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Foregone

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Foregone
Studio album by
In Flames
Released10 February 2023 (2023-02-10)
StudioWest Valley Recording, Woodland Hills, California
Genre
Length46:46
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerHoward Benson
In Flames chronology
I, the Mask
(2019) 		Foregone
(2023)
Singles from Foregone
  1. "State of Slow Decay"
    Released: 13 June 2022
  2. "The Great Deceiver"
    Released: 1 August 2022
  3. "Foregone, Pt. 1"
    Released: 15 September 2022
  4. "Foregone, Pt. 2"
    Released: 7 November 2022
  5. "Meet Your Maker"
    Released: 16 January 2023

Foregone is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish heavy metal band In Flames. The album was released on February 10th, 2023 through Nuclear Blast and was produced by Howard Benson. It is the first album by the band to feature guitarist Chris Broderick who replaced Niclas Engelin and the first to entirely feature drums performed by Tanner Wayne. It is also the last album to feature the band's bassist Bryce Paul before he left the band in June 2023.[2]

Background and promotion

[edit]

On June 13th, 2022, In Flames announced they were re-signing with Nuclear Blast and released the single "State of Slow Decay";[3] the song was noted for having a sound similar to the band's earlier melodic death metal tracks.[4][5] On August 1st, the band released the single "The Great Deceiver".[6] On September 15th, In Flames announced their fourteenth album, Foregone, would be released on February 10th, 2023.[7] The same day as the album's announcement, the band released a visualizer for a third single, "Foregone, Pt. 1".[8] "Foregone, Pt. 2" was released as the album's fourth single on 7 November along with a music video.[9] On January 16th, 2023, one month before the album release, they unveiled the fifth single "Meet Your Maker" and its corresponding music video.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Blabbermouth.net8.5/10[12]
Distorted Sound9/10[13]
Kerrang![14]
Metal Injection9/10[15]
MetalSucks[16]
Rock Hard8.5/10[17]
Rock 'N' Load8/10[18]
Rock Sins7/10[19]
Wall of Sound9/10[20]

The album has received critical acclaim from numerous publications. AllMusic gave the album a positive review saying, "Foregone [...] has a raw, bass-heavy, crunchy sound, with their usual highly melodic lines and harmonic solos present and correct, and a philosophical tone engendered by the imposed isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown."[11] Dom Lawson from Blabbermouth.net gave the album 8.5 out of 10 and said: "Foregone is the finest album to bear the band's name since at least Come Clarity. Don't be surprised if they make an ambient jazz record next, but right now this sounds like the best of all possible worlds and a late-career triumph."[12] Graham Ray of Distorted Sound scored the album 9 out of 10 and said: "In Flames have finally created an album that mixes their old and new styles together organically. Nothing sounds forced and everything works to almost perfection. Foregone is the best album the band have produced in the last 15-20 years and it's a pleasure to see them back with a fire well and truly lit beneath them."[13] Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "Foregone is a reminder that when In Flames are at the peak of their powers, they really are untouchable. This is a record that will see them finally reassert their dominance, and ring in their next colossal era."[14] Metal Injection rated the album 9 out of 10 and stated, "Foregone is a gift to fans who have stuck it out with In Flames all these years, as well as the new fans they've picked up along the way who might be ready for something heavier. It covers every genre and style the band has ever messed around with, bringing them into one cohesive whole. Don't skip any songs on Foregone. There aren't any bad tracks. The album's second half is marginally better than its first, but both are so good it feels unfair to compare them. It will all depend on which era of the band the listener prefers."[15]

MetalSucks rated the album 4.5 out of 5 and said: "While the last few years have been turbulent for those waiting for In Flames to reclaim their mojo, they needn't worry any further. Foregone is a stick of dynamite with a first-place ribbon attached; a sensational rejuvenation that even the staunchest doomsayers will have a hard time picking apart. Even with the faults present, it blends what made the band so good in their prime with the unique components of the current line-up to make an album that stands well within the territory of the best they've put out before it. Rejoice, people, for In Flames have returned – and how."[16] The reviewer for Rock Hard wrote that "Melodic death metal tracks like 'State of Slow Decay', 'Meet Your Maker', 'Foregone, Pt. 1' or 'The Great Deceiver' emphatically point out with their qualities why In Flames are counted among the founders of the typical Gothenburg sound. Tempo, heaviness, riffing and melody are perfectly banlanced here and invoke some cozy memories of the early 2000s, which is even enhanced by a few folky excursions."[17] Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "Foregone is a high-class album that might not bring anything new to its discography, but what it does do is show others just how good an album can be from front to back. I'm not convinced that this album falls into the Death Metal arena, more of a Metal offering for the masses to enjoy."[18] Tasha Brown of Rock Sins rated the album 7 out of 10 and said: "Foregone may well become one of those cult albums for some and remain a point of vexation for others. For the moment, however, we fall tentatively within the latter."[19] Wall of Sound gave the album a positive review saying: "The balancing act In Flames have pulled off is pretty impressive, giving just enough of the 'old In Flames' while continuing their evolution beyond the confines of generic death metal. The fact is the band have consistently delivered albums, even with lineup changes, that are damn heavy and progress their connection with their audience."[20]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Anders Fridén and Björn Gelotte; all music is composed by Anders Fridén, Björn Gelotte, and Howard Benson

