Pros: Killer looking, shaped picture disc by In Flames no less!
Cons: Hard to find and prohibitive aftermarket selling price; only four tracks.
The Bottom Line: Really one for dedicated fans of In Flames. Not worth it for the average fan unless you're diggin' that awesome jester mask-shaped CD. How cool is that?
sleestakk's Full Review: Black-Ash Inheritance by In Flames
The coolest thing about this CD - besides the fact it's from one of Sweden's best modern death metal bands - is that it's shaped like the jagged jester mask which has become their mascot of sorts since it graced the cover of their landmark The Jester Race LP in '95. Seriously, take a look at that thing. Is that badass or what? Plus shaped CDs are rare as it is. However, as wicked as that shaped mini-CD (MCD) is, what's as equally uncool is the stinkin' price for this thing. Zoiks!
Back when In Flames released Black-Ash Inheritance in 1997 after a successful European tour, the MCD retailed at the same pricepoint as a regular full-length CD. That is, if you could find one. Only in the last couple of years has In Flames' back catalog been easy to purchase; before that, one had to go through retailers or mail order dealers specializing in imports. And usually pay absorbent prices for those sought after European metal discs. Fortunately the situation has improved immensely as the major labels such as Century Media and Nuclear Blast started releasing more of Europe's metal treasures stateside. Nice, huh?
The first time I encountered a real live copy of Black-Ash Inheritance was at the Milwaukee Metalfest where music dealers peddle their wares to throngs of black-clad, tattooed longhairs amidst four stages of loud, raging heavy metal. It's a beautiful thing. Anyway, I won't tell the cost of the thing but it was the only one I found out of the dozens of tables and thousands of CDs for sale. Actually I'm just too embarrassed to say. Let's put it this way, I'm a big fan of the band and it cost more than retail. Hell, the damn thing is out of print now so I can't imagine the price ever going down.
That's what I'm saying.
The main reason In Flames decided to drop this pricey EP with the evil grin on their fans was to introduce a new tune that would eventually find its way onto their subsequent record, Whoracle released later in 1997. And that would be track 2, Gyroscope, a slower than usual yet very melodic song that showcased the direction the band was taking their new wave death metal sound. The subdued intro sets up the hammering rhythm that carries the tune. Albeit short, this standout track also works nicely on the full album release as a down tempo grind from the majority of Whoracle.
Gyroscope is surrounded by three other tracks that identified the sound of In Flames up to that point including the all-original Goliaths Disarm Their Davids tune which could've easily been featured on The Jester Race since it speeds along with the same style sharing similar progressions of more than one song from that album. And it's another take on confronting the march of industrialism that pervades the world. Although not totally original, it still stands on its own with massive riffing and building-crushing vocals from Anders Fridén, especially his scary groan, "disaaaaaaaaaaarm!"
For me, the highlight on this MCD is Acoustic Medley which proves again that even extreme metal groups may present a rough exterior but are still soft on the inside. This instrumental isn't the first time In Flames exchanged their intense death metal chops for a sweet acoustic medley nor would it be their last (one needn't look any farther than Timeless from Subterranean). What makes this particular outing memorable is that this track is composed of guitar dense grooves from various tunes on The Jester Race yet here acoustic instruments are used. The only thing that could've made this better was if it was longer. Regardless, I dig it. A lot.
A live version of Behind Space (the studio version opens their debut Lunar Strain record) rounds out the small collection of tunes and it's a decent recording but not great. The song itself is an aggressive, racing track with fiery riffs but much of the attack is lost in the poor mix. For whatever reason the drums sound thin and completely separated from the guitars. This is very annoying. Also the production is rather muddy. Even though it's not nearly as memorable as the three tracks that precede it, it's an okay addition.
Normally with such a high price tag and only four tracks clocking in just over 14 minutes I wouldn't recommend the disc. But since I love this band so much I can't help but be favorable, yet sometimes critical, of everything they do. Well, as long as they continue doing what they do best anyways. Honestly, Black-Ash Inheritance is for hardcore In Flames fans only. Its lack of availability and expensive cost are enough to keep the casual fan away.
Ah, well. At least it looks cool.
Cheers!
Track Listing:
1. Goliaths Disarm Their Davids
2. Gyroscope
3. Acoustic Medley
4. Behind Space (live)
Great Music to Play Before: Listening to the other six (soon to be seven) In Flames albums.
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