The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: The Jester Race
Artist: In Flames
Label: Wrong Again Records
Release Date: 1996

Rating: 4 Skulls
  • Read the Reviews of Clayman
  • Discuss on the Metal Judgment Web Board
  • Submit/Read Reader Reviews of this Album

    • Reviewed by Solomon:
    In Flames should be a name familiar to anyone who has been poking around the metal underground in the last five years. In Flames, along with acts like Dark Tranquility and At The Gates, are among the core group of bands that helped formulate the so-called "Gothenburg" sound of the early to mid-90's. An infectious style much adored and much copied, these Swedish pioneers combined the melodicism of Iron Maiden and the churning grind of Cannibal Corpse to form what is often referred to as, naturally, "melodic death metal." This term is not a bad one to use to describe the both progressive and aggressive music on The Jester Race, but an association with "death metal" may be intimidating to some and inaccurate to others. Tracks like "December Flower," "Graveland," and "Dead Eternity" have their deathier moments but, overall, Jester has more of a power metal feel to it, and the "death" tag may be more appropriate for the vocal style than anything else.

    The Jester Race is a utopia for six-string enthusiasts. Guitarists Jesper Stromblad, Glenn Ljungstrom, and Bjorn Gelotte are not shy about layering multiple parts, using acoustic touches, and employing general punchy, interweaving riff mayhem to achieve that distinctively Swedish brand of melodic chaos. Solos are often overshadowed by a greater emphasis on song development and riff building, although Fredrik Johansson plays a great lead on "December Flower." Not that the leads are bad elsewhere, but it's admirable to hear a band concentrating on putting more gusto into the work as a whole, rather than spotlighting a particular player. The production on the record is not bad, but it is fairly pale sounding. This, plus the softer, distant tone of the lead guitars actually help make the music sound ancient and melancholic, a good match with the poetic and romantic nature of the lyrics. Actually, there are some damn fine lyrics on this record which certainly took some time to pen: "Green is the colour of my death/As in winter-guise I swoop towards the ground/Green is the landscape of my sorrow-filled passing" (Edgar Allen Poe, anyone?). I can't say the death grunt is my favorite vocal style, as I like melody and words you can understand, but it seems to fit pretty well here.

    My favorite In Flames songs are spread out fairly evenly over this and subsequent releases, but "Moonshield," "The Jester's Dance," and the title track stick with me the most on this album. "Moonshield" has a great acoustic intro and has that swinging, triplet folk rhythm which is very unique in a metal context. "Jester's Dance" is too great and too short: gotta love that moody intro and the "Behind Space"-styled riff (0:49). The title song is the jewel in the crown with its awesome, almost "Enter Sandman"-type dynamic build-up and straightforward, driving feel that makes it a true headbanger. "Wayfaerer" also deserves kudos for including some of the happiest guitar parts I've ever heard from a metal band this side of Dream Theater's "Surrounded." Album-wise, I lean more towards Whoracle and Clayman as favorites, but this is really a great example of the New Wave of Swedish Death Metal and a great work from one of metal's top acts of today.
    4 out of 5

    [- Metal Judgment Home -]    [- Email Metal Judgment -]
    ©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.