IN FLAMES — Lunar Strain (review)

IN FLAMES — Lunar Strain album cover Album · 1994 · Melodic Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
The Angry Scotsman
When I hear In Flames I think of generic mainstream metal. Which is a shame because after daring to explore their older stuff I realized that they produced some great music! Shame they sold out, but that is for later....

This is the debut album from In Flames and it is quite an interesting one! A melodic death metal album, (one of the earliest examples I know of) this album has the drop C crushing guitar, growling and portions of double bass drumming of death metal, but overall less intense and well, melodic.

The song writing is quite good, and while has a death metal feel does not sacrifice musicianship for brutality. This album used 3 guitarists which, one (very heavy one) playing rhythm while the other 2 weave in an out playing lead. Sometimes playing in harmony as well. The solo's are melodic (but with some touches of shred), and there is a decent bit of folk music on here, which really makes the album unique.

There is a good amount of acoustic guitar on here, which will kick in on the stop of a dime. It is some beautiful musicianship. In fact Hårgalåten is a purely acoustic song with female vocals and a chilling solo! You'll also hear some violin on here! It gave my friends quite a surprise to hear a "celtic folk song" as one said LOL then it bursts into death metal. One song is purely violin and is brilliant. You'll just have to listen to find it though!

A great album! Only draw backs is Everlost, part 1 and 2 which are a bit boring and uninspired. Weak tracks. However, outside those all the rest is great. Death metal, but with musicianship over brutality. May be a turn off to some but for the rest there is some unique, and well crafted music here!

Four Stars
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Balthamel wrote:
more than 2 years ago
wonderfull review and also a really good album in my book :)

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