In Flames

The Afghan Whigs

Not just a return to form, but this record feels anachronistic in the best way — a LARGE sounding rock ‘n roll record that is dark, emotional and timeless. Ten punishing songs of desperation, but silver-lined with a kind of maturity and hope. It features big passionate vocals (Has Dulli has ever sounded better?) with subtle, pitch-perfect backing from the late, great Mark Lanegan. I’m still amazed how big they go without it ever feeling overwrought.

Dulli has never gone away, really — not with the Twilight Singers, his solo records, Gutter Twins, etc. But this specific record feels like he’s newly inspired and focussed with an impressive batch of songs that deliver. And I love the call back to the album title IN FLAMES, the final track. This beauty follows a nihilist, almost film noir character who’s alone and hellbent on staying out all night and having a good time on the dark side of town. The wild light sent to save him is FIRE which might be his final purge. 🔥

Snowblind and left behind
I'm on the street and
I'm looking for a good time
I'll be the way you see me now

Sundown
Look all around
You've dropped in
On the dark side of a dark town
I'll be the way you see me now

The sun is sinking
On the ten
Not even I can buy a friend
I know you know that you will be
In flames with me
In flames with me

A wild light
Sent to save me (sent to save me)
Set me free (set me free)
Set me free (set me free)

The sun is sinking
On the ten
Not even I can buy a friend
I know you know that you will be
In flames with me
In flames with me

I'll be
The way, the wall, the sea
A memory
Of everything I've seen
I'm an orphan, it's four in the morning
I'm breathing in ashes in so many ways
Until then

In flames
In flames
In flames
In flames