I'd say In Flames.
I think Dark Tranquillity are better overall, with maybe only 1 weak album (We are the Void), with the newest one especially being amazing. By far the most complex music, brilliant arrangements, also the band that shot arguably the best live dvd in metal so far. Stanne is also my favorite vocalist, probably the only guy in metal who should actually do cleans more.
But I still have to say In Flames because TJR and Whoracle have some of the best guitar leads ever in my opinion, DT comes super close but still can't exactly touch that atmosphere. Jesper's leads are just so unique.
I love ATG almost as much but for some reason I just never listened to them as intensely as I did IF and DT. I think SoTS, as influential as it is, is heavily overrated (Gates of Ishtar did that pedal riffing 24/7 a bit better even though they came later) and Terminal Spirit Disease is much more original and atmospheric. Definitely a landmark in production too, it's funny how SOTS still sounds better than most things today.
I think Dark Tranquillity are better overall, with maybe only 1 weak album (We are the Void), with the newest one especially being amazing. By far the most complex music, brilliant arrangements, also the band that shot arguably the best live dvd in metal so far. Stanne is also my favorite vocalist, probably the only guy in metal who should actually do cleans more.
But I still have to say In Flames because TJR and Whoracle have some of the best guitar leads ever in my opinion, DT comes super close but still can't exactly touch that atmosphere. Jesper's leads are just so unique.
I love ATG almost as much but for some reason I just never listened to them as intensely as I did IF and DT. I think SoTS, as influential as it is, is heavily overrated (Gates of Ishtar did that pedal riffing 24/7 a bit better even though they came later) and Terminal Spirit Disease is much more original and atmospheric. Definitely a landmark in production too, it's funny how SOTS still sounds better than most things today.