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.
Monsters In The Ballroom
In Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The infinite
The endless static
The doubt, doubt we never had a way
Let us play a game
If you take my hand
I'm going to get you out of here
And the swinging chandeliers
Tormented minds they wander
Drifting away from the light
I will lift you up my friend
You have to learn to breathe again
Let us play a game
If you take my hand
I'm going to get you out of here
Away from the monsters in the ballroom
And the swinging chandeliers
Unlock the secrets
Let us find the memories
Find ourselves some ruins
Turn them into something
You are lost within
Fading out
A world that threw you away
Let us play a game
If you take my hand
I'm going to get you out of here
Away from the monsters in the ballroom
And the swinging chandeliers
The first verse of In Flames's Monsters In The Ballroom describes a sense of disorientation and detachment from reality. The lyrics evoke a feeling of being lost in time and space, trapped in a state of endless static and doubt. The doubt referred to here is likely an existential one, as the singer suggests there is no way out of this disconnected state. However, the following stanza offers a glimmer of hope in the form of a game. If the listener takes the singer's hand, they will be led away from the "monsters" in the ballroom and the swinging chandeliers, symbols of chaos and confusion.
The second verse describes the singer's desire to help a friend who is also lost in a state of mental torment. They offer to lift the friend up and help them learn to breathe again. The game resurfaces as a guiding force, offering an escape from the mental monsters and towards finding memories and ruins to turn into something new. The final stanza returns to the first verse's themes of being lost and fading out. The game still offers an escape, but there is a sense of urgency to it.
Overall, Monsters In The Ballroom is a song about mental disorientation and the power of connection to overcome it. The game serves as a metaphor for the importance of reaching out for help when feeling lost, and the need to find meaning in the ruins of one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Without the sense of space or time
In a state where we are not aware of our surroundings or the passing of time
The infinite
An endless and boundless expanse
The endless static
A continuous and unchanging white noise
The doubt, doubt we never had a way
A feeling of uncertainty and lack of direction, despite never having a clear path in the first place
Let us play a game
An invitation to engage in a mental exercise
If you take my hand
If you allow me to guide you
I'm going to get you out of here
I will help you escape from this negative situation
Away from the monsters in the ballroom
Away from the inner demons that haunt and torment us
And the swinging chandeliers
And the external factors that contribute to our distress
Tormented minds they wander
Individuals suffering from mental anguish aimlessly roam
Drifting away from the light
Moving further from positivity and hope
I will lift you up my friend
I will be a source of support and encouragement
You have to learn to breathe again
You must regain a sense of calmness and composure
Unlock the secrets
Discover what has been hidden or unknown
Let us find the memories
Explore the past that may help us better understand the present
Find ourselves some ruins
Explore the aftermath of destruction or breakdown
Turn them into something
Use those ruins to create something new and positive
You are lost within
Feeling trapped and uncertain about who you are
Fading out
Gradually losing your identity and presence
A world that threw you away
A society that disregards and neglects those who struggle
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anders Friden, Bjorn Gelotte
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockey balboa
the part of the song that starts at 2:16 is insane!!!! I freaking love this band!!!!!!
Discoveringbands by Michael Nagy
Powerful band!!
Jake Stephen
Not the best album In Flames has made, but this song's main riff is fucking unreal!
Ryan Krzciok
Great song. Some grade A riffage for sure. Sounds like something between come clarity and ASOP
Opethfullcovers
@beastlysk8r22 Not at all, sound track to your escape.
Jotun
Riffs in the ballroom.
rockey balboa
I just want to destroy shit when I listen to them. Got me through some hard times in Iraq. Without their sound I dont know if I would have made it
Erin Smith
@rockey balboa I just run, really really fucking fast and hard!
Sawed-off Orc
This song is fairly interesting for new in flames.
Khanzo
Best song in the album ^_^