Reroute to Remain

Reroute to Remain is an extremely important transitional work on which In Flames, while keeping the sure core of melodic death metal, boldly takes in more modern rhythm, electronic texture and clear hooks. This work, subtitled “14 Songs of Conscious Insanity,” clearly steers from the early pure Gothenburg sound. The guitar is still sharp, yet a new alternative-metal sense strongly hangs over the songs’ construction. From the power of the opening title track “Reroute to Remain” and the aggression of “System” to the speeding popular “Trigger,” every song is engaging. And the catchy classic “Cloud Connected,” which boldly introduced clean vocals, vividly symbolizes the band’s new direction, while a cut like “Drifter” conveys the work’s fullness. A record whose vigorous stance, never fearing change, gives the album a distinctive, sure tension. The old beauty and a new modern aggression collide fiercely. Though there were parts that divided opinion among former fans, it can be called an extremely important turning point that defined the band’s subsequent leap in commercial success. A record where the band’s new challenge shines.