In Flames Re-Recorded “Clayman” and the Internet LOVES It

In Flames have announced a super-duper-deluxe twentieth anniversary edition of their 2000 melodeath masterpiece, Clayman.

And could there be any better way to to celebrate the enduring legacy of such a seminal album than to re-record nearly a third of it? Duh: you re-record nearly a third of it with a version of the band that’s only 2/5ths populated by dudes who were actually on the original Clayman.

Which is precisely what In Flames have done! The anniversary edition of Clayman will include re-recorded versions of “Bullet Ride,” “Pinball Map,” “Only for the Weak,” and the title track.

Says frontman Anders Fridén in what is apparently a completely un-ironic statement:

“This record changed our career in a number of ways. Being the 20th anniversary this year, we had to do something massive for the fans. Going back into the studio to re-record some of the original tracks took us right back in time to when we first recorded them. Every detail of the new artwork and visuals was deeply thought out keeping in mind what the Jesterheads would want to see most. This one’s for you. Thank you for 20 years of ‘Clayman.’”

As I was saying, three of In Flames’ five current members — guitarist Niclas Engelin, bassist Bryce Paul, and drummer Tanner Wayne — weren’t in the band when they made Clayman, so I very much doubt it took them back to a time when the songs were first recorded.

Regardless, at least the re-recordings will probably sound coo-

OH JESUS HARRIET CHRIST.

Shockingly, fan comments left beneath the “Clayman” video on YouTube suggest that fans aren’t feeling it:

The new Clayman comes out August 28. In addition to the re-recorded stuff, the anniversary edition “comes entirely remastered by Ted Jensen (Pantera, Deftones, Gojira) and features all new artwork in a 16-page booklet [and] a brand-new instrumental medley,” according to the press release.