Throughout the history of In Flames, they have consistently created the finest in melodic death metal. Album after album their style remains roughly the same though becoming more accessible and "weaker" as well. People may argue that In Flames is stronger than ever and they wouldn't necessarily be wrong at all....In Flames is a fantastic melodic metal band, although their newer material, especially Clayman, is a LOT LESS death metal and less technical, also utilizing clean vocals in alot of their catchy choruses and verses. They started as a melodic, semi-technical gothenburg-style death metal band and have evolved into a more mainstream outfit...so what does this have to do with the album Whoracle? Well, this album is a mark in the gradually changing style of In Flames. Whoracle shows the band in a more mature state, creating great songs that STICK in your head. The music on here is great and should be recognized by every fan of metal.
The riffs on this album are addictive, creative, and very interesting. Fans of the gothenburg metal scene know of this patented riffing style...fast melodic riffs that harmonize most of the time and fantastic solos that use almost every aspect of "metal" soloing including tapping, wide bends, smooth legato runs, and the natural minor key. In other words, expect to hear REALLY melodic music that doesn't get really over the top on the technicality and doesn't sound dark or brutal...in fact, the riffs are always catchy as hell and "happy" in a way...but not vomit-inducing and happy like pretty much ALL power metal bands.
The drums pound along creating catchy rhythms that you'll air-drum along to for sure. Again, not very technical or very fast...although they do have some catchy fast sections like on "Morphing into Primal" and "Food for the Gods", also a patented drumming style of the gothenburg scene...if your unfamiliar, the fast drum beat i'm talking about is the one used by almost all thrash and (old) death metal bands in their fast sections, Slayer comes to mind.
The vocals are great and perfect for singing along to once you know the lyrics, using a high-mid range rasp and sometimes an occasional whispering verse. The lyrics are absolutely great! Very creative and thought-inducing, you'll know once you read the lyrics that these guys are serious, none of that cheesy crap or lyrics-just-for-lyrics-sake.
Many pro's and few cons, in fact, the only real con I can think of is the Depeche Mode cover right before the final song...you probably won't notice that's it's Depeche Mode since In Flames blend it in so perfectly with the rest of the songs on the album, just pick out the most boring song on the album...that one's it!
Great, creative writing, lyrically and musically is what you'll be treated to with Whoracle. Catchy is the name of the game here, highly catchy, melodic, and addictive riffs...even some acoustic sections! Overall the music is awesome and the songs are well thought out and well played. Some highlights on this album are the first song "Jotun", "Jester Script Transfigured", "Episode 666", "Morphing Into Primal", damn...ALL of them except for the Depeche Mode cover are great! The album closes with a simple yet cool acoustic song, using just a couple of strumming chord riffs and a female singer carrying a simple melody, repeating it over and over again.
Metal fans take note about Whoracle! This album is the transition where In Flames started to become more mainstream and accessible, luckily this album still has much aggression and elements of their older style unlike the new one "Clayman". If you liked this or bands like At the Gates or Dark Tranquillity, check out In Flames' older stuff like "Lunar Strain" "Subterranean" and "The Jester Race".

Pick this up now!


Recommended: Yes