In Flames - Colony

Is Sweden becoming the new metal capital of the world? Perhaps such a statement is hasty, but after listening to the latest offerings from bands like Lefay, Arch Enemy and In Flames, I'm not entirely sure there isn't a kernel of truth in it. In Flames, in particular, impresses on their 1999 release, Colony. Blending a traditional heavy metal sound, death-grunt vocals, and intelligent lyrics, the band has created a remarkably powerful album that gets better and better with every listen.

In Flames began to gain recognition as a force in the European metal scene in the mid 90s when the band acquired vocalist Anders Friden and released The Jester Race. It was acknowledged as an inspired work by fans and critics alike, and In Flames went back to the studio and redoubled their efforts to record their fourth album, Whoracle. Whoracle entered the German album charts at 78 and also hit the charts in Sweden and Japan. After some internal reorganization (the band's drummer, Bjorn Gelote, moved to guitar and ex-Sacrilege drummer Daniel Svensson took his place on the kit), the band began recording Colony in late 1998.

The group is indeed worthy of their name. Every song on Colony sounds like a raging inferno, full of energy and heat. We are launched into a power metal frenzy right from the start with "Embody the Invisible." And this reviewer was astounded by the melodies conjured by the band, melodies that are actually augmented by the vocal style of Friden, who will occasionally open up his voice and sing with clear, high power when the mood fits. Friden also contributes lyrics that are intelligent and profound. On "Ordinary Story" he describes a decaying society: "Egoism dictates human relations/A world where fashion outshines morality. . ./Gather the faithful and propose a toast to the epoch of indifference." In "Coerced Coexistence" Friden's doubts about mankind are even more profound: "Don't hurt a fly they all sing/We're just ants in a great big play/Commercialize-infect-annihilate-progress/Visualize- inhale-pretend-betray." His words are backed up by huge guitar riffs, emotional rhythms, and colorful, musical leads by guitarists Bjorn Gelotte and Jesper Stromblad.

Some of the influences are readily obvious. Stromblad and Gelotte lock into harmonies that do true honor to Iron Maiden veterans Adrian Smith and Dave Murray. Vocalist Anders Friden's scorched voice is a product of the Gothenborg death metal scene. Add a touch of Scandinavian folk influence and you have a truly unique product. Eleven songs in all, each bearing the same level of inspiration, Colony is quite simply one of the best metal albums of 1999.

Something is definitely brewing in Sweden. Something dark and intriguing. And even as an American, I must say, nothing would please me more than to see In Flames' black cloud sweep over the Atlantic and engulf us all. It wouldn't be the New World's first colony, but certainly its heaviest.