The first time I came across In Flames was when they supported Slipknot back in 2001. However it wasn’t until several years later that I actually started to listen to them properly. Thanks to their video for Trigger, which received some air play over here, I was then converted to the melodic Swedish death metal quintet, and have since seen them every time they have played Manchester. 

When this album originally came out I honestly wasn’t a big fan, only really listening to the single “Trigger” and the title track, “Reroute To Remain”. However in recent years, after many plays of the album, I have come to realize that, in reality, Reroute To Remain is one hell of an album with every song having the potential to be a single. Many fans may criticize this as being In Flames most commercial release, however it was more of a stepping stone from the heavier “Clayman” and before the more experimental “Soundtrack To Your Escape”. 

Reroute To Remain is an influential album because, not only does it show In Flames at their peak with inspiring tracks like “System”, “Drifter” and the majesty of “Black and White”, but it also opened the door for this reviewer into the very diverse scene that is Swedish metal. From the power metal escapades of Hammerfall though to some of my favourite heavy bands like Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, and Opeth, as well as some of their Nuclear Blast label mates like Soilwork and Sonic Syndicate.

This album may seem like a radio friendly unit shifter, to quote Nirvana, but at the end of the day it is one of the best albums In Flames have ever released. Instead of releasing an album with a few good songs, they released an album of classics. They later repeated this form on their latest album “Come Clarity”, another firm favourite of mine!

Let us know your views on Reroute To Remain

Track Listing

Reroute To Remain
System
Drifter
Trigger
Cloud Connected
Transparent
Dawn Of A New Day
Egonomic
Minus
Dismiss The Cynic
Free Fall
Dark Signs
Metaphor
Black & White

Line Up

Anders Fridén – Vocals
Jesper Strömblad – Guitars
Björn Gelotte – Guitars
Peter Iwers – Bass
Daniel Svensson – Drums