In Flames is a Swedish melodic death metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper… Read Full Bio ↴In Flames is a Swedish melodic death metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990. Alongside At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity, In Flames pioneered the genres known as Swedish death metal and melodic death metal.

During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album Reroute to Remain (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide.

Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release being their thirteenth studio album I, the Mask in 2019. In Flames has been nominated for three Grammis Awards. They won two of these nominations; one for Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) in the "Hard Rock/Metal of the Year" category, and one nomination for their following album Come Clarity (2006) in the same category.

Coerced Coexistance
In Flames Lyrics

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I'll take you on a ride
As a part-owner to my pain
Our ideals they collide
Coerced coexistence

I fought the world today - postpone my birth again
We stumble on and one - but bound to die alone

Pain - I'm selling my soul today
Pain - I need some sympathy

This infiltrates my brain
"in the sunshine the sun is mine"
Pitiless wanderer
Close your eyes and bow your head
Grotesque thoughts in a line
threw my wings onto the blazing sun
Smile stretched on old trees
Eternal Grining jester masque

Pain - I'm selling my soul today
Pain - I need some sympathy

Don't hurt a fly they all sing
We're just ants in a great big play
commercialize-infect-annihilate-progress
visualize-inhale-pretend-betray

I'll take you on a ride
As a part-owner to my pain

Pain - I'm selling my soul today
Pain - I need some sympathy

Don't hurt a fly they all sing
We're just ants in a great big play

commercialize-infect-annihilate-progress
visualize-inhale-pretend-betray

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of In Flames's song Coerced Coexistence seem to be about the struggles and conflicts that people face while trying to exist in the society. The lines "Our ideals they collide, coerced coexistence" suggest that even though people have their own beliefs and ideas, they are forced to live together, despite their differences. The lines "Pain - I'm selling my soul today, Pain - I need some sympathy" show that despite trying to move past the pain, they are still struggling to find solace and understanding from others.

The verse "Don't hurt a fly they all sing, We're just ants in a great big play, commercialize-infect-annihilate-progress, visualize-inhale-pretend-betray" seems to convey the message that people are stuck in a vicious cycle of consumerism and destruction. The lines "visualize-inhale-pretend-betray" suggest that people are pretending to care, while in reality, they are only thinking about their own interests.

Overall, the song seems to be conveying a message about the struggles of existence in a society that is bound by commercialism and individualism. It also shows the pain and struggle that people face while trying to move past their own internal conflicts.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll take you on a ride
I will lead and guide you through my experience

As a part-owner to my pain
You will share and bear witness to my suffering

Our ideals they collide
Our beliefs and values clash with each other

Coerced coexistence
We are forced to coexist despite our differences

I fought the world today - postpone my birth again
I struggled against the world and delayed my progress

We stumble on and one - but bound to die alone
We continue to move forward but will ultimately face death alone

Pain - I'm selling my soul today
I am sacrificing my well-being for temporary relief

Pain - I need some sympathy
I am seeking comfort and understanding for my suffering

This infiltrates my brain
This idea has taken over my mind

"in the sunshine the sun is mine"
I have a delusional sense of ownership over nature

Pitiless wanderer
I am a merciless nomad