Down, Wicked & No Good

Released in 2017, 'Down, Wicked & No Good' is a four-track covers EP that serves as a significant stylistic detour for In Flames. Coming on the heels of their 'Battles' era, the EP highlights the band's increasing interest in alternative rock and electronic textures. The tracklist is a curated journey through influential melancholia, featuring Depeche Mode, Alice in Chains, Chris Isaak, and Nine Inch Nails. The inclusion of 'It's No Good' emphasizes their synth-pop influences, while 'Down in a Hole' and 'Wicked Game' showcase their ability to translate grunge and crooner-pop into a heavy-rock context. The final track, a live cover of 'Hurt', demonstrates the band's capacity for raw, stripped-back performance. Critically, the EP polarized long-time fans of their melodic death metal era but was noted for its high production values and Fridén's evolving vocal range. It stands as a testament to the band's refusal to be pigeonholed by their genre origins.