Wikipedia / Whoracle
Wikipedia / Whoracle
Whoracle is the third studio album by Swedish heavy metal band In Flames, released on 18 November 1997. The title of the album is a portmanteau of the English words "whore" and "oracle". It is the final In Flames album to feature Johan Larsson and Glenn Ljungström. It is also the last release with Björn Gelotte playing drums, as he permanently switched to lead guitar in future releases.
In 2020, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 1997 by Metal Hammer magazine.
Overview
Apart from "Everything Counts", which is a cover of a Depeche Mode song, all songs were composed and arranged by In Flames. The lyrics were translated by Dark Tranquillity guitarist Niklas Sundin, as Anders Fridén was not confident in his English.
Fredrik Nordström noted that it was not easy to record at times, since the band members usually preferred drinking beer and playing Tekken 3.
While some regard Whoracle as a concept album, guitarist Jesper Strömblad denied this. He acknowledged reading reports that Fridén came up with a story around the end and rebirth of the world, but recalled events differently and said the album wasn't solely about that.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Niklas Sundin and Anders Fridén.
2010 re-issueGoliaths Disarm Their Davids4:58Jotun (Live)3:38Food for the Gods (Live)4:1155:16Personnel
In Flames
Jesper Strömblad – lead and acoustic guitar, keyboardss, percussion
Glenn Ljungström – rhythm guitar
Björn Gelotte – drums, percussion, lead and acoustic guitar
Other personnel
Ulrika Netterdahl – female vocals on song "Whoracle"
The Whoracle concept conjured and verbalized by Niklas Sundin and Anders Fridén
Lyrics written by Niklas Sundin following original synopsis by Anders Fridén
All music composed and arranged by In Flames except "Everything Counts" by Martin Lee Gore of Depeche Mode
Recorded and produced by Fredrik Nordström with assistance from In Flames
Engineered by Anders Fridén and Fredrik Nordström
Mixed by Fredrik Nordström and Anders Fridén
Mastered by Goran Finnberg and Fredrik Nordstrom at the Mastering Room Gbg
Cover artwork by Andreas Marschall
Photos by Kenneth Johansson
All songs published by Prophecies Publishing Hamburg except "Everything Counts"
"Everything Counts" published by Grabbing Hands Music Ltd, sub-published by EMI Music Germany
References