the guitar sound, production, vocals, and composition are better than the last 3 in flames albums. i don't think it's a particularly valid comparison anyway, as it's not *that* similar stylistically, either, imo.

I completely disagree with this comparison of Raintime to In Flames. The former is more progressive than In Flames, they are also more industrial, they use more clean vocals than In Flames do, and they are considered by most to be power metal, and by many to be progressive power. In flames is melodic death metal....In Flames isn't progressive either. I hope people don't trust "Jeff". I hope they go and have a listen themselves. He's right about good things coming still though. Raintime have only released 2 albums so far and both have been very good. In Flames have been on the down and out for a while now.

I agree with brclmu, except for that In Flames comment at the end. Talking about this album from Raintime, it's amazing, perfect score in my opinion, even the MJ cover came out nicely!

"Finally Me" (track #5) is mind-boggling!

Why does everyone hate the melodic death genre? Just because it sounds like another band? This band is unique enough for me to enjoy but Norther and Amon Amarth those are a different story. I mean I listen to many genres but this still sounds fu*king excellent and its still unique in its own way. I'd say 9/10

beat it, beat it. beat it, beat it. no one wants to be defeated.

pretty good band. i don't think anyone could've redone a michael jackson song as well as they did. on top of that, they write pretty good music. it isn't your typical run-of-the-mill stuff, so it's always nice to listen to when you're tired of the same old crap. 7.5/10

Yeah I usually take any reviews written by "Jeff" with a pinch of salt because he rarely knows what he talks about. "Raintime" doesnt sound ANYTHING like In Flames, since when is In Flames progressive powermetal with soaring clean vocal chorusses? You seriously need to LISTEN to the albums before writing reviews... so do that next time and maybe we'll get more accurate reviews from now on...

In conclusion: Dont listen to Jeff, Raintime isnt an In Flames copy whatoever, way more progressive and if there ARE some In Flames influences its probably along the lines of "Pinball Map" from the classic "Clayman" album in 2000 - which in my book isnt a bad thing.

Awesome progressive powermetal, with cunning little melodic twists and turns along the way.
9/10

Right Jeff... because all other categories of metal (Black, Death, Power, Orchestral, etc.) don't all sound exactly the same either.

I have to join with everyone else and say that the In Flames comparison is complete BS. This is like the people who compare every melodic Finnish band to HIM or Entwine... you question if they've ever even taken the time to listen to the bands.

I enjoy this album very much. It's nothing spectacular, but it's still very good and very catchy.

Why is being accessible such a sin here on metalstorm? Does everything have to sound like chaotic noise and pure shit to be true metal?

8/10

Thank you Jeff for this review
this album very good

This review seems to have its focus on the title track, which is the most Swedish Death-influenced. Most tracks have nothing to do with In Flames, though, and the prog power is everywhere. And the clean vocals are 80's heavy metal, not cheesy teen metalcore like IF... Flies & Lies is a great prog Gothenburg album, particularly the title track, Tears Of Sorrow, The Black Well and the Michael Jackson cover Beat It. No In Flames track has beautiful keyboards like The Black Well or soaring choruses like Tears Of Sorrow.