Sweden's IN FLAMES is a band that really doesn't need an introduction to the Metal community, unless of course you have been living under a rock since the early 1990's. Credited with the creation, or co-creation of the genre called "Melodic Death Metal," they have had a decorated and annotated career through today, and have endured more than their fair share of criticism as of lately as well. Through the first few albums, their sound was more Death than Melodic. Then, "Colony" and "Clayman" introduced more melody and some clean singing here and there, and probably represent the two albums that fans most adore. Some fans were not happy with a slight directional change when "Reroute To Remain" was released in 2003. "Metaphor" became the scapegoat. But they remained a vital and leading force in this genre, until a bigger detour with "Siren Charms" in 2014. Some people say it was the singing to Sony Records that led to the departure in sound on this album, which parlayed more into the "Groove" or "Alternative" sound. When Nuclear Blast grabbed them back for this album, I had high hopes of a return.

I wouldn't call this a return per se, but there are some moments. Overall however it is a very eclectic group of songs that shift genres back and forth, but the album has no real sense of continuity. "Drained" is the opening track and an example of a song you would have heard from the band in the past. No secret here that I have always loved Ander's vocals fry. Though they register in the higher range, I have always liked the power and emotion he delivers. Of course what they always bring to the Nth degree is a big hitting chorus, and this song fulfills that. "The End" is another spot-on Melodeath song, and perhaps my favorite from the album. The twin guitar melodies shine brightly and the vocals fry contrast with the clean vocals in the chorus to create the quintessential sound that you have come to expect from this storied bans. "The Truth" is more of an electronic sounding Hard Rock song but still has a catchy quality, like something you might hear on the radio even. I wouldn't begrudge the band for their pop sensibilities because even amidst their heaviest work they still always had that, but I will comment on the guitar solos which so far have not been overly impressive.

The title track however, "Battles," is definitely over the fence a bit. The riff is unique and creative and the reverb in the vocals during the verses mark a different but still pleasing sound. It might sum up the album best in terms of the most representative song. From there, some of the tracks just fail to register as memorable for me. But "Save Me" is interesting. Once again there is a little experimentation and an unabashed acceptance of pure melodic bliss. This is never a bad thing for me. Of the two bonus tracks, "Greatest Greed" has the most traditional sound, with lots of energy, drive, and a really great chorus, though "Us Against The World" is a worthy contender. There comes a point in ever band's career, especially one that has been writing and recording as long as IN FLAMES has, where the well of creativity isn't as deep as it once was. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon and has happened to the best of them, RUSH and IRON MAIDEN included. Have IN FLAMES hit that proverbial wall? Don't call me an optimist, but I don't think they have. There is enough here to call the album interesting and some real gems as well. I won't close the curtain and neither should you.