Metal Reviews

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Yeah, I remember getting the Natural Chaos whatever album with the white cover and blackbirds on it right when it came out. I remember thinking that it seemed a little overproduced. I actually really like that album, but it scared me like the new Stratovarius does. It's a great album, but there are some weird elements starting to show up in more abundance. Anyway point is I never bought another Soilwork album since. Mainly cause some people I didn't think knew shit about metal started liking them and that was the sign to me that something was amiss. Stupid reason, but it is what it is. I am curious what they started to sound like cause from what I have read they pretty much pooped out. Double albums usually suck. Today is the Day is one of the few bands I had faith could do a good one, but they failed too. It's the age old argument. Just make one incredible album. Moonspell just did a double that was pretty good. Better than most I'll admit, but they still could have just taken the best songs from both and made another Night Eternal. BTW I think Night Eternal is Moonspells best album. One the my favorite all time honestly.

I have no idea why anyone would want pre-NBC Soilwork. They surely did that style well, but there wasn't a damn thing unique about them. Now they have their own distinct sound and, quite frankly, I think they're ten times better.

Anyway, my opinion. I just got this album earlier tonight (which was yesterday for all you day-walkers) and have only listened to the first disc. First impression: Thoroughly enjoyable. I need to give it more spins, though.

As for bands doing double discs, I really have no issues with it. Yes, often a band could have taken the best tunes and put them together on one brilliant album, but rarely are those other songs so bad that they can't be enjoyed. Is it really that bad if you've got two discs consisting of good to great songs?

By the way, Best Buy is currently selling this for $7.99. That's a killer deal!

My first impression is somewhat on the fence with this release. I have attempted to listen to the first disc (via Spotify) a couple times now and end up switching to something else. The same thing happened with Sworn to A Great Divide, and to be honest I never came back to that album. Panic Broadcast did alot more for me in the initial listens.

The idea of this being a double album is also pretty daunting, not sure if I will be able to give it my full attention before I look into other albums.

As a whole, Soilwork have always been a band I thought were good, but never as great as they were percieved. Natural Born Chaos was probably the peak, but in terms of memorability I think In Flames (up until Reroute to Remain) beats them out in the melo-death department.

I agree.

Early Soilwork was faceless and generic.

NBC was the most interesting thing they did. Since then they went to pop for my liking.

Devin Townsend.

I was going to ask you who besides Ken consistently perceived them as great on the forum, but then I noticed three 90+ ratings for differing albums on the site, so you definitely had a point that Soilwork is very highly thought of, at least on this website.

20 songs and 84 minutes? Damn, their tracks are getting long

Much better than I expected. I didn't even wanted to buy it, but when I heard some songs on youtube I had to.

I would give something like 90 / 100 or even more. This thing is just so good.

Highlights: Spectrum of Eternity, The Momentary Bliss, Tongue, Vesta, The Winds Wept Mercy, Long Live the Misanthrope, Drowning with Silence, Leech, The Living Infinite II, Rise Above the Sentiment and Parasite Blues.

Pretty much.

I'm convinced that he's one of the best musicians of our generation.

Never enough praise XD

Didn't he produce some of their more recent stuff too?

Metal Archives says....



....Nothing on the matter.

Wikipedia on the other hand:

Vocal production - Sworn To A Great Divide

Of all time. The man is a genius. He'll never get the recognition that the greats of yore receive, but he's up there with the best.

Bah Devin Townsend is overhyped.

*Ducks for cover.*

Sure, it's trendy to be a Devin Townsend fan these days, but he's not overrated. He's underrated.

I'm not a fan of him as a producer tbh

He produces all his stuff.

It works for his music (although even then I'd prefer a "dudes rocking out in a rehearsal space" kind of sound, with the epicness being conveyed by awesome songs and performances) but not so much for any of the bands he's produced that I've heard. Don't like layers and effects and electronics and all that junk that sucks the life out of music.

I think that he does such a wide variety of things that most people will dislike something he's been part of. I meanIt's possible to like some of the Ocean Machine stuff but hate SYL. Or maybe you like his music, but not his personality. Or the other way around. Not sure where I'm going with this.