Release date: 2/10/2023
Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden
Personnel: Anders Friden-vox, Bjorn Gelotte-guitar, Chris Broderick-guitar, Bryce Paul-bass, Tanner Wayne-drums
Another surprise entry at #6 this year. In Flames has seemed to be a band that has been searching for its identity for quite some time. They started out as one of the beacon’s of the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene, but then seemed to stray into a more modern and more American metal sound in the 2000s. Their output in the 2000s has been kind of hit and miss. It was with this undertone that they released Foregone. This album harkens back to their original style and is a return to form for the band. Key addition on this album is former Jag Panzer and Megadeth guitarist, Chris Broderick and a new rhythm section. I’m not sure if the new additions have reinvigorated the band, but if so, I hope this latest album is a sign of things to come.
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
DISPATCHES FROM THE VOID 