Throwback: 10 Best Metal Albums Of 2000
9. In Flames - "Clayman"
Melodic death metal titans In Flames returned in 2000 with "Clayman," the follow-up to their hugely successful fourth album, "Colony."
"Clayman" seems to be one of those albums that people really love or really hate, the marmite of melodic death, if you will. While not overwhelmingly heavy, "Clayman" is seeping with melody, and whilst down to personal taste (meaning the purists may cry that this is a black eye on the career of In Flames), it's a crying shame that the album isn't more widely recognised as In Flames diversifying their sound and showcasing their ability to do so, and to do it well. Having said that, earlier this year the band did re-record title track, Clay Man, and released a hard-hitting lyric video to accompany it.
The enthusiastic and energetic axe-wielding from Jesper Stromblad and Bjorn Geolette isn't difficult to digest, unlike many death metal albums of the 2000s, and the two contribute hugely to the band's signature sound. The assortment of riffs are flashy and ostentatious without being an unbearable overload and very rarely do they disappoint. "Clayman" diversifies from the beaten path of In Flames' previous work, and received critique for being "too" different. However, In Flames' trademark stamps still remain in the form of thunderous drums, gut-wrenching riffs and atmospheric vocals, giving it a well-deserved spot on this list.