Are there really many bands today in heavy metal that really have achieved to have a certain status through many releases and a remarkably recognizable sound, regardless of any latest trend or new stage, and also support this music always with quality releases and are in their mature blossom of their creativity and not just another of the old classic metal bands? Certainly not and one of these bands is In Flames so, two thumbs up for them...

They now release their new cd and the only thing to be sure about is that they do not continue from where left off with the previous “Come Clarity”. “A Sense Of Purpose” reminds a bit of “A Soundtrack To Your Escape” and less of “Clayman” but mainly like in every In Flames album there is a special atmosphere that connects all of the new songs. One cannot help but notice the dirty almost hard rock guitar distortions, for example in the intro of “The Mirror’s Truth” , I felt stunned by the slow epic “Alias”, a song that In Flames had never composed similar to it before Later on I was almost hypnotized by the atmospheric and melancholic “The Chosen Pessimist” which is also the most “avant garde”, if one can say that , creation of the album. Of course, the speedy songs, the classic by now In Flames harmonies, the melodic passages and some beautiful changes of tempos are not absent. The lyrics are a special chapter too. They are as always personal, bitter and ironically poetic. I feel I should refer to the wonderful lines: “You receive what you give and this is like…nothing- I feel like shit but at least I feel something”…!

Closing, there is one thing I know: the new In Flames songs will take a lot of time to stop sounding from my stereo’s speakers. May the force be with you Jesters!