repeated. So be it. But. This is a metal band. And is usually judged by metal standards: aggression, power, riffs, and a back bone that holds the songs upright. None of that is really very strong on this one, and it didn’t help to release three of the softest songs up front either.
“F(r)iend” starts a heavier number, giving hope for what’s to come. Pinch harmonics, deeper growls, melodic guitar work is present, albeit short. This song is the response to all the internet related niceties that everyone said about ReRoute. “The Quiet Place” is a simple song, nasally clean vocals, minimal riffing, open songwriting. “Dead Alone” is one that has promise and a better pick from the recording. The snare is used heavily.
“Touch Of Red”, the most interesting thing here is the cool roll on the cymbals that doesn’t last nearly long enough, nor returns. Catchy chorus. “Like You Better Dead”--Hey, I hear some double foot work. It’s verse, chorus, verse math, lacking leads that tear you in half. In fact, assume that period. Catchy vocal melodies in spots. “My Sweet Shadow”--Holy shit! They’re back! A melodic and galloping intro….goosebumps! Then the song does takes a drastic crash into the quivering, nasally, slower passages. Then back into the melodic gallop with familiar screams. Powerful vocals are mixed far to back in the bridge section. Keys are make their appearance amongst this back drop, detracting any power I felt from the song. “Evil In A Closet” starts with absolutely beautiful guitar only riffing. The music contained on this song makes me happy. If you can get past Anders clean singing, this is a standout, despite it being a slower number overall. “In Search For I” is the galloping fast paced track here, reminding me of At The Gates for a minute. Stand out track on the disc, with recognizable solo‘s. “Borders And Shading” has beefed up riffing, but again the nasally vocals can detract from the song. Big booming chorus. “Superhero Of The Computer Rage”, Fast paced song that gives me the punk willies, although, it’s quite catchy. The best thing I can point out is the riff at about 2:40 minute mark. Now, that had great potential! It could’ve been extended and made into a great song. Eh, take it and run. “Dial 595-Escape” is my favorite on the disc, aside from the slowness of “Evil in a Closet”. Catchy, heavy, aggression. Anders does some good vocal work, let alone some really decent leads and riffing weaving in and out.
“Bottled” slow galloping song that leaves me feeling this is the dying whimper of Soundtrack to Your Escape.
I honestly respect this band. For many reasons, not the least of which is their pursuit of making music that they enjoy. And for the incessant flack they took over ReRoute (and I was vocal about it myself). If you liked ReRoute to Remain, you will love this one. It’s not as sugary sweet and flea ridden with keyboards. Soundtrack to Your Escape is a pleasant disc. As the title suggests, it’s a disc to pop in to forgot everything. Not to head bang, or make you run screaming to your guitar trying to duplicate a riff. It’s a good release. Nothing more.
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4/6/04
