Metal Underground.com

By now most of you know what to expect from an In Flames album—trademark screams, simple-yet-satisfying riffs, and melodic choruses. “Come Clarity” does not stray from that path, which makes for a safe, though predictable, album.

The material from “Come Clarity,” as well as the two previous In Flames albums (“Reroute to Remain” and “Soundtrack to Your Escape”), sounds too similar and canned, almost like it is being churned out of a heavy metal factory. Insert uncomplicated riff, add melodic chorus, attach Anders’ scream…voila! The good in this is that “Come Clarity” has consistent quality tracks; the bad is that the whole endeavor feels repetitive, especially coming after the similar sounding previous two albums.

The first single, “Take this Life,” is a perfect summary of the album as a whole. It’s a catchy, uncomplicated song that gives the listener a quick fix of melodic metal. One notable track, “Dead End,” sees the guest appearance of Lisa Miskovsky, a fellow Swede. It is a surprising twist for an In Flames song, and Miskovsky adds another dimension to one of the better tracks of the album. The title track, which falls near the middle of the album, is the change of pace that is so desperately needed. Unfortunately, this slow moving track does more to make old school fans wonder whether or not this could really be the same In Flames that is responsible for the album “Colony” and its predecessors. A high point, though, comes on the track “Crawl Through Knives,” which demonstrates the peak of In Flames new-millennium style, with a gripping melodic chorus.

Granted, “Come Clarity” is consistent. Technically, the album sounds great, with veteran musicianship and crisp production on every track. In the end, it is the formulaic nature of the album which holds it back. A decent effort, but is this all we have to look forward to from such an esteemed band?