The actual differences between the early sound and the latter sound
A lot of us have probably heard Anders say things in interviews like, "Well, there's really not that much difference between the old sound and the new sound" and while I think both obviously share some core sonic tropes, there's obviously a difference in feel between the two. What are these differences, exactly?
In my opinion, I think there are two distinct differences that separate the early sound from the latter sound. One primary difference is the death and black metal influence, which is much more prominent on Lunar Strain through Whoracle. You see this in their melodic choices, in the blastbeats they occasionally use, and the twiddly tremelo picking that is such a huge part of early Swedish death, melodic death, and black metal. I think what set In Flames apart was obviously their choice to go beyond the typical black-death sound and include more melodic passages and Iron Maiden style harmony riffs, helping to create the Gothenburg "melodeath" sound.
But I think this second difference is more fundamental: the influence of traditional Swedish folk music, giving In Flames almost the aire of a folk metal band. This is so foundational to their early sound, you can see it everywhere: the 3/4—6/8 sea shanty shuffle riffs both fast and slow, the acoustic outros and instrumentals, and even the melodic choices themselves, giving In Flames a baroque, medieval vibe on the early records.
Combining these two traits together, we get a band more aligned with Scandinavian death and power metal bands of the era, and this is directly evident in Jesper's shared history with HammerFall.
The newer sound is no longer based in death and folk influences, and while it does incorporate similar riffs—the third harmonized syncopated leads—it begins from a completely different framework, one of more traditional rock and roll structures. The early sound was almost progressive at times, and most newer songs, even on Foregone, have a verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo structure, despite still incorporating more trad In Flames riffage. The melodies are also often different, lacking in the same minor mode sound with a medieval folk flair.
Wrapping things up, I think the foundation of the latter day sound is a post-millennium metalcore, post-hardcore and conventional metal aesthetic—not death, black and folk—with early trad In Flames sounds peppered on top. The old sound had a death, black and folk base with a new melodic sensibility peppered on top. Both sounds have different fundamentals, but similar accents.
This is not to say that I dislike the latter day stuff, of course. I'm just trying to see where the conflict is between older fans and newer fans, and I want to try and understand the actual change in sound, despite Anders claming there is little change. I personally like their entire career. As a black and death metal fan, it tend to prefer the early stuff, but I've grown to appreciate the newer as well.
Is there anything you disagree with? How do you think In Flames has actually, fundamentally changed over the years? Would love some opinions.