Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
In Flames
Title
Battles
Type
LP/EP
Company
Nuclear Blast
YOR
2016
Style
Heavy/Extreme
1/19/2017 - Review by: Eric Compton
Lethargic energy levels
In Flames 'Battles' hits me in the same way that Avenged Sevenfold's last one did. Maybe today 'Battles' is a 3, tomorrow it's a 5. As we sit now the Hollywood production from Howard Benson is lifeless. Very little spark on the strings and those obnoxious synth sounds don't do anything to make this band sound youthful. Critics can peg me as a non-believer of In Flames but I loved their last album. It isn't the progression and change for me, it's just the lethargic energy levels. I'll bet this stuff is better live.
Recommended for fans of: Soilwork, Engel
PERSONAL BREAKDOWN:

ENJOYMENT
3
MUSIC
3
VOCALS
3.5
PRODUCTION
2
ARTWORK
4
LYRICS
3


  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    3 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: IN FLAMES
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
A Sense of Purpose
2008
Nuclear Blast
Frank Hill6/12/2008
3
Battles
2016
Nuclear Blast
Eric Compton1/19/2017
3
Come Clarity
2006
Ferret Records
Frank Hill3/8/2006
-
Lunar Strain/Subterranean (Reissues)
2005
Candlelight
Eric Compton6/17/2005
-
Reroute to Remain
2002
Nuclear Blast
Frank Hill2/4/2003
4
Reroute to Remain
2002
Nuclear Blast
Guest1/21/2003
4
Siren Charms
2014
Sony Music
Frank Hill10/20/2014
3
Sounds of a Playground Fading
2011
Century Media
Eric Compton8/5/2011
3.5
Soundtrack to Your Escape
2004
Nuclear Blast
Greg Watson4/30/2004
-
The Mirror's Truth
2008
Nuclear Blast
Frank Hill3/14/2008
4
Trigger EP
2003
Nuclear Blast
Frank Hill2/20/2004
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: IN FLAMES
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
Anders FridenGreg Watson7/9/2004


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