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Regain Records just re-issued In Flames' first album and EP on a single 17-track CD.  67 minutes of non-stop In Flames.  Can you feel the joy? :)  Lunar Strain comprises the first 10 songs while the remaining 7 are from the Subterranean EP.  After listening to this collection of their early material, I can say without hesitation that the In Flames guys have ruled from their early days up to their most recent release, Colony.  This album has a few short tracks of  what at least sounds like a violin and some acoustic guitar (the CD booklet doesn't say anything), this stuff coming when you would least expect it, right after the heaviest and fastest songs.  To me this ranges from a little annoying to just great.  There's a lot of heavy, raw guitar riffs on this album which makes one just feel like headbanging.  I have to mention one song in particular, "Everlost (Part II)", which is sung by a female vocalist - just great.  I wished they had included a picture of her :).  This song absolutely doesn't sound like metal but it is one of my favorite on the album.  Overall, you get a good taste of In Flames' musical abilities, just in case anyone ever doubted them.

In short, this is simply a great In Flames album.  One of my best purchase this year.