(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
andy goins
from Lexington,Ky
In Flames have proved with Clayman that they are one of the best metal bands around.Some call this "Melodic Death",but aside from Anders Friden's screaming vocals,this isn't very similar to REAL death metal like Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus.I think it is closer to traditional metal with thrash leanings,but that is just my opinion.Anyways,songs like "Clayman" and "Pinball Map" are destined to become metal classics,alongside "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "The Four Horsemen".Other excellent tracks include "As The Future Repeats Today","Bullet Ride",and "Another Day In Quicksand",the latter being my personal favorite,with its black metallish guitars and great chorus.The only flop in this album,to me,is "Satellites And Astronauts",because it becomes too close to a power ballad for my tastes.Jesper Stromblad's solos are electrifying and worth the price of admission alone.Occasionally,In Flames experiment with drum machines,odd electronic sounds,and strange clean vocals,but it is rare enough to avoid becoming a distraction,and it shows just how unique In Flames really are.The song structures are just about perfect,and though I might be wrong in some eyes,I would compare "Clayman" to "Number Of The Beast" easily.In Flames has unwitttingly created a modern day classic.Though "Reroute To Remain" was a disappointing follow up,though still good,do not judge these metal masters on that release.On a final note,to those "extreme only" metalheads,I would recommend "The Jester Race" as an introduction to In Flames,because it displays more elements of Black and Death metal than "Clayman".Regardless,this album is a must own for everyone who claims to enjoy metal.
