In Flames - The Jester Race [Transparent Yellow Vinyl]

In Flames brought the Gothenburg melodic death metal sound into sharper form on The Jester Race, the band's second album and a defining title in its catalog. This transparent yellow vinyl record highlights the album's mix of twin-guitar leads, harsh vocals, acoustic breaks, and recurring Jester imagery. It also marks the first In Flames album with Anders Friden on lead vocals and Bjorn Gelotte on drums, a lineup shift that shaped the band's next era.

"Moonshield" opens with acoustic guitar before the band moves into fast melodic death metal, giving the album one of its most recognizable introductions. "The Jester's Dance" works as a short instrumental piece, shifting the pace without leaving the record's guitar-led identity. "Artifacts Of The Black Rain" brings a more forceful attack, with lead-guitar movement and harsh vocals pushed forward. "December Flower" adds one of the album's standout lead-guitar moments, while "Dead God In Me" closes the set with heavier pacing.

Much of The Jester Race deals in mythic language, fallen worlds, inner conflict, and the Jester figure that became part of the band's identity. The lyrics were developed by Anders Friden and Niklas Sundin, with "Dead Eternity" carrying lyrics by Jocke Gothberg. Fredrik Nordstrom produced the album with In Flames at Studio Fredman, tying the record to the Gothenburg metal scene.

• Format: Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: Moonshield, The Jester's Dance, Artifacts Of The Black Rain, December Flower
• Pressing details: Transparent Yellow Vinyl
• Genre/style: Melodic Death Metal, Swedish Death Metal, Heavy Metal
• UPC: 4065629763237

The Jester Race is a major In Flames title because the songs join melody, aggression, acoustic passages, and fantasy-driven writing without turning away from death metal. "Moonshield," "Artifacts Of The Black Rain," and "December Flower" show that range.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Moonshield
2. The Jester's Dance
3. Artifacts Of The Black Rain
4. Graveland
5. Lord Hypnos
6. Dead Eternity (Additional Vocals: Oscar Dronjak)
   

Side B:

1. The Jester Race
2. December Flower
3. Wayfarer
4. Dead God In Me