Foregone track listing
No.TitleLength
1."The Beginning of All Things That Will End"2:13
2."State of Slow Decay"3:58
3."Meet Your Maker"3:57
4."Bleeding Out"4:01
5."Foregone, Pt. 1"3:24
6."Foregone, Pt. 2"4:30
7."Pure Light of Mind"4:26
8."The Great Deceiver"3:45
9."In the Dark"4:17
10."A Dialogue in B flat minor"4:28
11."Cynosure"4:05
12."End the Transmission"3:42
Total length:46:46
Box set edition bonus track & Bonus Edition
No.TitleLength
13."Become One"3:28
Total length:50:14

Personnel

[edit]

In Flames

Additional personnel

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Foregone
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] 63
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[22] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 20
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 29
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[25] 90
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[26] 60
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[27] 4
French Albums (SNEP)[28] 63
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[30] 32
Italian Albums (FIMI)[31] 93
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[32] 21
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[33] 21
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[34] 10
Scottish Albums (OCC)[35] 15
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[36] 22
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[37] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[39] 79
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[40] 6
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[41] 3
US Billboard 200[42] 110
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[43] 16
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[44] 7
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[45] 16

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "In Flames - Foregone". Time for Metal (in German). 21 January 2023.
  2. ^ "In Flames Part Ways With Bassist Bryce Paul, Touring Replacement Named". Loudwire. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  3. ^ "IN FLAMES Releases New Single 'State Of Slow Decay', Announces Fall 2022 North American Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Hear In Flames' New Melodeath Rager "State of Slow Decay"". Revolver. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  5. ^ Aarons, Ricky (13 June 2022). "In Flames Returns With Blistering 'State Of Slow Decay' Single". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Hear In Flames' Crushing New Song "The Great Deceiver"". Revolver. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  7. ^ "IN FLAMES - announce new album Foregone!". 15 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  8. ^ Hadusek, Jon (15 September 2022). "In Flames Announce New Album, Unveil "Foregone Pt. 1"". Consequence. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  9. ^ "IN FLAMES Releases Music Video For 'Foregone Pt. 2'". Blabbermouth.net. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  10. ^ "IN FLAMES Shares Music Video For New Single 'Meet Your Maker'". Blabbermouth.net. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  11. ^ a b D. Buchanan, John. "In Flames Foregone". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  12. ^ a b Lawson, Dom (10 February 2023). "IN FLAMES Foregone". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b Ray, Graham (7 February 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: Foregone – In Flames". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  14. ^ a b Hingle, James (13 February 2023). "Album review: In Flames – Foregone". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  15. ^ a b Morin, Max (8 February 2023). "Album Review: IN FLAMES Foregone". Metal Injection. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b Mylde, Jakk (8 February 2023). "Review: In Flames' Foregone Sparks a New Fire". MetalSucks. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  17. ^ a b Schleutermann, Marcus (10 February 2023). "IN FLAMES Foregone". Rock Hard. Retrieved 13 February 2023. Melodic-Death-Metal-Nummern wie 'State of Slow Decay', 'Meet Your Maker', 'Foregone, Pt. 1' oder 'The Great Deceiver' machen mit ihren Qualitäten nachdrücklich klar, warum IN FLAMES zu den Gründern des typischen Göteborg-Sounds zählen. Tempo, Härte, Riffing und Melodie stehen hier in einem perfekten Verhältnis zueinander und wecken wohlige Erinnerungen an die frühen Zweitausender, die einige Folk-Schlenker noch verstärken.
  18. ^ a b "In Flames // Foregone // Album Review". Rock 'N' Load. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  19. ^ a b Brown, Tasha (9 February 2023). "In Flames – Foregone". Rock Sins. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  20. ^ a b Draven, KJ (3 February 2023). "In Flames – Foregone (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  21. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 20 February 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1720. Australian Recording Industry Association. 20 February 2023. p. 6.
  22. ^ "Austriancharts.at – In Flames – Foregone" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Ultratop.be – In Flames – Foregone" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – In Flames – Foregone" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  25. ^ "In Flames Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – In Flames – Foregone" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  27. ^ "In Flames: Foregone" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  28. ^ "Top Albums (Week 7, 2023)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – In Flames – Foregone" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 7. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 7 (dal 10.02.2023 al 16.02.2023)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-02-20/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2023/02/15 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Album 2023 uke 07". VG-lista. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  36. ^ "Top 100 Albums Weekly". El portal de Música. Promusicae. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 7". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  38. ^ "Swisscharts.com – In Flames – Foregone". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  39. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  40. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  41. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  42. ^ "In Flames Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  43. ^ "In Flames Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  44. ^ "In Flames Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  45. ^ "In Flames Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
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