Being a big fan of In Flames, A Sense Of Purpose was one of the albums I was most looking forward to hearing this year. With their previous release, 2006's Come Clarity, being listed as one of my choices in last years Most Influential Albums Poll it was always going to be interesting to hear how the band had evolved over the last two years. 

Since Come Clarity In Flames have given their fans both ‘Abnegation’ on the Viva La Bam album, and ‘The Mirrors Truth’ single to whet the appetite for the new release and indeed  ‘The Mirrors Truth’ actually opens the album, and is the song that is closest to the Come Clarity sound, being both instant and catchy, thus making it the perfect first song to be released.  It's a track that long time In Flames fans, like myself,  will undoubtedly love and therefore it is perhaps surprising to find that, on first listen, the rest of album proves to slightly underwhelming. You see the band have moved on since Come Clarity, and A Sense Of Purpose is generally slower and more melodic, though it has to be said that Anders Friden’s distinctive vocals are still there, as is that familiar guitar sound. 

Overall the songs give the impression of the slower moments from Reroute To Remain mixed with Fridens’ side project Passenger; the eight minute epic that is ‘The Chosen Pessimist’ certainly has hints of the latter.  However, it is not all slow songs, ‘Move Through Me’ has that older In Flames sound,  ‘Condemned’ has a great heavy riff running through it and ‘Sober And Irrelevant’ is also on the heavier side, and faster and again has that Reroute feel to it. Whether it be a fast or slow song though the lyrics are generally depressing and one look at the track listing will show that the album is not the most upbeat.   

What you will find however is that A Sense Of Purpose is a definite "grower". It's a album that doesn't reward instantly but takes it's time to get into your head and for the listener to fully appreciate just what In Flames have achieved here. In true In Flames style, A Sense Of Purpose is likely to divide their loyal following; the album cover did this alone. Those still wishing for the band to reproduce The Jester Race will, unsurprisingly, be disappointed, however, those that are willing to accept the band’s continuing evolvement should enjoy this no end.

Let us know your views on A Sense Of Purpose

Track Listing

The Mirrors Truth
Disconnected
Sleepless Again
Alias
I'm the Highway
Delight and Angers
Move Through Me
The Chosen Pessimist
Sober and Irrelevant
Condemned
Drenched In Fear
March To The Shore

Line Up

Anders Friden – Vocals
Bjorn Gelotte – Guitar
Daniel Svensson – Drums
Jesper Strömblad – Guitar
Peter Iwers – Bass

Related Links

Bjorn Gelotte - Interview

Come Clarity - Album Review

Soundtrack To Your Escape - Album Review