It seems that lately I’m on a Swedish death metal kick so I thought I’d look into another one of Sweden’s finest and that band is Soilwork. Out of all the bands from Sweden that I’ve reviewed so far, they’re definitely the most melodic. Here goes…….
Steel Bath Suicide- this being their first album which came out in 1999 definitely sounds like a band who has already started developing their sound for later albums. What I mean by that is just listen to the riffs on it and the solos. The main songwriter is Peter Wichers and he is vastly underrated and I would put him up there with the likes of Patrik Jensen from The Haunted. The songs on this album are not very long which is great because I am not too keen on songs going on just for the sake of going on. A great album and I’ll give it a very solid 8/10
Standouts: Entering the Angel Diabolique, Sadistic Lullaby, Steel Bath Suicide
The Chainheart Machine- the second album in terms of production sounds the same as the previous album. I don’t know there is something about the production on both of these records that’s so enjoyable. This would also see the departure of original guitarist Ludvig Svartz and drummer Jimmy Persson and see them being replaced with drummer Henry Ranta, and guitarist Ola Frenning (uncle of Peter Wichers). Personally this is the quintessential guitar team for this band both are great guitarists and complement each other so well. Bjorn Speed Strid’s vocals on these two albums is awesome. The songs on this album are actually longer on this one but the riffs are sped up compared to before. I have a hard time deciding which is better this one or Steel Bath which is why they are tied at 8/10
Standouts: The Chainheart Machine, Neon Rebels, Generation Speedkill (Nice Day For A Public Suicide)
A Predator’s Portrait- the third album with a slightly better production as the last two. The opening song Bastard Chain just hits you and it is definitely the highlight of the album. My biggest complaint about the second song is that it starts off fast but then slows down. I wish they’d have kept that same speed on that one. This is a good album but it dips in terms of speed and the last half just seems like it’s filler. However, the riffs on this are incredible and are memorable. I think the problem that this one had was perhaps not enough time between the last album however Bjorn’s vocals are as powerful and raw as ever and usually by the third album most bands vocalists usually slightly change. I give this one 7/10
Standouts: Bastard Chain, Neurotica Rampage, Like the Average Stalker
Natural Born Chaos- the fourth album is definitely the most melodic so far and Speed’s vocals are one of the highlights. The production is definitely top notch it just sounds so much different than the last 3 albums. Predator’s started sounding this way but you can definitely hear it on this one. It should be noted that original keyboardist Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg has been replaced by new keyboardist Sven Karlsson also, guitar wizard Mattias Eklundh does a guest solo on the song No More Angels, and Strapping Young Lad frontman Devin Townsend does co vocals on Black a Star Deceiver and Soilworker’s Song of the Damned. Another thing that stands out are the keyboards. They sound like they could be on a Japanese video game or something. I give this one a 7/10
Standouts- Follow the Hollow, No More Angels, The Bringer
Figure Number 5- so we come to the fifth album and I don’t know maybe these guys should give more than just a year before releasing album after album. I mean the last 3 albums were all released a year from one another however, out of those albums this one is my favorite. It took me a little bit but this has become my second favorite album from them. There isn’t as much of an emphasis on the keyboards and the riffs are heavy. Speed’s vocals are again great as usual and he goes back to singing faster on this one than he has in the past. When this came out, we had great albums from bands like The Haunted, Arch Enemy, and In Flames so there was something in the air. A great album overall which is why I give this one a 9/10
Standouts- Figure Number 5, Distortion Sleep, Strangler
Stabbing the Drama- finally we get to my favorite album and my introduction to Soilwork. This is one of those rare albums I can listen to all the way through and not get tired of it. Everything about it is great, the riffs, the vocals, the drums, and even the keyboards. I’m really sorry I never went to Ozzfest 2005 because they toured behind this on that festival. Bands like Arch Enemy and The Haunted also put out killer releases around that time and we’re also on that Ozzfest. The one notable thing on this album is that longtime drummer Henry Ranta is gone and has been replaced by (future Megadeth drummer) Dirk Verbeuren. A perfect 10/10
Standouts: Nerve, Distance, Blind Eye Halo
Sworn to a Great Divide- well the biggest thing about this band is that Peter Wichers (founding guitarist and songwriter) is not on this album. This one still is very much a Soilwork album and it’s not bad just not as strong as the previous effort. Ola Frenning does a fine job writing the music for this and new guitarist Daniel Antonsson also does a fine job. The tile track I will say is fucking killer like it’s heavy and brutal and I wished the whole album sounded like it. This one is not as strong as Stabbing but it does have good songs. I give it a 8/10
Standouts: Sworn to a Great Divide, Breeding Thorns, 20 More Miles
The Panic Broadcast- so for this one, we swapped guitarists. First, Ola Frenning leaves and Peter Wichers returns. Then Daniel Antonsson leaves and joins Dark Tranquility and is replaced by now current guitarist Sylvain Coudret. You can definitely tell Peter that Peter is back because the riffs that we all love from this band are back however, if you’re looking for Stabbing the Drama part 2 it’s not here. There’s somewhat of a blues element to it and it’s really cool. Definitely a step up from their previous album which is why I give this one a 9/10
Standouts- Late for the Kill Early for the Slaughter, Let This River Flow, Enter Dog of Pavlov
The Living Infinite- so this is not the second time founding guitarist Peter Wichers left the band. This time he’s been replaced with new guitarist David Andersson. This is also their first double album which makes this their longest album to date. The new guitarist David does a great job filling Peter Wichers’ shoes. My concern was that the sound would change or get softer but that isn’t the case here. The band is still embracing their melodic death metal roots. I give this a very strong 8.5/10
Standouts- This Momentary Bliss, Parasite Blues, Leech
The Ride Majestic- this is probably the first album where it seems to drag. The opening track is awesome but then it drops. I don’t know there was a lot to be desired on this one. Definitely not as strong as their previous album and this time longtime bassist Ola Flink leave the band after the albums recording and replaced by David Wibom. Not my favorite in the bunch it’s just OK. I give it a 5/10
Standouts- Petrichor by Sulphur, The Ride Majestic, Alight in the Aftermath
Verkligheten- well here we are at the most recent album. This one is definitely a step up from the last album. The songs are more refined and they don’t drag on. Not sure why the song Arrival is the first single it seems to me that the one after that Bleeder Despoiler would be a much better choice. This album seems to have elements of rock mixed in too. Overall, this is a great album and I’m curious to see what the album after that sounds like. A very strong 9/10
Standouts: Witan, Stålfågel, Bleeder Despoiler
Wow this one was an interesting one. I didn’t realize how diverse these guys got over the years but they are a great band who make great records. A lot different than say a band like The Haunted or Arch Enemy, they are melodic but heavy.
1. Stabbing the Drama
2. Figure Number 5
3. The Chainheart Machine
4. Verkligheten
5. The Panic Broadcast
6. Steel bath Suicide
7. Sworn to a Great Divide
8. Natural Born Chaos
9. A Predator’s Portrait
10. Living Infinite
11. The Ride Majestic
Sinister Reviews 