Holy band-in-transition, Batman!
I actually own a couple of versions of this - the 2004 remaster with all the bonus tracks and combo Lunar Strain/Subterranean album. I listened to the remaster because the master sounds better and it's got a bunch of what I assumed were super sweet bonus tracks.
They were ok bonus tracks.
On to the review:
On Lunar Strain, we were introduced to an In Flames lead by an impressive vocal performance by Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity, a personal best for him, in my opinion. I knew that we didn't yet have long time and current vocalist Anders Friden here, but I had always assumed it still Stanne. They Shyamalaned me, though; it's neither!
The lion's share of the vocals, that is to say, lead vocals on all five canon E.P. tracks are performed by Henke Forss, of Dawn, doing his best grim-ass Mikael Stanne. The bonus tracks each feature their own singer, Anders Friden being the only one I recognize. Also Daniel Erlandsson (of Arch Enemy and Brujeria) did session drum performances on a bunch of tracks. It was a party
Music-wise, I like the core E.P. tracks alot. Subterranean and Biosphere have been long time favorites of mine. I forgot how great Stand Ablaze is. I think it's my pick for this album, because it really showcases In Flames changing into the In Flames that I know and love - it's holding onto alot of the aggression and the black metal aesthetic of Lunar Strain, but it really embraces the melodic dynamism they'd later be known for. Very cool, very good, not as exciting as Lunar Strain, but still very good.
On to the bonus tracks...
The pre-Jester Race Dead Eternity and Inborn Lifeless (Dead God in Me) are superior to the re-recorded versions. These have more edge, they attack a little bit more, and I really like them with the grim and frostbitten vocals. On a personal note, I had always assumed that these were part of the original Subterranean release. They're not. I'm not actually sure what they released on, but that diminishes how cool I though Subterranean was. Bummer, I guess.
The covers didn't add anything for me. I like a cover of a classic metal song, but no one does Iron Maiden songs any justice in covers, except Cradle of Filth*. Murders in the Rue Morgue was good pick, because it's not the most Maideny Maiden song, and I'm a closet Paul Di'anno fan (Killers 4 Life!) but it's not great. Eye of the Beholder is complete garbage. Take a boring Metallica song, do a completely loyal cover with no gusto or panache from your own band - put no spin or signature on it - then have have some rando do mediocre Metallica type classic metal vocals. Great plan. Pysche. That's a terrible plan. You should be ashamed of yourself, In Flames. You wasted like 5 minutes of time and your version was so boring, I almost fell asleep while driving (true story). I could have killed us all, and the blood would be on your hands.
Overall, this was an OK listen. I'd give it like 3 out of 5 goats, like 400ish out 666 skulls. Nifty graphic is forthcoming, then I'll retcon it back into all these old posts and remove all the naval-gazing about needing a graphical rating system. That'll show you! Up next - Jester Race!
*
friggin sweet!
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