Seventh album for Swedish dark metal act featuring Jesper St. Romblad (ex-Ceremonial Oath). 11 tracks. Nuclear Blast. 2000. Album Description
 |  | Classic, this one got me started on melodic metal 5 years ago |  |
In Flames were some of the truly original pioneers of melodic metal, or melo-death metal, which ever you prefer. In my case as well as many other people, they are what got a lot of us started in this style and quality of music: fast paced metal, amazing guitar solos and duets, and technical drumming and double bass, with keyboards also in many cases. Clayman, in my opinion is about where In Flames peaked, with their newer albums kind of diminishing their ability somewhat (I think they're just gettin too old for it lol). Nevertheless, they put out the most monumental albums of any band I can think of in this genre. Give it a try if you're new to this type of music. Also definitely listen to their older albums including: The Jester Race/Black Ash Inheritance, Whoracle, and Colony. Can't go wrong with any of them. Also for modern-day bands keeping melodic metal alive and in good spirits, check out Kalmah, Wintersun, and As I Lay Dying.
January 22, 2008 | | Part of the Lutheran Metal Scene | |
The best song for me is square nothing, again the vocals can be barely understood, the music gets annoying after a while because of the lutheran tendency. I gave it average score, cause vocals are barely audible and the music tends to repeat itself. The group could have easily combined many albums together.
January 3, 2008i really wish inflames would stick to this formula. I like the pattern they had with whoracle, colony, and clay man. these were great cd's. The early releases were also good but this was but inflames was at there best with the 3 cd's i names. as for the newer stuff. reroute to remain was good. soundtrack was ok. and come clarity was good but it was a different style. by the way i sum'd it up this way so i wouldn't have to review each cd individually. you will know how I feel by the stars i give. The truth is though even there new stuff is better than a lot bands releases today.
October 25, 2007 | | Stick to the formula, somehow it sells. | |
My cousin has been going on and on about In Flames, so I took the leap and started here. Who knows what the draw of this album is, but it is formulaic and boring. Here the guitars change, here the guys voice is more growly, now screamy with higher guitars, here come the drums, chuggchuggchugg rhythm guitars, a couple solos. Next song. Rinse, wash repeat. Please, these guys are not doing anything new. "Melodic Metal"? That sounds like an excuse, not a genre.
There is not one song on this album, NOT ONE, that catches me, makes me say "damn that is cool right there". Its surprising that this thing is getting raved about anywhere. Suburban Me is an embarrassing, blatant copy of the first track.
Someone has to have an intervention here, this thing has 4.5 stars on Amazon and it deserves MAYBE 2, which I gave it, for technical prowess. But absolutely not for songwriting. I sure hope they have better efforts. They have a massive pile of discs to chose from, they really can crank them out, but I don't think I'll try again for awhile.
October 11, 2007please... pay no attention to the boobs who trash in flames for creating something different. all you hear from these idiots is how "mainstream" they have become. all you hear is comparisons to "whoracle" and "colony," to overwhelming efforts. honestly, the whole point of in flames is melody, right? i have every album since "whoracle" and i must say that "clayman" is a melodic romp through the metal forest of doom, complete with incredibly awesome vocals and some of the most amazing melodic riffs you will ever hear. ever. all of these so-called fans all sound the same: "oh, this album is too pop. it sounds like they are reaching out to mainstreams fans... and the emo-like vocals are horrible." you're better off listening to "clayman" or "whoracle" or "lunar strain." please. stop. you sound like a total idiot. i have always compared "colony" to "clayman." the former really isn't that much better than the latter. sure, their "old" stuff is ripe with sick melodies that almost melt your soul, but, hey, let's get real here for a second: all of the "fans" who trash everything after "colony" aren't really fans... they're whiny little babies who have not recieved their warm bottle of milk. i am a real in flames fan and "clayman" is absolutley incredible, period.
October 6, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(130 reviews)