After teasing it yesterday, Swedish metal stalwarts In Flames have dropped a surprise covers EP, Down, Wicked & No Good. The four-track offering features all-new takes on Depeche Mode’s “It’s No Good,” Alice In Chains’ “Down in a Hole” and Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” as well as a live rendition of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” This is not the first time that In Flames have covered Depeche Mode — the Swedes previously took on the British synth-pop pioneers’ “Everything Counts” on their 1997 album, Whoracle. In Flames frontman Anders Fridén has also previously spotlighted Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore as one of his favorite songwriters and a major inspiration.
Down, Wicked & No Good follows up last year’s Battles full-length, In Flames’ 12th studio album overall and their last to feature longtime bassist Peter Iwers and first to feature former Red drummer Joe Rickard.