In Flames released their sixth album, “Clayman”, on July 25, 2000 via Nuclear Blast — and with it closed their first, “pure” melodic death metal period. Matt Kantor of AllMusic gave it four stars, writing that “with some of their best writing to date, they continue to tighten a sound that could appeal to fans from Queensrÿche and Arch Enemy to Satyricon.”
Country: Sweden
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
For fans of: Dark Tranquillity, At the Gates, Arch Enemy
The listen
“Clayman” found In Flames tightening their sound: Jesper Strömblad’s trademark melodies meet more mainstream rock and metal elements, resulting in a record that is hard to categorize. “Bullet Ride” opens with mid-tempo grooves, “Pinball Map” is one of their most energetic tracks, and “Only for the Weak” became an enduring live classic — and one of the best-known songs in all of melodic death metal.
The title track “Clayman” has strong power metal influences, while tracks like “Square Nothing” and “Satellites and Astronauts” show their more atmospheric side. “Suburban Me” features a guest solo from Arch Enemy’s Christopher Amott, and “Another Day in Quicksand” closes the record with the same energy.
Anders Fridén’s lyrics touch on themes of depression and inner struggles, and for some fans “Clayman” remains In Flames’ last “good” album before they turned more commercial. It is certainly the point where the band reached the peak of the Gothenburg sound — and in 2020 it was re-recorded and reissued as “Clayman (2020 Re-recorded).”
Tracklist
1. Bullet Ride
2. Pinball Map
3. Only for the Weak
4. …As the Future Repeats Today
5. Square Nothing
6. Clayman
7. Satellites and Astronauts
8. Brush the Dust Away
9. Swim
10. Suburban Me
11. Another Day in Quicksand
See also
In Flames & Trivium: European tour in 2027 · Dark Tranquillity – The Gallery
