In Flames live

Haven't written anything in a long time, so I'll update with a concert review.

I went to see In Flames last night with Drew and Jon and several of Drew's friends from JMU. We missed the first opener, Zao, but that's fine with me, mostly because I didn't think too much of the next two, whom we did see. The first was Devil Driver, who struck me as very generic and didn't really have anything special about them. I don't really like screaming vocals all that much; In Flames does a pretty good job of balancing it out but even their vocals get to me sometimes. Devil Driver was all cookie-monster growling. Not a fan. Their songs all sounded the same to me. Add that to the "fuck"-laced crowd interactions and you've got a stereotypical "look at me, I'm tough and totally hardcore" band.

Next up was Trivium. I'd never heard them before, and they struck me as just ok. Some of their songs had the same problems as Devil Driver's. Again the vocals were not my favorite. But unlike DD they did have some good guitar work that stood out in a couple of songs. I may check out an album of theirs and see if I like it, we'll see. The best part of their segment was their tribute of sorts to the late Dimebag Darrell; they played a little Pantera medley that was really killer.

Finally the main event came. I know, if you're reading this you're probably wondering how I can like In Flames so much if I have the complaints listed above. Here's what separates In Flames from the rest of their genre: they write songs that are not just the same old riff rehashed, they mix some actual singing into their screaming, and most important - they have amazing guitar parts. It really highlights what a difference good songwriting makes... the guys in the other bands were obviously very skilled at their instruments, but unless the song is well written it's all a waste. In Flames rocked. The highlights for me were: Pinball Map (opener, a great choice), Cloud Connected, Behind Space, and my two favorites, Only for the Weak and Colony. They played many other good songs, but those were the ones that for me really made the show. They also didn't swear at me between songs like the others did, which I liked. Call me a carebear, but I don't need to be abused by someone I paid to see... I don't understand the people who enjoy being called motherfuckers, etc. It doesn't make you a badass, I promise.

Anyway all in all it was a good show, well worth the money and the drive. I'm very tired and my ears can still sort of feel the effects.

Song of the day is In Flames's "Colony" off the album of the same name. Great, great riffs.