Soilwork - A Predator's Portrait

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#FOR FANS OF: Melo Death/Metalcore

This is an interesting album but it doesn't top its predecessor 'The Chainheart Machine'. The riffs are good but not to that caliber. And the vocals are a little more laid back mixed with some clean bits. The music is what's awesome on here. The melodic rhythms that go along with the clean vocals (at times). I liked this release, it is just a little step down from the previous. The leads were outstanding though. As this was the older lineup. These guys have had a great career in music some good releases and some duds. This one is definitely not the latter, it's quality melodic death metal. The intensity is there just not as much.

They mellowed out on this release but the vocals feature a lot of screaming. It's like a mix of melodic death with metalcore. I don't like metalcore much but the music is quality. I just don't like the fact that their intensity lessened hence the "75" rating.

Their modern sound is like this too, their most recent has a lot of mellow parts to them. 'Övergivenheten' which means "The Abandonment" is their latest release that sounds a bit like this. I like both almost equally. They'll never get to the degree of 'The Chainheart Machine' but they're still a good band releasing good music. They just fizzed out whereas they could've progressed musically. I'm still a fan of the band but I just had to lower my expectations of their releases after 'The Chainheart Machine'. There are some good songs on here mainly these: "Neurotic Rampage", "Final Fatal Force" and the title track.

They're dealing with the loss of David Andersson who joined the band in 2012-2022. He died last year at 47 years of age. They can still get to the caliber of this album as they did of their most recent. 'A Predator's Portrait' had some dynamite songs! They've just chilled out.

There will never be a Soilwork of this degree again, but that doesn't mean that they're done as a band. This album is a good follow-up, just not nearly as good as their predecessor. I hope that they keep producing albums though! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2001)
Score: 75

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Soilwork - Overgivenheten

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#FOR FANS OF: Death/Metalcore

This one helluv a catchy album. I'd say one of their best releases since 'A Predator's Portrait. The guitars are simply amazing and the vocals fluctuate sometimes screaming sometimes singing clean. This reminded me a little of metalcore bands but they've got their own sound to them. Sad about losing their guitarist David Andersson. It's tragic as he was only 47. But being his last effort with the band, I thought the riffs were just amazing. Such feel to their album and variety. Between clean vocals, melodic guitar riffs and a solid sound quality in their overall production. What a monument of an album!

There were a lot of clean tone segments but the guitars that were heavy drowned them out. But yeah, those segments of clean work show so much essence to their souls. It's not a super long release but it's so quality in their musicianship.

I've been following Soilwork since 'The Chainheart Machine' came out I believe in 1998. I've always admired their music and songwriting capabilities. They were always tops with me. And this album does the band justice wholeheartedly. I liked this whole release and it shows the emotional state of the band. Mainly the songwriters they were totally innovative and strong. These guys have been making good music since the late 90's. I always liked their melodic death metal genre. Though, nowadays they're more melodic death mix with a little metalcore. It's still likeable material, don't get me wrong, they're just not as heavy as in the early Soilwork days.

These guys still have a great deal to offer despite losing David last year. He was with the band for about 10 years. A lot of his work was with the final release with this one. He was so talented. And that totally shows on this release. Old Soilwork is gone, but the new is still going strong with their melodic music and amazing musicianship! (Death8699)

(Nuclear Blast - 2022)
Score: 80

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Soilwork - The Chainheart Machine

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#FOR FANS OF: Melo Death

I know it's a little much to give this album a perfect score, but I can't say anything except positive things about it. However, I may be biased because melodic death metal is my favorite genre in metal. They seem to fall under this category early on in their career changing some over the years. But this album is a landmark release from these Swedish metallers. A good follow-up release dominating over 'Steelbath Suicide' and my all-time favorite Soilwork album in their entire discography. The energy is full throttle throughout the whole album. There wasn't a song on there that I disliked.

The title-track, "Neon Rebels", "Millionflame" and "Spirits of the Future Sun" are my favorites. They tune their guitars down to B I believe, and they're fast the whole way through. The energy is rampant. How these guys put forth such an effort on here is amazing. The energy they have and the original riffs. Blast! What a wild guitar extravaganza in these songs just shining in metal glory. Their later releases don't compare to this one maybe a close call is 'A Predator's Portrait'. That's about it, I see this release as flawless. The vocals compliment the guitar whole handedly. There were really no clean vocals at all!

The only thing that was not that substantial was the length of the album. It clocked in about 40+ minutes. I would've had liked to hear more length or more songs on here. It still reigns supreme in terms of originality, precision and uncompromising energy. These guys just suffered a loss in David but he was not featured on here as he joined the band I believe in 2012. What a tragedy, though. I'm surprised that the average scores on here was at 79%. I always liked this album the most but the critics are the way they are, even in my text here. However, I felt that this was a pinnacle release by the band.

I ordered this CD to show further support for the band and music in extreme metal altogether. Soilwork has so many peaks and valleys in their discography I'll always view 'A Chainheart Machine' as their best. The music, the vocals, the leads, and overall sound met perfection. You can doubt me well just listen to the album. The riffs, leads and vocals are sublime. I'm glad that this is a part of my collection. Old Soilwork is dead, long live old Soilwork! Pick this up a physical copy don't just cheap out and stream it. It's a critical time for the band, they just lost a brother, show them gratitude! (Death8699)

(Listenable Records - 2000)
Score: 90

https://www.soilwork.org/