For all the Cancer fans: this is a very good album! I can't remember the last time I heard 'bout these U.K. maniacs - the subsequent of projects/ participations here and there, maybe - and Spirit In Flames came on as a rather good gift for this season. This is a 'cute' jewel, whose quality may not be crowned in the depths of history but will obviously please metalheads keen on this specific Death/Thrash Metal style.
The un-separated 'force' of Walker/Stokes releases this fine album nearly ten years after their highly rated Black Faith full-length (1995). Hmm...There was some kind of EP released in 2003 to accompany the reformation of the band, named Corporation$, of which I have heard nothing. Anyway, Cancer built a rather good reputation through all their releases - the earliest being To The Gory End (1989), Death Shall Rise (1991) and Sins Of Mankind (1993) - and whoever believes that the band's 'path of fame' was James Murphy in the Death... lineup surely hasn't paid so much attention to this quartet's methods of Extreme Metal madness.
The first chords of Inside Out made me shiver. Not only because of its excellence, but also for this specific sound! The times when Death/Thrash Metal was high an' mighty (talkin' about the '89 - '94 years, approx.) and bands like Paradise Lost, Carcass, Cerebral Fix, Obituary, Pestilence were the upcoming power in extreme Metal (the New Wave of Death Metal, in other words?). Notable guitar work from the Walker/Engvikson duet, this killin' variety of rhythms in each song - without any confusing results - and an adequate production by the 'core' pair.
There's a small objection 'bout Walker's voice, as it seems rather 'withered' or plain at times (Solar Prophecy for example reminded me a lot of Nick Holmes' voice in the mid-90's). I'd bet he could provide more strength through his throat... Nonetheless, the general 'vibe' of Spirit In Flames makes this insight rather dull, since the songs themselves - many of them Thrashier than ever - possess the formula of riff mastering throughout the first audition. Guaranteed. No need to chat furthermore 'bout the songs.
I'm glad Cancer released this album at this time. Spirit In Flames, applicable for all those who don't want to forget how Death Metal (especially the European 'branch') sounded like in its first years of birth. As if a few months have only passed since then...
Minds reduced to matters grave,
Bridge the gap of life and death,
release the key torment, reverse the thought,
what's to prove in destroying belief - Mindless Reactions