In Flames – Sounds from the Heart of Gothenburg

By Prog Sphere on August 8, 2016

Let’s not beat around the bush here, In Flames are a pretty amazing band. Over the course of twenty-five years and thanks to the brains of Jesper Stromblad, the Swedes have endured the usual debilitating line up changes and record company woes to create some of the most unique and frankly outstanding music the Metal music world has seen. With Stromblad leaving the band in 2010 In Flames found themselves in a tough position considering that they would eventually come up with a new album, what actually happened the following year. Sounds of a Playground Fading represented a new beginning in a way, but the band answered the challenge in style.

Now that the fanboy gush is over, In Flames’ third live album, and second DVD Sounds From the Heart of Gothenburg is a recording of a Gothenburg show from the band’s 2014 European tour that was run in the support of their still actual album Siren Charms.

For the purpose of this review, we were given a digital album which is comprised of 20 tracks, and which reaches almost 90 minutes in length. Throughout the show, In Flames played a wide selection of songs ranging from their 1999 masterpiece Colony through the 2014’s Siren Charms. The show opens with the first two songs off of the latest album which see both the band and fans heat up the atmosphere at Scandinavium in Gothenburg. Following “Fear is Weakness” from the 2011’s record and “Trigger” which comes after are the early highlight moments of the overall impressive performance.

Back to the band’s melodic take on death metal, and here comes “Resin,” another number from Colony which sounds better than ever. Even after years of recording and countless performances, Anders Friden’s voice is still top of the game. The band is often awarded with cheering and applause showing their fans’ appreciation.

Follows a mix of songs taken from the last two studio albums which are very well received from the audience, who keeps on cheering, applauding and singing along with Friden. Going back to 2008 with “Delight and Angers” from A Sense of Purpose makes the whole venue jumping. That Friden is a great frontman is showed through the often banters during the songs and between them.

“Cloud Connected” from 2002’s Reroute to Remain gets by far most positive reception. “Only for the Weak” comes forward with Friden once again raising the temperature in the full Scandinavium. An In Flames concert wouldn’t be the same if they do not play “The Quite Place” from the Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) album. It absolutely sounds huge, the band is on fire and that transfers to the audience as well.

“When the World Explodes” and “Rusted Nail” follow as another batch of songs from Siren Charms. “Deliver Us” is yet another tribute to Sounds of a Playground Fading, before the band call it a night, traditionally, with “Take This Life,” the opening piece from the band’s 2006 album Come Clarity. And here lies an answer to the question: what are the flaws of Sounds from the Heart of Gothenburg? The answer is simple — there should definitely be more songs included in the setlist from the 2006’s album. Here is at least a wishful thought: if they had included the title track from Come Clarity, this live album would be a dream comes true, considering that it’s been years since they had the song in setlist.

Fans of the band will of course lap this up wholeheartedly, but more casual listeners – if In Flames even have ‘casual’ fans – would probably find this release a tad overwhelming. That being said, as this reviewer falls into the first category, Sounds from the Heart of Gothenburg is another extraordinary live release from In Flames, and will tie over quite nicely until the release of their next album.

Pre-order Sounds from the Heart of Gothenburg now from:

Nuclear Blast UK Store: Limited Edition 3LP Mail Order Box and Limited Edition Deluxe Earbook: http://nblast.de/InFlamesNBUK
Amazon – 2CD Digipack, 3LP Box Set, Blu-Ray+2CD, DVD+2CD: http://nblast.de/InFlamesAmz
iTunes: http://nblast.de/InFlamesiTunes

Catch In Flames on the following UK dates early next year together with Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed:

JANUARY 2017

Tuesday 10th – GLASGOW, HYDRO
Thursday 12th – NEWCASTLE, METRO RADIO ARENA
Friday 13th – BIRMINGHAM, GENTING
Sunday 15th – SHEFFIELD, ARENA
Monday 16th – MANCHESTER, ARENA
Wednesday 18th – NOTTINGHAM, MOTORPOINT ARENA
Thursday 19th – CARDIFF, MOTORPOINT ARENA
Saturday 21st – LONDON, 02 ARENA