Ropes

With an urgent vocal by lead singer Anders Fridén, "Ropes" became one of In Flames most popular songs. The "ropes" are a metaphor for the constraints and pressures we often feel, and in the song, Fridén offers to untie them - something that isn't easy to do. "This song is about helping someone, being there for someone, and how important that is when you see your friends or your family go down," he said in our 2015 interview. "How that is hurting you, but at the same time a lot of people just don't want to take part in that and reach out with a helping hand, because it would be too tough on them. Instead, you should quit your ego and start bringing this person up. Be there. The song is about how important that is."

Sounds of a Playground Fading was the first In Flames album recorded without guitarist Jesper Strömblad, who left the band in 2010. Instead of replacing Strömblad, the band carried on with just one guitarist: Björn Gelotte. The album was well-received by fans and sold well in a wide range of territories, including Germany, where it went to #1.