When you think of Swedish death metal bands which have crossed over into the alternative metal mainstream, the two that pop into your head are In Flames and of course Helsingborg’s Soilwork. Earning a reputation since 1997 as being one of the most impressive melded aggressive bands of the scene, Soilwork has concocting genuinely catchy choruses, guitar hooks, and riffs consistently album to album. With Bjorn “Speed” Strid (Vocalist) and Ola Flink (Bassist), the longest standing members, Sven Karlsson (Keyboards/Samples), Sylvain Coudret (Guitarist), David Andersson (Guitarist), and Dirk Verbeuren (Drummer) round out the line-up; which is as strong as ever. Eight albums deep Soilwork returned with their ninth album titled The Living Infinite (2013), which also happens to be their first double album ever.
The first track on the record entitled “Spectrum Of Eternity” starts off with an orchestrated entrance into a musical journey that breaks into a full on frontal assault of guitar riffs, heavy drums and outstanding vocals. A great opening to the album which will make people stand up on their feet, and throw those metal horns in the air. “Memories Confined” is the next track on the record and it is quiet contradictory to the opening track with a groove that is more bluesy and focused on the melody and chorus, setting up the rest of disc one perfectly. On the following song, “This Momentary Bliss”, the band offers some of the catchiest riffs and melody they have ever put together. The reoccurring vocals sung by Strid make this a refreshing song with a strong chorus. “Tongue” is arguably the record’s biggest highlight, mixing a fast pace moving ahead with its accelerated verses and almost near-theatrical chorus. On the title track, “The Living Infinite I”, we are given one of the most brutal and fast songs on the album with a touch of melody. Keeping up the intensity, “Let The First Wave Rise” is a full on frontal assault of high octane energy, power, and brutality, guaranteed to appease metal music fans from all walks of life.
Taking things down a notch for just a few moments is the next track on the record and it is called “Vesta”. The song opens with a Spanish themed acoustic guitar which quickly builds with strong metal guitar sound, making the song not only catchy but very versatile. “Real of the Wasted” is a more concentrated thrust of the harmonized vocalization of Strid and an onslaught of guitar riffs performed by Andersson and Coudret. Rampaging upbeat drumming of Verbeuren highlights the next track, “The Windswept Mercy”, along with incredibly heavy guitars that place strong emphasis on the melodic end of the spectrum. Closing out disc one is “Whispers And Lights” with more strong vocals and a few brackish beat sequences that make it flow evenly.
Entering into the second disc is the eerie sounding song “Entering Aeons”. With the use of the instrumental tones supported by Strid’s singing, chapter II of it helps to set up the tone for chapter The Living Infinite begins. Long-time fans will find comfort on “Long Live The Misanthrope” with killer riffs and epic soloing that would make even a well groomed guitarist blush red. Keeping up with the record steadily, “Drowning With Silence” embodies the current direction that Soilwork encompasses with heavy bass tones provided by Flink.
The next portion of the album keeps your heartbeat irregular with a mix of slow, mid-tempo, and overdrive songs. Slowing down the mayhem that the record has delivered thus far is “Antidotes In Passing” with a unique combination of improbable pseudo sounds that are addictive. Strid’s voice is clean and rich in texture, making the track completely different from those prior. Bringing things back to hyper drive is “Leech” with a full frontal assault of metal that will make a listener’s jaw drop. “The Living Infinite II” is one of the heaviest tracks on the entire record while remaining catchy. Giving us a more straight forward instrumental song is the mellow “Loyal Shadow”. The atmosphere builds gradually with guitar work techniques enthusiasts will certainly be impressed by.
Continuing the journey with “Rise Above The Sentiment”, listeners will feel as if they are on top of the world with this roller coaster ride of a song. If you are a fan of thundering guitar riffs and melodies, then the next track entitled “Parasite Blues” is right up your alley; showcasing a blues sound in a very metal music fashion. Concluding the album is the song “Owls Predict, Oracles Stand Guard”, which ends up being a fitting selection with its dark and versatile sound.
Releasing a double album is certainly a risky difficult task for any band, whether you are established or not. Many bands that do succeed with a releasing of a double album do so because they have the passion, heart, and determination within them. Soilwork has triumphed with the release of The Living Infinite, giving their fans 20 solidly crafted songs. CrypticRock gives this album a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
- Nuclear Blast
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