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"Sounds of a Playground Fading" is the band's tenth studio album. However, it is the first album without the aid of guitarist and original member Jesper Stromblad. Jesper had to step down to get treatment for his alcohol abuse problem. Even when Jesper was in the band they evolved their melodic elements to overtake the heavier ones. This is even more apparent on the new disc.
In Flames doesn't really seem to have as much of a crushing edge they used to have in their early days, also not quite at the intensity it use to be. Their modern metal sound, as in "Sounds of a Playground Fading" is more polished and cleaned up, but has their prodigious catchy melodies for which they are known.
At the forefront is the awesome choruses. There is a certain mystique to how they put them together that I'm sure In Flames fans know all about. Lots of quality riffs throughout the record. Even without Jesper in the ranks this is still very solid musically. The entire album was written by Bjorn Gelotte. So you could say that his imprint is all over the disc. All Lyrics were handled by Anders Friden as you may expect.
The majority of the songs I was able to get into pretty easily. Though there weren't many standout tracks for me as certain elements seem to gel into on another. A few that I got into the most include the title track "Sounds of a Playground Fading," the singles, "Deliver Us" and "Where the Dead Ships Dwell". Also "Enter Tragedy," I really dig the powerful lead riff, very catchy.
"Sounds of a Playground Fading" isn't a groundbreaking album but maybe a little more dynamic than the last few efforts. If you have been a fan of the In Flames since "Reroute to Remain" then this disc should suffice.
Rating: 81
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins